Shipping Large Equipment Coast to Coast with Ease

1. Know the regulations

Before you start planning your move, it’s important to know what regulations apply to  transporting your large equipment within states and territories of Australia.

The Australian government has strict rules and regulations in place to ensure the safety of all road users and the general public.

You’ll need to obtain the necessary permits and approvals before you can transport your equipment.

This can be a slow, frustrating and complex process. So if the transport company you’ve chosen (or tendered) doesn’t have experience moving large equipment make sure you know what paperwork you need to have.

2. Choose a reputable transport company

Choosing the right transport company is essential for a successful move.

Look for a company that has experience in moving large equipment, like JCS Global, and has a good reputation in the industry.

Check their reviews and ratings online, and ask the transport company to give you references from previous customers.

Make sure the company is fully insured and licensed, and that they offer a range of transport options to suit your needs.

Ask them about permits and regulations related to your large equipment move to assess how helpful they will be in supporting you during the entire process.

Alternatively, if you have very large equipment to move you might consider putting the job out to tender. Then selecting the transport company with the best tender response for your situation.

3. Choose an appropriate transport method

For coast-to-coast moves of large equipment there are several transport methods available. 

In Australia, you have road, rail and sea. The transport options you can choose from will depend on the size and weight of your equipment, as well as your budget and timeframe.

Road transport is the most common method for moving large equipment within Australia. While sea and shipping transport are often considered more suitable for international moves and oversized & large equipment.

Rail transport is also an option for moving equipment between certain regions of Australia.

Ask the rep at your transport company to give you more information about which options would best suit moving your large equipment cargo.

4. Get a quote

To get a quote(s) that accurately give you the costs for moving your large equipment. Make sure you provide accurate information about your equipment, including its size, weight, condition and any special transit requirements you have.

The transport company should provide you with a detailed quote that includes all costs associated with the move, including permits, insurance and transport fees. Not sure what a detailed quote looks like? Ask JCS Global for a quote to get a detailed quote with competitive rates.

5. Plan your route

Planning your route is important to ensure a smooth and timely delivery of your equipment.

When transporting via road, make sure you consider any road restrictions or weight limits that may apply. You’ll need to comply with local government and state/territory laws which may mean planning for detours and routes that are not direct.

It’s also a good idea to have regular contact with the transport company throughout the move to ensure everything is going according to what has been planned.

During COVID lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, there were challenges with border closures. In 2022, major floods destroyed roads and river crossings. It’s not always easy to predict if your move will go as planned by road.

When transporting via ship, the routes are predetermined by shipping lanes. Your equipment weight and dimensions determine how it is loaded and stowed for transport. Once on the ship, it stays in place until unloading at the destination port.

Planning transport via shipping has fewer risks than road for your equipment. 

Just like with road, COVID affected the shipping and industries. Labour shortages caused longer turnarounds and port/station congestion. This has caused some shipping lanes and rail links to suffer with backlogs and longer than usual transit days.

By keeping in touch with your transport company (while your equipment is moved), you are able to adjust for any unforeseen delays irrespective of which transport method is being used.

6. Preparing your equipment for transport

Preparing your equipment for transport is crucial to ensure it arrives at its destination in good condition.

This includes cleaning and inspecting the equipment before protective packaging gets done.

Securing loose parts and removing any hazardous materials, such as fuel reserves must be attended to. Get benchmarks for equipment condition and calibration(s), as well as following any manufacturers recommendations for securing for transit.

Prior to loading your equipment, make sure to inspect the trailer or chassis is in good working order. Check that any points of contact that could cause damage to your equipment have appropriate dunnage and protective covers.

If possible, it’s also a good ideal to oversee the equipment loading process so that you witness it being properly loaded. When you can, inspect the loaded transport vehicle and make sure that you are satisfied that everything is secured in place (to prevent damage during transport).