International Freight Forwarder.
Worldwide freight. Local Australian know-how.
Importing into and exporting out of Australia, while also handling cross-trades isn’t a hassle at Applied Logistics.
We provide end-to-end freight forwarding solutions customised to your business’ scale and specific needs. By combining international logistics expertise with a full suite of sea, air, or multi-modal freight options, we help local & international businesses navigate global routes with ease.
- Australia to the World: Comprehensive freight handling across all Australian states & primary international freight hubs—from Port of Melbourne, Port Botany (Sydney), Port of Brisbane, Port Adelaide, Port Devonport and Port of Fremantle (Perth)—we also handle rail to all regional hubs, ensuring continuous nationwide connection to global routes.
- End-to-End Delivery: Seamless management of documentation, DAFF or AQIS (biosecurity) inspections, de-vanning, local storage, and last-mile delivery Australia-wide.
From pallet-sized LCL shipments to oversized (OOG) cargo, your single point-of-contact handles the logistics so that you can focus on your business. Please note: We strictly handle commercial cargo and do not facilitate the international transport of personal effects or household relocations.
Specialised Cargo & Complex Logistics.
International freight forwarding shouldn’t be a hassle.
At Applied Logistics, we create tailored, risk-mitigated supply chain logistics for your most critical assets.
From initial route surveys and heavy-lift coordination to deploying specialised flat racks and open-top containers, we ensure your cargo is shipped in the most appropriate, timely and secure method.
What We Ship
- Industrial & Agricultural Assets: Brand new or used vehicles, and agricultural or secondhand farm machinery.
- Heavy Machinery: Oversized manufacturing equipment, mining assets, power generator sets, and heavy industrial plant machinery & replacement parts.
- Highly Sensitive Infrastructure: Critical data centre components, server racks, and fragile medical or non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment.
- Commercial commodities: Apparel & textiles, specialty materials (such as glass bottles), tyres & rubber goods, automotive parts & components, and renewable energy assets including solar panels, inverters, batteries, and commercial energy storage components.
Why Choose Applied Logistics as your International Freight Partner?
Operational Efficiency
We provide creative, multi-modal solutions with contingency plans to prevent costly project delays.
Single Point-of-Contact
Get clear communication lines during your entire freight journey from factory floor to final placement site.
Global Shipping Expertise
Optimal international routes. Worldwide partners. Seamless transition.
We move your freight with our deep shipping expertise and global network knowledge.
Multi-Modal Options for International Freight.
Air Freight Options
- Express: The absolute fastest transit times for high priority cargo.
- Priority: A balanced, reliable option for standard commercial air shipments.
- Economy: Maximum cost-effective routing utilising deferred or consolidated space.
Have time-critical air freight?
International Shipping Quote
Full Container Load (FCL)
Less-than Container Load (LCL)
Special Equipment Containers (Open Top, Flat Racks)
– inc. Out-of-Gauge Cargo
Project Cargo
Roll-on roll-off (RORO)
Break Bulk
Freight Documentation Consultancy
International Shipping Services
We find the best ways to deliver your cargo through creative direct or muti-modal pathways—blending air, sea and domestic road/rail networks—to get the best value, speed, and reliability out of every leg of your cargo’s journey.
Global Air Cargo
For urgent, high-value, or time-critical freight.
You tell us the deadline, and we’ll find the best route.
As your dedicated freight forwarder, we seek optimal flight routes across the globe.
Applied Logistics manages your cargo whenever, wherever to get it to you in record time.
Specialised Capabilities:
- Healthcare equipment
- Heavy industrial machinery and replacement parts
- Sensitive testing equipment
- Project cargo
- High-value goods like artwork
International Sea Freight
LCL & FCL options.
Move heavy freight without massive costs.
Highly efficient, cost-effective ocean freight utilising trusted global shipping alliances.
We provide multiple sea freight options from Less-than-Container Load (LCL) to Full Container Load (FCL) solutions including Out-of-Gauge cargo.
Air + Sea Freight
Import, export, or cross-trade goods worldwide by leveraging the speed of air freight along with the massive cost-savings of ocean freight.
It’s the ultimate balance for high-priority shipments.
Specialised Logistics.
Specialised freight demands specialised logistics.
Applied Logistics delivers end-to-end management for out-of-gauge cargo, dangerous goods, and sensitive freight to and from Australia.
Heavy & Specialised Transport
Standard containers aren’t always enough. When your cargo defies dimensions, we deploy custom-fitted solutions to keep your cargo moving.
- Roll-on/roll-off (RORO): Ideal for wheeled machinery, agricultural equipment, and heavy vehicles that can be driven or towed directly onto specialised vessels.
- Breakbulk & Out-of-Gauge (OOG): Tailored transport for un-containerised cargo, using flat racks, open-tops, or chartered space for oversized industrial assets.
Strategic Customs & Compliance
With a seamless single-point-of-contact model, we coordinate everything from origin to final destination, delivering the precise routing your operations require.
Using the right Incoterm means stress-free shipment and handling as your cargo changes hands and passes authorities seamlessly.
- Incoterms & Strategic Guidance: Expert advice on structuring your terms of sale (Incoterms) to mitigate financial risk and clarify duties from origin to destination.
- Documentation Consultation & Coordination: Comprehensive oversight of customs paperwork, commercial invoices, free trade agreements, and biosecurity declarations.
Inland & Regional Delivery
Enjoy seamless freight transit from international arrival gateways directly to your business’ doorstep, using our trusted Australian domestic general freight and road transport networks.
We take total ownership of the logistics lifecycle—including complex local permits, state regulatory compliance, Incoterms, and remote staging yards—allowing your project teams to stay focused on the field.
Special Freight Services
Commercial Invoice (CIV)
The master legal document detailing buyer/seller entities, precise item descriptions, and transaction value (inclusive of specific goods value). Mandatory for Australian Customs to calculate customs Duty & GST to issue clearance.
Compliance Tip:
Ensure the Harmonised System (HS) code matches your product precisely to prevent classification delays or incorrect duty assessment at the Australian border.
Packing LIST (Used Machinery, Vehicles & OOG)
A detailed breakdown of weight, volume, and packaging types. For secondhand agricultural equipment and machinery, this is vital for biosecurity processing. For Out-of-Gauge (OOG) cargo, it is critical for physical handling and transport engineering.
Biosecurity Requirement:
All containerised cargo (inc. OOG or RORO shipments) must have an Australian Packing Declaration signed and dated for when the shipment is packed at location of origin. Failure to provide this will prevent cargo clearance.
OOG Requirement:
Must specify calculated center-of-gravity points, exact physical dimensions, and structural lashing points for specialised stevedoring or crane handling.
Bill of Lading (B/L)
The legal contract of carriage and receipt of cargo. It establishes proof of ownership and dictates the terms of international transit for your import and export shipments.
Import Compliance Note:
For vehicles, trailers, or self-propelled machinery, the B/L description should explicitly detail the Year, Make, Model, and unique VIN/Chassis number to facilitate streamlined Customs clearance prior to port discharge.
EXW (Ex Works – Air & Sea)
The buyer assumes total responsibility and cost from the moment the cargo leaves the supplier’s factory floor or warehouse. This includes foreign factory pickup, export customs brokerage, and origin airport/seaport handling.
Strategic Usage:
Best suited for businesses seeking absolute financial transparency and end-to-end routing control. EXW is highly effective for urgent air freight or specialised project cargo when you partner with a trusted forwarder who handles the entire pipeline back to your door.
FOB / FCA (Free On Board / Free Carrier)
The supplier handles export clearance and delivers the cargo onto the vessel (FOB – Sea) or to the air terminal carrier (FCA – Air) at the origin. The buyer takes complete control of the international transit and insurance from that point forward.
Pro Tip:
Highly recommended for Australian importers. This allows you to select the best shipping lines or air freighters, dictating the transit timeline so your machinery or high-value cargo doesn’t sit languishing on foreign wharves or airport tarmac.
CFR / CIF (Cost & Freight / Insurance – Sea Freight Only)
The overseas supplier pays the ocean freight to an Australian port (e.g., Brisbane, Sydney, or Melbourne). CIF includes basic transit insurance. While it seems cheaper upfront, you lose all control over choice of vessel, arrival dates, and terminal handling handlers.
The Destination Trap:
First-time importers are frequently blindsided by massive, unquoted local destination fees, port charges, and delivery handover costs once the ship docks in Australia. Talk to us to audit a CFR/CIF quote before committing.
DAP/DDP (Delivered at Place / Duty Paid)
A hands-off approach where the supplier arranges the entire journey to your Australian facility. Under DDP, the supplier is also responsible for paying the Australian customs entry, duties, and import GST.
The Downside:
While highly convenient, suppliers often buffer their risk by charging heavily inflated upfront logistics margins. Furthermore, if the supplier’s selected broker misdeclares cargo to the Australian Customs or AQIS, you face localised delays and potential compliance penalties on arrival.
Free Trade Agreements (FTA) & Tariffs
Leveraging Australia’s network of bilateral and multilateral FTAs allows for lawful duty concessions and exemptions on a massive range of imported commercial goods, directly reducing your landed costs.
DID YOU KNOW:
Valid Certificates of Origin (COO) must be formatted correctly and submitted to the Australian Border Force at the time of customs entry to claim preferential duty rates. Ask us for compliant templates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you help clear my international cargo through Australian Customs?
Yes. Navigating international import/export regulations can be a minefield. We provide full assistance with customs entry preparation, tariff classifications, and compliance management to ensure your commercial goods clear Australian borders smoothly without costly seaport or airport storage delays.
What is the difference between LCL and FCL sea freight?
- LCL (Less-than-Container Load): Your cargo shares space inside a shipping container with other commercial shipments. This is highly cost-effective for smaller palletised or crated shipments.
- FCL (Full Container Load): You secure the exclusive use of an entire 20ft or 40ft shipping container. This is ideal for large volumes, heavy machinery, or sensitive cargo requiring dedicated tracking and security.
How do you bypass port congestion for international shipments entering Australia?
As we maintain an extensive, high-capacity domestic road and rail network across Australia, we aren’t restricted to a single port of entry. If your destination port is experiencing severe delays or industrial action, we can investigate alternative routings—such as discharging your sea freight at an alternative Australian container terminal and running it via coastal shipping, intermodal rail, or express road linehaul directly to your facility.
What is the difference between air freight Express, Priority, and Economy?
- Express: The fastest option designed for urgent, time-critical cargo on the next available flight out.
- Priority: A balanced, highly reliable service for standard commercial air shipments with predictable transit times.
- Economy: The most cost-effective option utilising deferred or consolidated air cargo space for flexible deadlines.
Can you help us determine the best Incoterm for our international shipment?
Yes. Choosing the correct Incoterm (such as FOB, CIF, or DDP) is critical to defining responsibility for shipping costs, insurance, and risk transfer. Our team provides strategic guidance to ensure your sales agreements and terms of sale protect your financial interests and allow smooth border clearances. Talk to us for the best suited Incoterm to use for your shipment.
How do you handle Australian biosecurity (DAFF/AQIS) and customs clearances?
We offer end-to-end management for international arrivals. This includes pre-checking documentation (Commercial Invoices, Packing Lists, Certificates of Origin), submitting mandatory customs filings, and coordinating with Australian Customs & AQIS for biosecurity inspections, de-vanning, and local port-handling.
What options do I have if my freight is too large for a standard ocean container?
We specialise in out-of-gauge (OOG) and breakbulk logistics. Depending on your cargo’s dimensions and weight, we deploy specialised equipment such as Flat Racks, Open-Top containers, or coordinate Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) and charter services for heavy industrial, agricultural, or mining machinery.
Do you handle the final leg of delivery within regional or remote Australia after port arrival?
Yes. Once your shipment clears Australian customs and biosecurity, we integrate seamlessly with our domestic road and rail freight networks to deliver your cargo directly to your facility, site, or remote staging yard nationwide.