Delta Cargo in Atlanta: How to Ship, Receive, and Navigate Hartsfield–Jackson Like a Pro

If you’re moving pets, shipping urgent parts, or handling commercial freight through Atlanta, you’ll almost certainly run into Delta Cargo at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Atlanta is Delta’s largest hub, and that makes its cargo operation a major gateway for shipments across the U.S. and around the world.

This guide walks you through how Delta Cargo Atlanta works, where to go, what to expect, and how to avoid common problems—whether you’re a business shipper, a pet owner, or just picking up a package.

Where Delta Cargo Is Located in Atlanta

Delta Cargo operates from the cargo facilities on the south side of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

You’ll typically see references to:

• Delta Cargo (ATL) – Domestic and International Cargo Facilities
• Located near Airport Blvd / Aviation Blvd on the south cargo side of the airport

Because layouts and exact building entrances can shift over time with airport construction, it’s wise to:

• Use a GPS or map app and search “Delta Cargo Atlanta” or “Delta Cargo Hartsfield-Jackson”
• Follow airport signage for “Cargo / Air Cargo / South Cargo”
• Allow extra time the first time you drive in—cargo roads can feel like a maze if you’re used to the passenger terminals

📞 For hours, building numbers, and current procedures, call Delta Cargo customer service or the general Hartsfield–Jackson airport information line before you go. Policies and facility assignments can change.

What Delta Cargo Atlanta Actually Does

Atlanta’s Delta Cargo operation supports both local and connecting freight. From an Atlanta consumer or business standpoint, it generally handles:

• General air freight (boxes, pallets, commercial shipments)
• Time-sensitive shipments (medical supplies, high-value parts—subject to eligibility and packaging rules)
• Pet shipping through cargo (when offered and permitted)
• Live animal handling for animals traveling as checked baggage or cargo on Delta flights
• Drop-off and pickup for shipments: Atlanta-origin, Atlanta-destination, and some transit shipments that clear here

Delta uses a mix of its own staff and ground handling partners in Atlanta. As a customer, you’ll usually just deal with Delta Cargo’s front counter and follow their posted procedures.

Types of Shipments Commonly Handled in Atlanta

1. General and Commercial Cargo

If you’re a business in Atlanta shipping to another city—or you’re receiving goods from elsewhere—Delta Cargo can move:

• Boxes and crates
• Pallets on skids
• Industrial parts and equipment
• Some retail or e-commerce shipments (often arranged by a logistics company)

Many Atlanta businesses use Delta Cargo to reach:

• Northeast and Midwest cities overnight
• West Coast and international markets with faster transit than truck

You normally need:

• A Delta Cargo account or a freight forwarder arranging the shipment
• Proper labeling, packing, and any required documents (for example, for international shipments or hazardous materials)

2. Pet and Live Animal Shipping

Atlanta is a major hub for pet and live animal travel on Delta. Depending on current company policies and seasonal restrictions, Delta may handle:

• Pets traveling as accompanied checked baggage (through passenger terminals, but animals may be processed partly through cargo)
• Animals shipped as live animal cargo (when allowed under current rules)
• Service and support animals traveling with passengers (though these typically go through the passenger side, cargo may handle routing behind the scenes)

If you live in Atlanta and are planning to ship a pet:

• Check current rules directly with Delta before making any plans
• Ask whether your animal will be dropped off at cargo or at the main terminal
• Confirm temperature restrictions (Atlanta heat in summer can trigger embargoes or limit when pets can travel)

3. Time-Critical and Special Handling

Delta’s Atlanta hub handles a lot of:

• Time-critical shipments (e.g., certain medical products, urgent aircraft parts)
• High-value or sensitive cargo needing special handling and security
• Perishables (food, flowers, temperature-sensitive items) moving in and out of the Atlanta market

These shipments often require:

• Pre-arranged booking
• Specific packaging and labeling
• Prompt pickup on arrival in Atlanta to avoid storage or spoilage

Getting to Delta Cargo at Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL)

Driving Directions Basics

When you’re coming from most parts of metro Atlanta:

1. Take I-85 or I-285 toward Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
2. Follow signs not for the main passenger terminals, but for “Cargo / Air Cargo / South Cargo.”
3. Once on the airport road network, follow the directional signs for Delta Cargo specifically.
4. Park only in designated visitor/shipper parking areas near the cargo building you’re directed to.

Because cargo roads are more industrial, it’s smart to:

• Give yourself an extra 20–30 minutes for your first visit.
• Bring a photo ID and any shipment paperwork.
• Watch for trucking traffic and follow posted speed limits and safety zones.

Public Transportation and Rideshare

Delta Cargo is not directly next to the Domestic or International passenger terminals, so:

• MARTA will get you to the airport, but you will still need a rideshare, taxi, or shuttle to cross over to the cargo side.
• Rideshare drivers may not know precisely where the cargo buildings are, so be ready with:
  • The term “Delta Cargo”
  • The fact that it’s on the south cargo side of the airport
  • Any building number or cross street listed in your shipment email

What to Expect When Dropping Off Cargo in Atlanta

If you’re shipping something out of Atlanta via Delta Cargo, your experience usually looks like this:

1. Before You Go

• Book the shipment in advance, either:
  • Through a Delta Cargo account
  • Through a freight forwarder or logistics company
• Confirm:
  • Drop-off time window
  • Required ID and paperwork
  • Packaging and labeling standards
  • Any special handling instructions (e.g., live animals, perishable items)

For pets or live animals, you’ll need to:

• Use an approved kennel
• Provide any required health certificates and documents
• Verify check-in cutoff times, which are often earlier than cargo for inanimate goods

2. At the Delta Cargo Facility

Once you arrive at the Atlanta cargo building:

• Park where directed
• Proceed to the Delta Cargo customer service counter
• Present:
  • A government-issued photo ID
  • Your air waybill number or shipment confirmation
  • Any required supporting documents (commercial invoice, health certificate, etc.)

Staff will usually:

• Weigh and measure the shipment
• Check packaging compliance
• Confirm routing and charges (if applicable)
• Provide a receipt or copy of the air waybill

3. Security and Screening

Cargo may be subject to:

• Security screening (similar in concept to baggage screening)
• Possible inspection if there are questions about labeling, packaging, or documentation

To avoid delays:

• Clearly label contents, shipper, and consignee
• Follow hazardous materials rules precisely—many hazardous items are not accepted from individuals
• Arrive early relative to the flight time; cargo cutoff times are typically earlier than passenger check-in times

Picking Up Delta Cargo Shipments in Atlanta

If your shipment is arriving in Atlanta, your role is usually:

• The “consignee” (receiver) on the air waybill
• Responsible for pickup and any duties or fees

How Pickup Typically Works

1. Wait for Arrival Confirmation

   • You may get a call, text, or email from a freight forwarder or Delta Cargo when the shipment is “arrived” and “ready for pickup”.
   • Don’t go to the cargo facility until it’s officially ready—planes landing doesn’t always mean cargo is released.

2. Bring Required Documents

   • Government-issued ID
   • Air waybill number or shipment reference
   • For business shipments, sometimes company documentation or a letter of authorization if the person picking up isn’t the named consignee

3. Check for Fees or Clearance

   • There may be:
     • Handling or storage charges if pickup is delayed
     • Customs or import procedures for international shipments (sometimes handled offsite before you see the cargo)

4. Load and Transport

   • Bring a vehicle suited to the shipment size:
     • Car or SUV for small boxes
     • Van or pickup truck for larger crates
     • Liftgate or dock access for pallets (common for businesses)
   • Delta staff can move cargo to a loading area, but loading into your vehicle is often your responsibility.

Delta Cargo Atlanta for Local Businesses

Atlanta’s role as a logistics hub makes Delta Cargo important for:

• Manufacturers and distributors in south metro and near I-75, I-85, and I-285
• Automotive, tech, and industrial suppliers needing fast delivery to customers or plants elsewhere
• E-commerce and retail businesses that occasionally require urgent air freight

Key points for Atlanta businesses:

• Consider setting up a Delta Cargo account if you ship regularly.
• Many companies work through a freight forwarder or 3PL (third-party logistics provider) based in or near Atlanta to handle:
  • Booking
  • Packaging
  • Customs clearance
• Check cutoff times specific to Atlanta; as a major hub, ATL may have more frequent departures but also more volume to process.

Special Considerations for Pet Travel Through Atlanta

Because Atlanta is hot in summer and a busy hub year-round, pet travel requires extra attention:

• Heat and Cold Embargoes
  In high-heat months (often common in Atlanta from late spring through early fall), some pet cargo shipments may be:

  • Restricted or embargoed during the hottest parts of the day
  • Limited to certain breeds or routing options

• Connection Times at ATL
  If your pet is connecting through Atlanta:

  • Confirm that connection times meet Delta’s minimum requirements for live animals.
  • Ask if your pet will be handled in a climate-controlled area during any layover.

• Drop-Off and Pick-Up Locations
  Delta may:

  • Use the passenger terminal check-in for some pet bookings
  • Use Delta Cargo facilities for others
    Always double-check the latest procedure for your specific itinerary.

For Atlanta-based pet owners, it’s wise to:

• Call Delta well in advance of your planned travel date.
• Have a backup plan in case weather or policies temporarily limit pet travel.

Common Issues Atlanta Shippers Run Into—and How to Avoid Them

1. Arriving at the Wrong Place (Passenger Terminal vs. Cargo)

Many people unfamiliar with air cargo head to the main domestic terminal instead of the cargo complex.

✅ Tip:
Always verify if your instructions say “Delta Cargo” and if there’s a specific cargo address or building number. If you see departures boards and TSA lines, you are in the wrong place.

2. Missing Cutoff Times

Atlanta’s busy flight schedule means cutoffs are strict.

✅ Tip:

• Ask for exact cargo cutoffs for your flight/route when booking.
• Aim to arrive at least 30–60 minutes before the stated cutoff, especially on your first visit or during peak traffic.

3. Incomplete Documentation

Shipments can be delayed or refused if you don’t bring what’s required.

✅ Tip:

• Before heading to the cargo facility, confirm you have:
  • Air waybill number
  • Any commercial invoices, import/export documents, or health certificates
  • Proper labels and contact details on the package

4. Parking and Access Confusion

The cargo side is industrial and not as intuitive as the passenger terminal.

✅ Tip:

• Follow posted visitor/shipper parking signs.
• Observe loading zones and no-parking areas; enforcement can be strict near active loading docks.

Quick Reference: Delta Cargo Atlanta Essentials

How to Decide if Delta Cargo Atlanta Is Right for Your Shipment

If you’re in Atlanta (or shipping to Atlanta), Delta Cargo may be a good fit if:

• You need faster-than-truck delivery to another city.
• Your shipment lines up with Delta’s cargo size, weight, and content rules.
• You’re comfortable either:
  • Working directly with Delta Cargo, or
  • Using a freight forwarder to handle the logistics.

For infrequent or complicated shipments—especially international, hazardous, or high-value freight—many Atlanta individuals and small businesses choose to:

• Consult with a local freight forwarder or logistics provider
• Ask them to coordinate with Delta Cargo and manage documents, insurance, and customs

That way, you still benefit from Atlanta’s status as a major Delta hub, without having to become a cargo expert yourself.