FAQ

Please click here to see the list of categories, and explanations for when each should be selected.

Please follow the link for a step-by-step guide to book your perishables. Link

Please follow the link to help better service your bulk perishable goods: Perishable Pallets

All Office of Transport Security regulations for airfreight apply as usual when sending cargo to the islands. The main difference being that although Christmas & Cocos (K) Islands are part of Australia, they are deemed External Territories  and therefore Australian Customs and Quarantine enforce 100% compliance on international freight rules & regulations. In order to comply with their regulations Freightshop will require a Shipper’s Declaration for every shipment. For shipments valued greater than $1,999.99 (AUD) Customs Invoices are also required.

A Shipper’s Declaration (also known as a Shipper’s Letter of Instruction (SLI) is an electronic form that needs to be completed on our website prior to the delivery of goods to our warehouse. The Shipper’s Declaration is just like a consignment note you would fill in when sending freight with other courier companies. We require all the information on the Shipper’s Declaration to be completed as this allows us to promptly and efficiently process your shipment. It is the responsibility of the Shipper to complete this form, it cannot be completed by the receiving party. This is important as the Shipper has packed the freight and is fully aware of the shipment’s contents, whereas the receiver is only assuming the contents and cannot legally make a dangerous goods declaration.

Islanders ordering goods, please ensure your supplier is happy to complete a Shipper’s Declaration and Customs Invoice (for shipments with value greater than AUD $1999.99.) It’s common for Freightshop to be told by suppliers that they were not informed by the receiver about the process involved. This sometimes leads to an awkward situation where suppliers refuse to conform and receivers are left without their goods.

EDN is short for Export Declaration Number. Export declarations provide Customs & Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) with details about goods intended for export. The Australian Customs Service’s Integrated Cargo System (ICS) processes the information provided and issues an Export Declaration Number (EDN) upon acceptance. An EDN consists of nine alphanumeric characters. An EDN is required for exported goods with a customs value greater than $1999.99 (AUD) .

Freightshop requires Customs Invoices in order to process an EDN Shipment. Please see the 7 requirements to a Customs Invoice  (To speed up the processing of your shipment, please upload your Customs Invoices when completing the Shipper’s Declaration online, if the invoice isn’t available at the time please send at your earliest possible convenience to Heather).  Email: compliance@freightshop.com.au  Phone: (08) 9477 6088.

Please see our Customs Invoice Template for download, if you are unsure of the information or format required.

Please refer to our Dangerous Goods page. The page will explain how to go about finding if your product is a Dangerous Good. If you are ever unsure please contact Freightshop with your enquiry. Just because you bought your product off the shelf at “Bunnings” doesn’t mean that it is safe for air travel. Please remember that properly declaring Dangerous Goods is for the safety of everyone flying on the aircraft, this could include your friends and family!

Sending Lithium Batteries by air can be complicated with many different rules to adhere to. Freightshop can simplify the process providing we receive the correct information.

Lithium Batteries travelling without the equipment they are designed to power are FORBIDDEN on all air services to the islands.

When Delivering goods containing Lithium Batteries please abide by the following:

1. All shipments containing Lithium Ion / Metal Batteries packed with or contained within equipment must be declared when submitting a Freightshop Shipper’s Declaration.

2. Provide a Safety data Sheet (SDS) no older than 5 years from the current date to accompany the goods

3. Have battery terminals isolated and devices protected from accidental activation

4. The Package/s containing Lithium batteries must be easily identifiable and marked

Lithium Ion Batteries that are less than 100wH in capacity will be permitted to travel as cargo under a Lithium Packaging Instruction. (With the following restrictions. No more than 5kg Net of Batteries per package, correct equipment piece count to match allowable number of batteries being sent.)

Lithium Ion Batteries exceeding 100wH in capacity must be declared as a fully certifiable Dangerous Good.
Please contact Freightshop for a fee structure regarding Lithium Batteries that are fully certifiable and/or travelling under a packaging instruction.

Lithium Metal Batteries that contain less than 2 grams of Lithium will be permitted to travel as cargo under a Lithium Packaging Instruction. (With the following restrictions. No more than 2.5kg Net of Batteries per package, correct equipment piece count to match allowable number of batteries being sent.)

Lithium Metal Batteries that contain more than 2 grams of Lithium must be declared as a fully certifiable Dangerous Good. Please contact Freightshop for a fee structure regarding Lithium Batteries that are fully certifiable and/or travelling under a packaging instruction.

For a detailed explanation on Lithium batteries by air please see Lithium Battery Guidance Document (IATA 2018)

IOT Air Freight Lodgement Deadlines From 1^st July 2020

** Shipments containing any ambient/general cargo will need to be delivered by noon Wednesday, with Life Saving Medical items being the exception.

Between noon Wednesdays and noon Thursdays, only Perishables and Medical consignments will have screening priority due to the nature and sensitivity of the commodityAny consignment lodged within this timeframe, containing ambient cargo will receive the lowest priority.

New conditions are in effect for fresh solanaceous fruit and vegetables
purchased in Western Australia and imported into the Indian Ocean
Territories (IOT) of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
These conditions have been put in place to reduce the likelihood of the
spread of tomato‑potato psyllid (TPP) associated with the movement of the
following fresh fruit and vegetables.

Please see full fact sheet here for more details

Freightshop has a large capacity cool room capable of storing approximately 30 pallets of perishable food and a freezer capable of storing roughly 6 pallets of frozen goods. Our coolroom is set between 3-5 degrees celcius and the freezer at -18 degrees celcius to keep your product fresh. If you have questions about perishables please contact our warehouse on (08) 9477 6088 or email warehouse@freightshop.com.au

Yes, for non-account holders Freightshop will only uplift shipments we have received full payment for. Shipments received in our warehouse will be held until payment  and/or remittance advice is received. This process also applies to account holders who have overdue accounts. If you wish to apply for an account please see here.

Communicating your requirements to Freightshop is critical. Never assume your cargo will uplifted on a specific service. If your cargo is critical, please do not hesitate in giving Freightshop a call on 08 9477 6088 or send us an email to perth@freightshop.com.au to discuss options.

During peak times the fortnightly Freighter service can become completely full. There are many factors that can also contribute to a reduced payload such as weather events, runway works, technical issues and COVID restrictions.

Processed cargo will be lodged under the following categories in an descending order of priority:

Category 1 – Aircraft on Ground Spares (AOG) – This is critical to keep aircraft operational and is of the highest priority. This is standard international practice that airlines carry another operators AOG Spares.  (Will be loaded before passengers and baggage)

Category 2 – Life Saving Medical – This category is only for Medical goods that will sustain life. General medicines do not apply. (Will be loaded before passengers and baggage)

Category 3 – Perishables – This category covers any cargo requiring cold chain in order to maintain product integrity. All perishable food products, some medical and laboratory products.

Category 4 – Australia Post Mail  -This is mail that has been lodged with us via Australia Post.

Category 5 – Priority General Cargo – This applies to general cargo where the premium freight rate has been paid.

Category 6 – General Cargo – This applies to cargo that does not fit any of the above categories and the basic freight rate has been paid.

Communicating your requirements to Freightshop is critical. Never assume your cargo will uplifted on a specific passenger service.

Cargo space on Virgin passenger services is subject to passenger numbers, excess baggage, runway conditions and weather at all airports including alternate airports. Freightshop receive an indication of available cargo space 72 hrs prior to flight departure, this can change depending on the above factors. The allocated space can only be locked in after the final weather forecast is made available, this isn’t till noon the day before the flight.

If you have urgent requirements for a specific Virgin service, please contact Freightshop to make your intent known so we can find the best solution.

Email: perth@freightshop.com.au  Phone: (08) 9477 6088

Booked cargo will be lodged under the following categories in an descending order of priority. (Dependent on allocated space)

Category 1 – Aircraft on Ground Spares (AOG)

Category 2- Life Saving Medical

Category 3- Perishables

Category 4- Australia Post Mail

Category 5- Priority General Cargo

Category 6- General Cargo

Category Explanations:

Category 1 – Aircraft on Ground Spares (AOG) This is critical to keep aircraft operational and is of the highest priority. This is standard international practice that airlines carry another operators AOG Spares.  (Will be loaded before passengers and baggage)

Category 2- Life Saving Medical. This category is only for Medical goods that will sustain life. General medicines do not apply. (Will be loaded before passengers and baggage)

Category 3- Perishables. This category covers any cargo requiring cold chain in order to maintain product integrity. All perishable food products, some medical and laboratory products.

Category 4- Australia Post Mail. This is mail that has been lodged with us via Australia Post.

Category 5- Priority General Cargo. This applies to general cargo where the premium freight rate has been paid.

Category 6- General Cargo. This applies to cargo that does not fit any of the above categories and the basic freight rate has been paid.

See Virgin Australia’s 2022 Review on Indian Ocean Territories Operations

Freightshop can pick-up or deliver to most locations world-wide, by air or sea. Utilising 25 years of experience servicing your unique location, Freightshop can help you navigate by linking with other forwarders. We may be able avoid Duty and GST expenses incurred by clearing your cargo into mainland Australia. Please forward enquiries to perth@freightshop.com.au