Seafood (including fresh seafood, shrimp, fish of all kinds, live lobsters, live crabs, and live crawfish), meat, fowl, game, and other perishable foods:

• must be suitably packed in leak-proof containers (Styrofoam or other plastic foam containers are not acceptable for frozen/unfrozen perishable food)
• must be wrapped in heavy plastic
• must be securely sealed to prevent leakage (except when used for live seafood shipments where air flow is required), and
• Styrofoam (or other plastic foam) inserts should be used between the plastic bag and the inner wall of the carton

If the items require refrigeration, they should be packed with a self-contained refrigerant, such as ice packs, dry ice, or wet ice. Perishable food is subject to a limited release of liability and inspection by a Southwest Airlines Employee. Customers are not entitled to reimbursement or compensation for damage in situations where a limited release of liability applies.

Learn more about traveling with agriculture items to/from Hawaii.

Shipments packed in wet ice are not accepted unless the ice is contained in sealed polyethylene bags. Frozen gels or dry ice/carbon dioxide are the preferred refrigerants.

Dry ice/carbon dioxide

Dry ice may be used as a refrigerant for perishables on domestic flights under the following limitations:

• Up to 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) per person in checked and carryon baggage.
• The package must be designed to permit the release of carbon dioxide gas to prevent buildup of pressure.
• All packages transported as checked baggage must have a WN-659 Dry Ice Label (provided at the Southwest® ticket counter or departure gate) affixed or be marked with:
• DRY ICE or CARBON DIOXIDE, SOLID.
• The name of the contents being cooled.
• The net weight of the dry ice or an indication that the net weight is 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) or less.
• The package markings are not required for carryon baggage.
• In limited circumstances, dry ice may be accepted only in carryon baggage.
• Southwest prohibits transporting dry ice on international flights.
• Visit the FAA’s PackSafe for Passengers for additional information.

Traveling on an itinerary involving a partner airline? Keep in mind that the partner airline may have different guidelines.