Our Excess Baggage FAQs Has Essential Information on Shipping Personal Goods
Before deciding whether our excess baggage service is right for you, read answers to our frequently asked questions for more information.
Does PACK & SEND charge by volume or weight?
Most excess baggage travelling by air cargo with PACK & SEND are charged by weight. However, some items are very large in size but light in actual weight e.g.: surfboards, surf skis etc. This type of item is called 'volumetric' and is charged by airlines for the space taken in the aircraft.
Sea cargo is charged by volume, not weight. PACK & SEND offers a 'box rate price' for sea freight delivery to the door to key destinations.
What about duties, GST, VAT and or Sales Tax?
Please note that we have no control over foreign customs services or local authorities who may undertake surcharges or charge Duty, Tax, Quarantine or other fees at their discretion and in accordance with local regulations.
Duties, GST, VAT and Sales Tax vary from country to country. Usually if you own your personal effects for more than 12 months, no taxes are payable. You may be asked for receipts to prove ownership and date of purchase.
Is there GST (Goods & Services Tax) on the freight charge for sending my excess baggage overseas?
There is no GST in Australia on services for sending excess baggage overseas, or for export out of Australia.
What form of financial security do I have in the event of loss or damage of any of my goods in transit?
PACK & SEND offers a Freight plus Warranty service which includes is a 'loss or damage protection warranty' in the event of loss or damage in transit. Click here for more on Freight plus Warranty from PACK & SEND.
How do I get a price from PACK & SEND?
To obtain a price, phone our nearest PACK & SEND service centre, or go to our online quote section. You will need to provide us with the following information:
- Description of the goods (What are you sending?)
- Destination (where are you sending to?)
- The weight of the goods
- The length, width, height dimensions of your shipment to the nearest cm.
- Value of the goods
PACK & SEND provides calculates a freight price estimate quote based on the weight and size information you supply us. At times, these measurements may be difficult for the customer to accurately provide, due to a lack of access to weigh scales or tape measures. In all instances, PACK & SEND will weigh all excess baggage received at our Service Centres on our industry approved and certified digital scales and measuring equipment. We will advise the customer before despatch of a change in price if weight or measurements are significantly different to that provided at the time of giving a price estimate.
Can I package the goods myself?
Yes. If you need packaging supplies, visit our Service Centres and you will find everything you need to package your items. Alternatively, for your convenience, you can purchase packaging materials online and pick them up or have them delivered to you.
For fragile items we highly recommend PACK & SEND's professional packaging service. PACK & SEND may not accept goods that are not packed properly.
Your excess baggage is going across the world, not across the street, so pack accordingly. Use suitcases or good quality, strong boxes. Remember, these are your valuable personal effects that in most cases cannot be replaced. Use common sense and do not overload boxes.
For health and safety reasons, we suggest that no more than 30 kilograms (60 pounds) be packed per carton.
Do not use the red and white stripe bags as they split open and rip easily in transit. Do not use plastic storage tubs, polystyrene or fruit boxes. Supermarket boxes are usually lightweight boxes designed for groceries and not suitable for the rigours of the overseas freight environment.
Make sure your cartons are labelled clearly in English. You should also provide a phone number for the destination address if possible.
What items cannot be sent?
You will be surprised that some common items are considered "dangerous goods" and are not allowed on aircraft as cargo. Some of these include perfume, nail polish, matches, lighters, batteries, aerosols and paint. Packing dangerous goods in your excess baggage is totally unacceptable.
You will be signing a freight consignment note which places the onus on you, the shipper, that your excess baggage contains no dangerous goods. For more information on prohibited and dangerous goods that cannot be sent by airfreight, click here .
FAILURE TO DECLARE DANGEROUS GOODS OR COMPLY WITH GOVERNMENT SAFETY REGULATIONS IS A SERIOUS OFFENCE.
What paperwork do I need to complete?
You will need to complete and provide to PACK & SEND a packing list, which simply is a list detailing the description of every item you have packed in each box.
Sea carriers and airlines need to accurately know the type of goods they will be transporting and customs officials need to know the type of goods entering their country. A detailed packing list of your excess baggage is likely to assist in a speedier clearance at your country of destination.
Do you arrange pick up?
Yes, and you need not wait around all day for a driver. We will be able to give you an estimated time of arrival (within an hour).or arrange a time that suits you best. Packages should be ready for collection at the frontin an accessible area of your home, hotel or business at the arranged collection time to minimise delays. Alternatively, you can lodge your excess baggage at one of our service centres throughout Australia.
Can I track & trace my boxes?
If you would like to know the delivery status of your consignments, let us know when you book or lodge your items or parcels with us. With this notification, we will contact you to confirm delivery receipt details. We can communicate details to you by SMS, email or phone.
How long does it take for my goods to reach the destination?
This will depend on where you are sending the items and whether you choose an air freight or sea freight service. As a guide, air freight can be 2 - 5 days, whilst sea freight can be several months. Do not use sea freight if delivery dates are critical. Unlike air freight, sea transport can be subject to numerous delays due to inclement weather, dock strikes etc.
What are the airline security requirements?
PACK & SEND is an Australian Department of Transport regulated cargo agent and as such maintains high security standards for all goods handled.
Under Aviation Security Regulations, customers sending excess baggage that will be transported by an airline are required to provide acceptable photo or signature identification when lodging their consignment. Failure to provide identification will result in your consignment being delayed.
Your baggage may undergo Government mandated security checks. Further, customs officials in any country have the right to inspect your boxes without you present.
Government regulations forbid freight carriers to communicate any information about the intended airline flight until the consignment has been received by the carrier.
SECURITY IS A SERIOUS MATTER. PLEASE CO-OPERATE AND HELP US TO HELP YOU.
What form of payment does PACK & SEND accept?
We accept cash, personal cheques and of course all major credit cards: American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Bankcard.
Can't find an answer to your question?
The experts at PACK & SEND can answer any other questions you may have regarding international deliveries. Contact us on 1300 668 000 or find your nearest PACK & SEND Service Centre.