Frequently Asked Questions ???

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  • Can I ship hazardous cargo with TRANSAM? - If your cargo is not one of those prohibited, then TRANSAM will be happy to book it with an operator. As the shipper you must fill in a Dangerous Goods Certificate and submit it for Carriers approvals and checking before acceptance of Cargo. Some goods can not be stored together and may result in your Dangerous goods not being able to load on intended vessel. An MSDS is also required.


  • Can TRANSAM arrange the loading, lashing and securing of my out-of-gauge cargo? - Yes. We can coordinate this process at your origin port or nearby depots (providing the origin port is capable of loading the cargo in the first place).


  • Can TRANSAM provide any advice of the optimal stuffing of a container? - We have vast experience and resource network that can offer solutions. Once we have cargo details we can hunt for most suitable options available.


  • Can TRANSAM supply me with high cube containers to ship my cargo? - Yes. Our principals have an extensive inventory of containers including 20’ and 40’ high cube boxes. Give us specific details and we can ensure a smoother availability. Due to our location and market we need to plan for availability a couple of voyages in advance. It is common that 20ft High Cubes are not available outside of the pacific and only 40ft High Cubes may be available.


  • How can I get a Job with Transam? - We are always looking for new skill and talent. If you think you are suitable for shipping, please e-mail through your CV to our main address. It will be kept on file for an opportunity that arises.


  • What does Transam Give back to the community? - We quite happily give where we can and where we see needed. Together with support from our principals a wide range of charity work is done with not so much media coverage. Our logo is usually buried somewhere in the background :-), if you feel you have a really good cause send us a message.

Always check the country you are sending to for latest import requirements.

USA - When must an ISF be submitted to Customs and Border Protection (CBP)?

The Import Security Filing (ISF), which is also commonly known as 10+2 is required to be submitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) no later than 24 hours prior to the cargo being loaded on the vessel destined to the United States.

CBP may issue liquidated damages of $5,000 per violation for the submission of an inaccurate, incomplete or untimely filing.

Importer Requirements: ISF Importers, or their agent, must provide eight data elements, no later than 24 hours before the cargo is laden aboard a vessel destined to the United States.U.S. bound Cargo (Includes FTZ and IT): requires the electronic filing of an Importer Security Filing (ISF) comprised of 10 data elements. Those data elements include:

• Seller • Buyer • Importer of record number / FTZ applicant identification number • Consignee number(s)

• Manufacturer (or supplier)* • Ship to party * • Country of origin * • Commodity Harmonized Tariff Schedule of

Two additional data elements must be submitted as early as possible, no later than 24 hours prior to the ship's arrival at a U.S. port. These data elements are:

• Container stuffing location; and • Consolidator

Transit Cargo (FROB, IE and TE): requires the electronic filing of an Importer Security Filing (ISF) comprised of 5 data elements. The following five data elements must be submitted for FROB, IE and T&E shipments:

• Booking party • Foreign port of unlading • Place of delivery • Ship to party • Commodity HTSUS number

AUSTRALIA - When shipping to Australia here are some things to be aware of:

LCL to Australia is rare due to limited outward cargo. Normally 9cbm is needed to consider a move. Packing an FCL is normally the most efficient way otherwise LCL via NZ is the way to go.

Australia have a very useful tool for advice on your import. The BICON, we recommend you check your commodities before you send any cargo. https://bicon.agriculture.gov.au/BiconWeb4.0

  • documents to be emailed at least 7 working days prior to vessel arrival into first port of call in Australia
  • As per Australian Customs Service (ACS) regulations, every Consignor/Consignee combination must be declared to Australian Customs under a unique House Bill of Lading number. Australian Customs will not accept House Bills of Lading with multiple Consignors or Consignees. All House Bills of Lading must state the full name of the consignee and street address (no PO Boxes are allowed). Consignee details are critical and must include the post code (zip code), and a minimum of one of the following: email address, phone number or fax number.
  • As per Australian Customs Service (ACS) regulations, cargo must outturn as declared on each house bill of lading. If re palletising or re packaging is required upon unpack, approval from destination office should be received prior to shipping and costs will be charged to the origin.
  • Any wooden packaging, including dunnage, must be treated, and marked in compliance with ISPM15 or treated in compliance with DAWE treatment requirements (treatment certificate required). Any shipments with wooden packaging that does not meet Australian standard will need to be treated at the consignee’s cost prior to release.
  • All LCL/FAK cargo originating from a BMSB country, must either be treated at origin or approval must be sort from destination office prior to shipping without treatment. HS codes are required on house bills of lading for any shipments that are not treated at origin. [Brown Marmorated Stink Bug]v
  • a detailed packing list is required, shipment will need to be cleared through Australian Customs and Department of Agriculture Water and the Environment (DAWE) prior to collecting cargo from the CFS. A physical inspection of the shipment may also be required and if incurred any storage and inspection costs is payable by the consignee. Destination local charges are payable.
  • Weight Restrictions for FAK containers into Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Fremantle are 30,000kgs inclusive of the container tare weight.
  • Due to equipment restriction in Sydney the maximum weight allowed for FAK containers is 29,000kgs inclusive of the tare weight for 40’ containers and 28,000kgs inclusive of tare weight for 20’ containers.
  • Packing declarations are mandatory for all LCL and FCL shipments. For all routed and DAP/DDP shipments, the completed packing declaration must be sent with the import documents.

Samples of accepted declarations can be found at:

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/arrival/clearance-inspection/documentary-requirements/templates

These were valid at time of posting, 1/5/2020 please review latest import requirements.

Shipping Language

  • LCL - Less than a Container Load, but commonly understood as Loose Cargo.
  • FCL - Full Container Load, usually the most ideal way to ship if you can fill it and if your cargo can fit into it. Be aware of the available types of containers and the restrictions of each and how you can handle. Some ports have weight restrictions and some smaller Pacific Ports can not handle 40fts.
  • Breakbulk Cargo - Loaded without protection and not in a container. This is normally the cheapest method of shipping but is also the least protected and most exposed. Some ports and services do not accept Breakbulk Cargo.
  • CBM / Volumne - Cubic Meter or Volumne is a 3 dimension measurement of your cargo. The longest Length x longest width x longest height.
  • RT - Revenue Tonne is the greater measurement of your cargo, volume vs weight. Rates are normally based on Revenue Tonne. 1CBM is Valued at 1000kg for Sea freight Purposes.
  • Volumetric Weight - for Airfreight purposes a volume factor of 6 is normally used to calculate the chargeable weight. 1CBM is Valued at 167kg for Air freight Purposes. (Different Factors may apply in different areas)
  • OBOL - Original Bill of Lading is a document of title. these need to be surrendered at load port of at our office for your cargo to be released. This is a very very important document to be treated like a bank cheque.
  • WAYBIlL - a Seaway bill is not a document of title. This is the most convent way to send cargo to a well known consignee. Release on arrival as long as all charges have been paid.
  • Express Release or Telex Release - an instruction order that cargo can be released without documents. This is normally issued after Originals are surrendered. Its always good to get this in place before cargo arrives.
  • Freight Collect and Freight Prepaid - where the cargo freight is paid, either at loading port or discharge port or even at a nominated collection port if allowed. Freight collect needs to be approved to verified customers only.
  • INCOTERMS - International rules of sale and purchase terms. Know your incoterms and avoid getting caught out with unplanned costs. We regularly handle FOB, CIF term cargo but can provide DAP, DDU, DDP to regular and corporate customers only. https://www.export.gov/article?id=Incoterms-Overview

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