FAQs
Why not leave your freight worries to Exportair’s experienced Staff?
Sending your goods with Exportair
Exportair can offer a door to door service, but more commonly & cost-effectively we provide a door to airport service whereby you or the receiver (consignee) collect the cargo at the airport.
Exportair, and most freight forwarders, will ship your goods as “cargo”.
In most cases, your freight will arrive at the cargo department of the airline (or their agent) in the specified destination.
You will be contacted by the airline and will need to arrange clearance and collection of your items.
Customs duties, taxes or terminal fees in the importing country will need to be met by you or the receiver in the destination country.
Some countries will require you to employ an agent to clear these goods for you prior to you taking receipt of them. This is standard practice.
As part of the World Baggage Network, we can also offer delivery to the door in many destinations by using our counterparts overseas who will assist with clearing customs and delivery.
As another option for delivery of your freight to your door, we have access to preferential rates from all domestic and international couriers operating out of Perth.
You can choose to deliver your goods to our offices near Perth Airport’s international terminal, or we can make arrangements for one of our experienced drivers to pick them up from your home or business.
We offer a Free Pick-Up Service in Perth Metropolitan area
They will weigh it on the spot, complete the required documentation with you and deliver it to the airport ready for shipment.
To book a pickup please call (+618) 9477 1080
The forward planning of pick-ups is important.
If possible, please contact us 2-3 days prior to the pickup so we can arrange a suitable time slot. During busier periods, we may need more notice.
Preferably, all packages will be well packed, sealed and clearly labelled with your name and the address at your destination.
In order to minimise delays, it is kindly requested that packages are ready for collection at the front of your home, hotel or business at the arranged time.
Additional fees may be charged where pick-ups are from high rise apartment buildings.
Our staff will assist you with the completion of all documentation.
To complete this task, we require you to provide your:
Identification
[valid Government-issued identification is sufficient e.g. your passport or Australian driver’s licence]Visa details (only if applicable)
You will be required to provide details of the receiver of the cargo (the consignee) and complete a packing list & freight declaration.
For commercial shipments, you will need to provide a commercial invoice and possibly an export permit (dependent on the commodity being exported).
Exportair is an IATA approved cargo agent.
As such, all goods sent by Exportair are covered automatically by a mandatory airline insurance cover. This is included in the freight cost.
This insurance is provided by the airline, not by Exportair.
Each kilogram (gross weight) is covered for USD $20 against negligence or wilful damage by the airline (carrier) providing there has been no contributory negligence by the shipper, consignee or other claimant, eg: insufficient packaging.
If required Exportair is able to offer additional insurance cover. Please contact us.
Occasionally goods may arrive with damage to them. You must check the conditions of your goods at the destination before you sign for them. If this happens, you must not sign for the goods. You must insist on having a survey done by the airline or responsible agent.
You must also quote the air waybill number at all times. If a claim is necessary, it is important you keep a copy of all correspondence. If you need to lodge a claim against the airline, this should be done without delay, and it should be done at the destination.
Exportair is an Accredited Air Cargo Agent with the Australian Department of Infrastructure & Regional Development. As such, we maintain a high security standard for all goods handled.
Generally, your goods will take approximately 10 days to reach their destination.
However, during peak periods, arrival times may vary.
You can check progress on the Exportair website (link) or the Track-And Trace Aircargo website (link).
At the Destination airport, you will be contacted immediately by the airline’s cargo department or the ground handling agent for the airline by telephone.
They will advise you where your goods are being held for collection.
Exportair will always provide you with the contact details for the airline cargo department (or their agent) in your destination.
We recommend that you are pro-active, track your freight (link)and contact them so you can efficiently receive your belongings.
This will also help you to avoid storage fees (link).
The airline or their agent will notify you by phone after your goods have arrived. We will also advise you of the contact details of the carrier concerned where possible.
If you’ve opted for our more popular airport-to-airport service, please be aware that in the destination country it does not include:
- terminal fees
- customs clearance
- quarantine fees (if required)
- delivery to your door
Goods can be transported without purchasing an airline ticket
Yes.
We offer a door to door service to all states and territories within Australia using domestic courier services.
We can also provide domestic air freight services.
Collecting your cargo at the destination
What do I need to collect my cargo at the destination?
Be sure to keep your air waybill (AWB) number.
You must always quote the air waybill number in all matters pertaining to your shipment. This would have been provided to you by Exportair at the initial stages of the freight process.
Be sure that have with you (or the nominated receiver) has some form of government issued identification that is recognised by the local authorities such that you can be identified as the correct consignee/receiver of the shipment.
If you choose to send someone who isn’t named on the AWB to collect on your behalf, remember that you will need to provide them with a letter of authority that allows them to do so.
Storage fees at your destination
Once your goods arrive at your destination, please remember to collect them promptly.
If you use our website to track your cargo, then you will hopefully avoid any storage fees at the destination.
There is usually a period of free storage allowed. In most cases, fees will begin to accrue after a period of 2 days.
Free storage periods do vary from country to country. As does the method by which fees are imposed, but are usually charged on a per kilogram per day basis.
Terminal fees at your destination
A terminal fee is normally charged by authorities in the destination country. It is sometimes termed an import fee.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to provide you with an up-to-date list of these charges for every destination as they change without notice. However, most countries will impose a fee (in their local currency) that is under AUD $100. Unfortunately, there is no mechanism where you can prepay the fee.
Customs and Quarantine at your destination
It is your responsibility to clear customs (and quarantine if required). You are responsible for any taxes or duties imposed at your destination.
Please allow time to clear your goods through customs, prior to you being able to collect them. It is always a good idea to check with the airline/agent and customs on their opening hours.
You must check the conditions of your goods before you sign for them. Occasionally goods may arrive with damage to the goods. If this happens you must not sign for the goods. You must insist on having a survey done by the airline or responsible agent. It is the airline/agents duty to trace your shipment. You must also quote the airway bill number at all times. If a claim is necessary, it is important you keep a copy of all correspondence. If you must lodge a claim against the airline, this should be done without delay, and it should be done at the destination.
Packing
Packing is an important aspect of ensuring your goods reach their destination undamaged.
Even though Exportair will label each of your items with three separate identifying stickers, we recommend that you label each bag, suitcase or carton with your name, address and telephone number.
If you will be collecting these items yourself, it is a good idea to watch the weight of each item.
Keep your items at a weight that you are comfortable lifting.
As we have a free pick up service you might not notice the weight initially, but it may prove cumbersome at your destination.
It is recommended to use new cardboard cartons, or better-quality suitcases. In all cases common sense prevails, all packaging materials should be strong and durable.
If you are using boxes or cartons, we recommend the use of new, double-walled cartons and not old second-hand boxes.
If you require new cartons, please contact Exportair. We stock a larger double-walled tea-chest carton and a smaller strengthened cardboard book carton.
We also recommend clear packaging tape as it does seem to adhere better to cardboard.
Please be aware of the danger of void areas in your cartons – try not to under pack them. These voids will weaken your carton and your goods may get damaged. If you are in any doubt, please contact us as we can offer you some advice on how to minimise internal movement.
Obviously, if you intend to send fragile items then they require extra attention from you in during the packing process. Try to cushion fragile items as much as possible and position them centrally. Fragile items if damaged or lost may not be covered by compensation cover.
As an extra service we can wrap your cargo.
Security is a big motivation. Wrapping provides an extra layer of protection.
Protection is another benefit. Wrapping will hopefully protect your bags and cartons from rough handling and adverse weather.
Exportair does not provide a packing service, however we can refer you to reputable colleagues who can assist.
Exportair can offer you industry approved packaging cartons as follows:
Book Cartons (strengthened corrugated cardboard)
$5.00 each
41cm x 44cm x 31cm
Removal Cartons / Tea Chests (double-wall corrugated cardboard)
$7.00 each
62cm x 44cm x 47cm
Quality Packaging Tape $3.00 per roll
Some items are very large in size but light in actual weight e.g.: surfboards, bicycles or televisions.
This type of item is usually assessed on a ‘volumetric’ basis.
The airline charges us based on the space taken up in the aircraft’s hold.
The standard formula for calculating volumetric international air freight is:
Length (cm) x Width (cm) x Height (cm) divided by 6,000.
For example, an item measuring 52cm x 94cm x 61cm equates to 49.69 kilograms which rounds up to 50 kilograms.
This figure is the volumetric weight and this weight will be used if it is greater than the actual weight.
There are some limits and restrictions, but they can be sent. Please contact us to discuss.
Important!
Be sure that you are allowed to import your items into the desired country.
There are sometimes different rules for permanent residents.
There are sometimes limits to the amount of personal effects you are allowed to import into a given country without the imposition of fees, duties and taxes.
Be aware of the true definition of personal effects.
Personal effects are typically viewed as used items that have been in a person’s possession for at least 12 months. Most countries offer a generous duty-free allowance on personal effects, which means your personal effects shipment will not normally be stopped by customs.
You can help keep air travel one of the safest means of transportation by observing some basic rules.
An aircraft can experience dramatic variations in temperature and air pressure. This can cause some items to leak or ignite, so please think before you pack.
Any substance which is liable to explode, dangerously react, produce a flame, or dangerous emission of toxic, corrosive or flammable gases or vapours under conditions normally encountered in transport must not be carried on an aircraft under any circumstance.
Dangerous goods are articles or substances which can pose a significant risk to health, safety or to property when transported by air.
If any of your items carry a diamond-shaped hazard label, then it is highly likely that your item may not be able to travel by air.
https://www.casa.gov.au/standard-page/hazard-labels-dangerous-goods
A few examples of everyday household objects that are classified as dangerous goods include the following:
- Aerosols
- Perfumes and Colognes
- Nail polish and Nail polish remover
- Matches and Cigarette lighters
- Bleaches and oven cleaners
The main restrictions apply generally to items that are explosive, corrosive or flammable.
Further examples of dangerous goods include:
- Pesticides
- Acids
- Camping stoves with liquid fuel or compressed gas
- Anything that contains or has contained petrol, such as lawn mowers, chainsaws, brushcutters, model aircraft etc
- Certain types of batteries (please ask us about Lithium-ion batteries)
- Fireworks and Sparklers
- Firearms and ammunition
- Radioactive material
- Pressurised or unpressurised cylinders or containers such as paint or fuel tanks.
This is obviously not a complete list of hazardous materials.
For more information, visit the Civil Aviation Safety Authority website.
https://www.casa.gov.au/safety-management/landing-page/dangerous-goods
Additionally, CASA have their own dangerous goods app. It will help you figure out what you can take with you and what you can’t (when you are not using Exportair).
https://www.casa.gov.au/dangerous-goods-app
Carrying dangerous goods aboard an aircraft is an offence and may be subject to penalty. Consult your airline for further details.
Of course. Our rates and services are tailored to meet the needs of the student community.
We accept cash, bank transfers, credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) and Eftpos. (in Australian dollars).
