Ocean Freight Australia
LOGISTICS SUPPORT
Ludmila
Freight Forwarding Specialist
OCEAN FREIGHT SOLUTIONS
Ocean Freight to Australia FCL, LCL & Project Cargo from Worldwide Origins
GreenLine Global provides ocean freight to Australia on FCL, LCL groupage, reefer, and out-of-gauge project shipments to Port Botany (Sydney), Webb Dock (Melbourne), Brisbane, Fremantle, and Adelaide. Every shipment is managed in full compliance with Australian Border Force (ABF) customs requirements and DAFF biosecurity rules under the Biosecurity Act 2015. For hazardous cargo, we handle IMO-classified ocean freight with full IMDG documentation. If your cargo needs multi-modal handling, our airfreight to Australia service provides an express alternative.
Operating since 2008 and FMC-licensed as an Ocean Transportation Intermediary, GreenLine has managed Australian corridors from origins across the USA, Europe, China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. We work with established carriers on the transpacific and Asia-Pacific trades, as well as the Europe-Australia routes via the Suez Canal. Every quote is transparent and itemised – origin charges, ocean freight, destination handling, ABF customs clearance, and last-mile delivery in one clear breakdown. Contact us for a customs clearance consultation or a full door-to-door quote.
How it works
Your Shipment to Australia - From Quote to Delivery
GreenLine manages every step of your ocean freight to Australia. From initial route planning through to ABF customs release and final delivery, our team handles compliance, carrier coordination, and real-time status updates throughout.
Quote, Route Planning & Booking
Share your origin, cargo details, and Australian delivery address. We send an itemised quote within 24 hours covering FCL or LCL options, routing via transpacific or Asia-Australia lanes, and door-to-door pricing. No hidden charges.
Collection, Loading & Documentation
We arrange pickup from your origin, pack or verify stuffing to Australian container standards, and prepare all export documentation - Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and Certificate of Origin. For US origins, AES filing is completed before departure.
Transit & Real-Time Tracking
Your cargo moves on established transpacific, Asia-Pacific, or Europe-Australia (Suez Canal) routes with major carriers. GreenLine provides live tracking and proactive alerts for any schedule changes, port delays, or transhipment updates at hub ports like Singapore or Colombo.
Australian Border Force Customs Clearance & Door-to-Door Delivery
GreenLine lodges your customs entry via the ABF Integrated Cargo System (ICS), manages any DAFF biosecurity inspections, and handles duty and GST payment. Once released, your cargo is delivered to any Australian address - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, or regional. Full track-and-trace to final delivery.
Our ocean freight services to Australia
Ocean Freight to Australia - Every Mode, Every Cargo Type
No two shipments to Australia are identical. GreenLine matches the right container type and service mode to your cargo, schedule, and budget. We operate all major ocean freight modes on established Australia corridors.
FCL - Full Container Load
20ft · 40ft · 40ft HC
Best for shipments above 15 CBM or where dedicated container space is required. GreenLine books FCL slots on direct and transhipment services to Port Botany, Webb Dock, Fremantle, and Brisbane. Ideal for industrial equipment, retail wholesale, and heavy goods.
LCL - Groupage
From 1 CBM · Weekly consolidations
Cost-effective for shipments under 15 CBM. GreenLine consolidates your cargo into weekly LCL services from major origin ports. Cargo is deconsolidated at the Australian gateway and cleared through ABF with the same attention as FCL shipments. Suitable for all general cargo types.
Reefer Cargo
Controlled temperature · Pharma & food grade
Temperature-controlled containers from -25°C to +25°C for perishables, pharmaceuticals, wine, and biological materials. GreenLine coordinates reefer monitoring throughout transit and manages DAFF biosecurity pre-clearance requirements for food and agricultural products entering Australia.
Hazardous Goods - IMO
IMDG Classes 1-9 · Full DG documentation
GreenLine manages IMDG-classified cargo to Australia with full dangerous goods documentation, including DG declarations, stowage plans, and emergency response procedures. Approved carrier selection ensures compliance with Australian port authority DG handling requirements.
Out-of-Gauge & Project Cargo
Heavy lift · Flat rack · Open top
Mining and construction equipment, large industrial machinery, and oversized cargo shipped on flat rack, open top, or breakbulk. GreenLine handles lashing, securing, route surveys for port discharge, and last-mile delivery to remote Australian mining and infrastructure sites. See also our project cargo service.
Door-to-Door Ocean Freight
Pickup to delivery · All Australian states
One quote, one point of contact, full delivery. GreenLine collects from your origin premises, manages all documentation and customs at both ends, and delivers to your Australian address. Combined with our customs clearance and Australian warehousing options for complete supply chain coverage.
At destination
Australia Port Operations, Customs & Delivery
Primary ports of entry
Australia's Major Container Ports
GreenLine delivers to all major Australian container terminals. Port Botany (Sydney) and Webb Dock (Melbourne) handle the highest volumes and offer the broadest carrier options. Fremantle (Perth) serves Western Australia and is the preferred gateway for mining and resource sector cargo. Brisbane covers Queensland and northeastern Australia. Port Adelaide services South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Customs clearance at destination
ABF & DAFF Clearance Process
All imports are processed through the ABF Integrated Cargo System (ICS). GreenLine lodges the import declaration, manages tariff classification, and arranges duty and GST payment. For goods subject to DAFF biosecurity assessment - which includes most timber, plant material, food products, and used equipment - we coordinate inspection appointments and treatment requirements. Permits under the Biosecurity Act 2015 are arranged in advance where required.
Last-mile delivery
Delivery Across All Australian States
Once cleared, GreenLine coordinates final delivery via our Australia carrier network. Standard delivery covers all metropolitan addresses. For regional and remote locations - including Queensland mine sites and Western Australian resource projects - we arrange specialist heavy haulage or domestic forwarding. Warehousing and distribution within Australia is available for import consolidation, split deliveries, and stock holding.
Compliance & import rules
Requirements for Shipping Cargo to Australia by Sea
Australia has strict import rules enforced by the ABF and DAFF. GreenLine handles pre-shipment compliance from origin so your cargo clears without delay.
ABF Customs Entry & ICS Filing
All commercial imports require a customs entry lodged in the ABF Integrated Cargo System (ICS) before cargo is released. GreenLine lodges entries on behalf of the importer, including HS tariff classification, valuation, and origin declaration. Goods subject to dumping duties or safeguards require additional clearance steps.
DAFF Biosecurity Assessment
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) assesses all goods for biosecurity risk under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Used equipment, timber, food, and plant material attract mandatory inspection. GreenLine prepares biosecurity declarations and arranges DAFF inspections or approved treatments (e.g. heat treatment, fumigation) at origin or destination.
Customs Duty, GST & LVT
Import duty rates are set by the Australian Customs Tariff Act and range from 0% to 10% for most goods. A 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies to the sum of customs value plus duty. Low Value Threshold (LVT) rules apply below AUD 1,000. Preferential duty rates may apply under Australia's FTAs, including AUSFTA, CPTPP, and ASEAN-Australia-NZ FTA.
Required Import Documentation
A complete Australian ocean freight shipment requires: Original or Sea Waybill Bill of Lading, commercial invoice (in AUD or foreign currency with conversion), packing list, and Certificate of Origin where FTA preference is claimed. For restricted goods (chemicals, weapons, food, medicines), an Australian import permit from the relevant authority is required before shipment.
Prohibited & Restricted Goods
Australia maintains strict controls on prohibited imports under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, including asbestos, some chemicals, and certain food products. Restricted goods include firearms, therapeutic goods (TGA-regulated), and agricultural chemicals (APVMA). GreenLine identifies restrictions during the pre-shipment compliance check and advises on permit requirements.
Container & Cargo Inspection Standards
Australia applies ISPM 15 phytosanitary standards to all wood packaging materials, including pallets and crating. Non-compliant packaging is rejected or treated at the importer's cost. ABF also conducts targeted cargo examinations - GreenLine's documentation accuracy minimises examination rates and facilitates quick release when examinations do occur.
What we move
Cargo Types & Ocean Freight Specialisms to Australia
GreenLine ships standard and specialist cargo to Australia. Every cargo type is handled with full DAFF biosecurity and ABF customs compliance built in from origin.
General & Palletised Cargo
Boxed, palletised, and break-bulk general cargo via FCL or LCL. GreenLine ensures all ISPM 15 wood packaging is compliant before loading to avoid DAFF detention at Australian ports.
Heavy Machinery & Industrial Equipment
Mining equipment, construction machinery, and industrial plant shipped on flat rack, open top, or in 40ft HC. DAFF inspection of used equipment is managed with pre-shipment cleaning certificates. Delivery to remote WA and QLD mine sites arranged.
Dangerous Goods
IMDG-classified cargo including chemicals, batteries, flammables, and compressed gases. GreenLine prepares full DG documentation and selects carriers with approved hazmat handling at Australian port terminals.
Perishables & Temperature-Sensitive
Food, wine, fresh produce, and pharmaceuticals in monitored reefer containers. DAFF biosecurity pre-clearance for food and plant products is coordinated before departure to avoid port delays on arrival.
E-Commerce & Retail Wholesale
LCL and FCL consolidation for retail importers and e-commerce sellers. GreenLine advises on GST and low-value import rules for goods entering Australia under LVT thresholds, and offers Australian warehousing for stock holding and order fulfilment.
Agricultural & Food Products
Grains, seeds, foodstuffs, and processed agricultural goods. All shipments are assessed against DAFF biosecurity import conditions (BICON database). GreenLine prepares phytosanitary certificates and import permit applications where required.
Project & Out-of-Gauge Cargo
Oversized structures, turbines, vessels, and infrastructure components. GreenLine plans stowage, selects appropriate vessel types, coordinates port authority approvals, and manages heavy haulage to the final Australian delivery site. See our project cargo service for complex multi-modal moves.
Scroll to see all cargo types →
Origin countries & corridors
Where We Ship From to Australia
GreenLine operates established ocean freight corridors to Australia from origins across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Select your origin below or contact us for a custom route.
Not seeing your origin? GreenLine ships ocean freight to Australia from over 40 countries across 4 continents. Contact us with your origin port or city and we will route and price your shipment.
Industries we serve
Ocean Freight to Australia Across Every Sector
Australia's import requirements vary significantly by industry. GreenLine brings sector-specific knowledge of ABF, DAFF, and destination regulations to every shipment.
Credentials & compliance
Operating to the Highest Australian Ocean Freight Standards Since 2008
FAQS
Ocean Freight Australia Questions
18-24 days from the US West Coast, 25-35 days from Europe (via Suez), and 12-22 days from China/Southeast Asia. Exact estimates are confirmed at quotation stage.
FCL (Full Container Load) is a dedicated 20ft/40ft container, best above 15 CBM. LCL (Less than Container Load) shares a container with other shippers, cheaper for smaller volumes. GreenLine recommends the right option based on your cargo and budget.
Imports go through the Australian Border Force (ABF) via the Integrated Cargo System (ICS), requiring a customs entry, invoice, packing list, and Bill of Lading. Biosecurity declarations under the Biosecurity Act 2015 are mandatory, with DAFF inspecting risk goods like timber, food, and used equipment.
Yes. GreenLine manages ABF clearance, coordinates DAFF inspections, and delivers to any Australian address. Contact sales@greenlineglobal.com with your cargo details for a door-to-door quote.
Duty ranges 0-10% based on HS tariff code, plus a 10% GST on customs value plus duty. Preferential rates may apply under FTAs like AUSFTA and CPTPP.