On-Board Courier (OBC) is a premium hand-carry delivery service where a professional courier personally transports urgent shipments as accompanied baggage on commercial flights.
Key characteristics:
- Courier travels on the same flight as the package
- Package remains in courier's custody throughout the journey
- Fastest possible delivery for time-critical shipments
- Typically used for automotive parts, aerospace components, medical samples, prototypes
Legal framework:
- OBC shipments are classified as "accompanied baggage" under IATA regulations
- Must comply with airline dangerous goods regulations
- Requires proper commercial documentation (invoice, waybill)
- Subject to customs clearance at destination
When to use OBC:
- Line stoppage prevention (automotive, manufacturing)
- AOG (Aircraft on Ground) situations
- Medical emergencies (samples, organs, medications)
- Confidential prototypes and documents
- Time-sensitive legal or financial documents