Shipping Information

A Shipper's Declaration must be completed before freight is delivered to the warehouse. Where one consignment contains multiple boxes or separate items, a single declaration is used for the consignment, and the issued Freightshop tracking number must appear on every piece so cargo can be matched to its declaration during processing.

Shipments above AUD $1,999.99, and shipments that require permits, are subject to Export Declaration requirements. Shippers may provide their own EDN or provide invoice data for Freightshop to arrange the declaration. The invoice information required includes detailed item descriptions for classification, customs value, Incoterms, invoice terms, country of manufacture (including State for Australian-made goods), currency code, and net weight per line item. Special-case consignments such as personal effects or second-hand goods should be referred to Freightshop before lodgement. Exporters and agents remain responsible for the correctness of export data.

Perishable consignments for the fortnightly freighter service must be booked before noon on the Tuesday preceding that service. The perishable Booking ID must then be included when the shipper declaration is submitted under the perishable service category.

All goods must be clearly labelled with consignee and destination island details, and handling labels must be applied where relevant, such as orientation, refrigerate, freezer, fragile, and do not break down indicators. Every package must carry the Freightshop tracking number. Failure to meet labelling and documentation requirements can result in delays, additional charges, or rejection.

Freight must be packaged in sturdy outer packaging with protrusions protected and prepared for uplift before delivery. Individual packages above 25kg must be palletised. Frozen goods must be sealed in plastic-lined foam eskies. Liquids that are not already in robust outer packaging with screw-top lids must be sealed in plastic bags before being packed into outer packaging. Pop-top paint tins must have lids taped, be bagged with absorbent material, and be sealed inside a sturdy carton. Fine powders such as flour, cement, and grout must be sealed in sturdy plastic bags. Wet ice is not permitted on either service. Repacking may be available only by prior arrangement and subject to conditions.

Dangerous goods must be packed and checked in accordance with current IATA Dangerous Goods requirements, and early lodgement is expected. Batteries are treated as dangerous goods and must be declared, including alkaline and sealed lead-acid types. Lithium batteries travelling without the equipment they are designed to power are forbidden on all island air services.

Lithium batteries packed with equipment or contained in equipment must be declared through the Shipper's Declaration process. Freightshop requires a current Safety Data Sheet (no older than five years from last review), isolation of battery terminals, protection against accidental activation, and clear package identification. Lithium-ion batteries under 100Wh and lithium-metal batteries under 2g lithium content may be accepted under applicable packaging instructions and limits. Higher-capacity lithium-ion batteries and higher-content lithium-metal batteries require full certifiable dangerous goods processing.

Internal combustion engines are treated as used items for acceptance purposes. Items such as generators, chainsaws, and weed cutters are not accepted as non-dangerous goods, and engines not strapped to a pallet require a purge certificate. Additional aircraft restrictions apply to certain dangerous goods classes and quantities, including prohibition of Class 1 explosives and restrictions on certain Class 3 flammable liquids.

Refrigerating machines containing 100 grams or more of 2.1 flammable refrigerant gas are forbidden on all air services. Machines containing less than 100 grams may be eligible under applicable special provision criteria. Freightshop requires manufacturer documentation confirming refrigerant quantity per unit prior to acceptance. If this evidence is not provided, delays or alternate transport arrangements may be required at consignor or consignee responsibility.

Qantas passenger flight freight limits are 25kg maximum per piece and maximum dimensions of 200cm x 70cm x 78cm, with pipe lengths permitted up to 300cm. Passenger flight availability for cargo is subject to passenger and baggage loads, so non-critical consignments should be checked with Freightshop before lodgement.

On the fortnightly freighter service, any single piece exceeding 290cm x 195cm x 120cm or 1000kg requires approved risk assessment before uplift. Freight exceeding 25kg, or with any dimension above 100cm, must be packaged for forklift handling, except long pipes under 25kg. Freight lodged on pallets must account for pallet dimensions and weight in chargeable calculations. Palletised and crated goods must be stackable; non-stackable freight may be cubic-rated to a higher height basis or offloaded if required to accommodate other cargo. Live animals are not permitted on services to the islands.

Freightshop and the airline do not provide cargo insurance liability cover for claims. Parties requiring insurance should arrange separate cover with an insurance broker. Where damage is believed to have resulted from mishandling in transit, an Intent to Claim must be lodged within seven days of uplift.

Freightshop accounts are available for individuals and organisations and can reduce payment-related dispatch delays by allowing account charging before or after uplift rather than requiring payment completion immediately before lodgement.