FAQs

Packing

  • What contents you should avoid for your packages?

    Since batteries and cells are considered hazardous material in air cargo, it is best to remove them from your electronic equipment, otherwise additional charges may apply.

    Medicines, even with a prescription, should be avoided to simplify the passage through customs. They must travel in your hand or hold baggage.

    Alcohol and food are subject to strict regulations which can lead to significant additional costs.

    If you choose to send items not normally found within luggage and which therefore require additional packaging, these items are sent at your own risk. Heightened security measures are currently in place for unaccompanied luggage, if a security scan reveals a bag contains any of these items it will be removed from travel and may be held by the FAA or other authorities.

    Please ensure any liquids are packed appropriately, any package or suitcase found to be leaking will be removed from travel. For a detailed list of prohibited items and items excluded from cover visit your destination’s information check our Guidelines page.

  • How to pack? Tips and best practices

    Packing your goods correctly is an important factor in ensuring that they arrive safely at the destination

    All items must be individually labelled

    Leave clear identification on your packages with :

    • Name (sender / recipient)
    • Address at destination
    • Contact details (phone number)

    We recommend you complete a packing list. We will be happy to attach this to the documentation accompanying your freight. We also recommend padlocking any suitcases etc and securely taping cartons.

    Padlocks

    If you want to use padlocks, we recommend code locks (the TSA standard is only official in the United States). If you have keyed padlocks, please send the duplicates in an envelope taped to one of your packages. The keys will be automatically returned to their destination in the documentary envelope intended for customs, unless you are advised against.

    Choose your packaging carefully

    Choose your packaging carefully according to the content, it must be strong and compact enough to withstand various manipulations. When packing in boxes, choose a strong double walled cardboard box. Boxes should be sealed by looping tape around the box with seams also reinforced with tape, ensuring you cover all creases and do not leave any regions open. Pick the correct box, ensuring your bag or box is designed to hold the weight packed.

    Secure and Pack ensuring that items are not free to move using padding/cushioning with bubblewrap or newspaper. When preparing your luggage or box please bear in mind all items will travel on automated belts and slide down sorting chutes. If you have fragile packages (TV, musical instruments, computer, dishes, etc.), we will then advise you to palletize them, but please note that this has an effect on the total volume. We suggest particularly fragile items are professionally packed to minimise the risk of damage. Please ask our local office for referrals of quality packing companies.

    If you are sending a holdall, we recommend wrapping the bag to stop straps becoming caught.

    Extendable suitcase handles should be secured in place to ensure they do not deploy when in transit.

    Crates may be used for heavier items or if space is required.

    Do not forget to label each box with your name, contact details and destination address.

  • Our services

  • Are my goods covered by insurance?

    Unaccompanied Baggage by air is insured by International Airlines for loss or visible damage on an airport to airport basis. Claims must be made and reported at the airport whilst taking delivery. Sea freight is not covered by Insurance. In both modes of transport, we recommend that you consider Marine Transit Insurance.

    Your cargo is insured by the airline.

    Each kilogram is covered 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.

    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.

  • Can WBN pack for me or do I have to do my own?

    The local WBN representative will give you guidance on this subject.

  • How will I know when my goods have arrived?

    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.

  • Can you have our baggage at the destination by a certain date?

    Airline regulations do not allow us to make guarantees of arrival times as the service is on a space available basis. We can guarantee however, that after the mandatory security holding period, we will put your goods on the next available flight(s) to your destination, unless otherwise instructed by you.

  • How long will it take for my goods to reach their destination?

    The delivery will depend on your collection and destination address, some destinations are more difficult than others with limited flights or other modes of transport. Assuming you get all your documentation ready on time, the average time should be around:

    Air: 3-10 days
    Sea: 2-4 weeks

    However this time frame is a guide only and is dependant on several factors such as:

    • The time you consign your goods to WBN eg: we do not lodge cargo or documentation during the weekend.
    • Passenger loadings – If an aircraft is at maximum capacity with passengers and their baggage, unaccompanied baggage which is of a lower priority may be taken off the flight.
    • Adverse weather conditions can affect the movement of unaccompanied baggage. For example: the airline may need to offload cargo from a flight to enable it to conserve fuel in high winds.
    • The destination – basically the further away from, and the increased number of transits from one aircraft to another will affect the length of time taken for your goods to arrive at the destination.
    • Flight Timetables: We are only able to send cargo on available cargo flights. Some destinations have daily services and others once a week only.
    • Security regulations may mean that we are required to take certain security measures such as holding cargo for cooling off periods. All cargo has a mandatory 24 hour period where it must be held in Perth prior to sending.

  • What charges are involved?

    A per kilogram rate plus documentation and airline related fees. At destination, you will be required to pay the Customs Department a fee for clearing your goods.

    This is normally based on the the local currency. Storage fees will be charged after certain free periods depending on the country you are sending your goods to.

    It is important to remember that all countries have different rules and regulations.

  • How do we pay?

    You will be contacted with payment instructions by the local WBN representative.

  • How far in advance should i make a reservation?

    We recommend that you give us at least 2 to 3 days notice to make a booking. We can work with just 24 hours notice if you are really in a hurry!

  • Can you arrange storage?

    Many of our customers travel before reaching their final destination. We can arrange a flight that will arrive at the destination airport just before (or after) your arrival. For sea freight, we will try to arrange a ship that will arrive at your convenience.
    Tip: Storage is far less expensive at the origin than at the destination, in most cases.

  • Other informations

  • What should we do if the cargo arrives damaged?

    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.

  • Is there a weight limit per box?

    The box needs to be light enough for one person to lift. If it is too heavy, then you will need two men at an additional cost if there is pickup involved at either end of the shipment.

  • Will i have to pay any duties or taxes at the destination?

    In most countries, there is no duty or tax if the goods have been owned for more than 12 months for returning residents. This does vary by country, however. Our agent will advise and give you details once you do your booking.

  • Who measures the boxes to calculate my final shipping charges?

    The freight is weighed and measured at the freight depot when it is delivered. Confirmation of these measurements will be provided to you as a standard feature of our service.

  • What documents do you need to send my shipment?

    To clear the shipment through customs, we will require a copy of your passport (photo page) and a packing list describing the contents of each package as well as a value asigned to each item. If you expect to start packing soon, we suggest that you take notes of the contents in detail.

  • Does weight matter for sea freight service?

    The weight limit per cubic meter is 1000 kgs (2200 lbs)! Therefore, usually, the weight will not be a consideration. However, if you require the goods to be picked up and transported overland, trucking charges ARE based on weight.

  • Excess Baggage / Unaccompanied Baggage

  • What's the difference between excess baggage and unaccompanied baggage?

    Excess baggage

    When you hand over any piece of luggage while you are checking in and the size or weight exceeds the free baggage allowance limitations, this is considered excess baggage. Excess baggage charges are expensive and often based on 1% of the first class airfare to your destination.

    Unaccompanied baggage

    Unaccompanied baggage is a cost-effective and convenient alternative for the occasions when you have excess baggage. You can send all your excess luggage and personal belongings as unaccompanied baggage, which in principle means your luggage is shipped ‘unaccompanied’ by you on your chosen flight or a designated flight on another airline. Excess baggage charges imposed by the airlines can be expensive. By using the World Baggage Network local representative you can save money.

  • Can you put my unaccompanied baggage on my flight?

    Unfortunately no. For security purposes and because of the nature of the service we are unable to put your goods on your flight.