Air India Dead Body Transport Charges — UAE to India Cargo Rates and Rules

Air India's Flat Cargo Rates

Air India publishes a flat rate for transporting human remains from the UAE to any Indian sector; weight limits still apply:

• Adult remains: AED 1,500 flat rate
• Child remains (under 12): AED 750 flat rate

These rates cover the air freight itself. They do not include embalming, coffin, ground transportation to the airport, or any documentation fees. Request a separate quote for handling and coffin costs; zinc-lined international coffins are listed at AED 1,840–4,500 in the UAE.

Booking Process

You cannot walk up to the Air India cargo counter with a casket. The booking sequence works through a certified cargo agent or funeral director:

1. Complete all municipal and consular documentation first — the UAE death certificate, police NOC, Indian consular NOC, embalming certificate, and eCARe provisional clearance
2. The cargo agent submits the booking request to Air India's cargo department with copies of all documents
3. Air India verifies the Provisional Conditional Clearance Certificate from the eCARe portal
4. Once approved, the airline issues an Airway Bill (AWB) confirming the booked space

The airline will not physically load the casket without verifying the eCARe clearance certificate. Missing this document at the cargo check-in desk means the remains do not fly that day.

Coffin Requirements for Air Transit

Indian health regulations and IATA guidelines require the body to be:

• Chemically embalmed by a licensed facility
• Placed in a hermetically sealed, zinc-lined wooden coffin to prevent leaks during transit
• Packed to WHO and IATA airworthiness standards

The zinc lining is non-negotiable — a standard wooden coffin without it will be rejected at the cargo check. Zinc-lined international coffins cost AED 1,840–4,500 in the UAE depending on the supplier.

Emirates and Other Carriers

Emirates Airline also transports human remains as cargo on their scheduled flights. Emirates requires the same documentation chain (death certificate, embalming certificate, consular NOC, eCARe clearance) and imposes similar packaging standards. Rates vary by route and are quoted per booking rather than published as flat rates.

For families with flexibility on timing, Air India's flat rate is usually the most predictable option. For families needing a specific destination airport that Air India does not serve directly, Emirates or another Gulf carrier may be the only option — but expect higher and less transparent pricing.

The Indian Dies in the UAE — Family Guide includes a carrier comparison table, the cargo booking checklist, and packaging specifications.