• Baggage with protruding articles or in severely poor condition.
• Baggage that exceeds maximum weight or size for the type of aircraft in which it will be transported.
• Baggage with hazardous contents, including corrosive liquids and sharp objects without appropriate protection to prevent damage to other passengers' baggage in the cargo hold.
• Dangerous merchandise including any restricted articles, with the exception of dry ice held in an appropriate container used to protect perishable items.
• Excess baggage is subject to service charges and space availability.

The following items are not considered baggage. Therefore, Copa Airlines will require passengers to sign a waiver when checking the following items:

• Antiquities
• Backpacks or sleeping bags made of soft materials or with aluminum frames
• Books and manuscripts
• Child seats or strollers
• Computers
• Containers made of cardboard, paper or plastic
• Firearms (to destinations where they are permitted)
• Garment bags made out of soft vinyl or plastic
• Garment bags containing articles other than clothing
• Glass or porcelain items
• Household items, such as: lamps, plates, furniture, handicrafts, paintings, frames, drawings, statues
• Leather products
• Liquor and glass bottles
• Medicine
• Musical equipment
• Perishable items
• Photographic equipment
• Samples
• Sewing machines
• Sports equipment
• Surgical equipment
• Televisions
• Typewriters
• Umbrellas that are not properly packed

All aforementioned items will be considered unacceptable for transport if they are not packed properly. For more information visit our Special baggage section.

The following are considered to be perishable items:

• Candy and pastries
• Cheese
• Flowers and plants
• Fresh meat
• Frozen meat
• Fruits and vegetables
• Shellfish and fish

Perishable items must be packed in containers with dry ice weighing no more than 4.4 lb (2 kg) as carry-on baggage. These containers should be sturdy and ventilated. Containers made out of styrofoam will not be accepted for the transport of dry ice. The container must indicate that it contains dry ice and other information, including the net weight and a description of the perishable item.

You may also be interested in General Baggage Conditions

Copa Airlines allows the transport of dry ice as long as it is used to conserve perishable items.

If the item in question is packed in dry ice, please make sure that the following conditions are met:

• The perishable items packed in containers with dry ice may not exceed the maximum weight allowed: 2.5 kg or 5 lb per bag.
• The containers should be sturdy, vented and made of plastic. Containers made of polystyrene foam or styrofoam are not permitted for the transport of dry ice.
• Be sure to indicate clearly on the container that it contains dry ice and specify the net weight of the dry ice and what the perishable item is.
• If the perishable item is wrapped in cloth bags, sufficient plastic wrap must also be used to ensure that it does not leak (perishable items that are not wrapped in plastic will not be accepted).
• Dry ice cannot be placed, under any circumstances, in the same compartment or cargo hold with live animals.
• If the item is not packed in dry ice and might leak condensate fluids that could contaminate, soil and/or otherwise damage the cargo hold, the baggage contained in the hold or the cargo itself (e.g., fish, fruit, cooking oils, etc.), the item must be packed in one of of the following manners before it will be accepted for transport:

The products must be wrapped in sturdy plastic and placed in plastic or styrofoam ("Icopor") coolers. The cooler then also must be wrapped in plastic.

The products must be wrapped in plastic, placed in a cardboard box, and the box itself then wrapped in plastic.

Note: The plastic used must be sufficiently waterproof to prevent leaks. In addition, no fluid should leak outside the inner wrapping.