Container Weight Provisions

We would like to advise our valued customers that a newly implemented government legislation requires that all freight forwarders declare the combined container and cargo weight to their road carriers. Please find below a guide to container weight limits within Australia.

Queensland:

Containers with gross weight exceeding 22.5T in QLD will incur a heavy weight surcharge, as legally a tag truck is required to accompany the delivering truck. Heavy weight surcharges in QLD vary between 150-250 AUD + GST.
Maximum loaded weight of container for road transport in Queensland is 27.5T. Therefore max cargo weight:

• 25T per 20FT GP (less if HC or reefer)
• 23.5T per 40FT GP (less if HC or reefer)

Containers which exceed gross weight of 27.5T require mandatory unpack and loose delivery from terminal.

New South Wales:

Containers with gross weight exceeding 21.5T in NSW will incur a heavy weight surcharge, as legally a tag truck is required to accompany the delivering truck. Heavy weight surcharges in NSW vary between 150-250 AUD + GST.
Maximum loaded weight of container for road transport in New South Wales is 26T. Therefore max cargo weight:

• 23.5T per 20FT GP (less if HC or reefer)
• 22T per 40FT GP (less if HC or reefer)

Victoria:

Containers with gross weight exceeding 23T in VIC will incur a heavy weight surcharge, as legally a tag truck is required to accompany the delivering truck. Heavy weight surcharges in VIC vary between 150-250 AUD + GST.
Maximum loaded weight of container for road transport in Victoria is 27T. Therefore max cargo weight:

• 24.7T per 20FT GP (less if HC or reefer)
• 22.8T per 40FT GP (less if HC or reefer)

Weights greater than this require unpacking at the terminal and will incur additional charges.

South Australia:

Containers with gross weight exceeding 22T in SA will incur a heavy weight surcharge, as legally a tag truck is required to accompany the delivering truck. Heavy weight surcharges in SA vary between 150-250 AUD + GST.
Maximum loaded weight of container for road transport in South Australia is 26.9T per 20FT & 28T per 40FT. Therefore max cargo weight:

• 24.4T per 20FT GP (less if HC or reefer)
• 24T per 40FT GP (less if HC or reefer)

Western Australia:

Containers with gross weight exceeding 23T in WA will incur a heavy weight surcharge, as legally a tag truck is required to accompany the delivering truck. Heavy weight surcharges in WA vary between 150-250 AUD + GST. Maximum loaded weight of container for road transport in Western Australia is 24.5T. Therefore max cargo weight:

• 22T per 20FT GP (less if HC or reefer)
• 20.5 per 40FT GP (less if HC or reefer)

Most Western Australian carriers have heavy mass permits to 30 tonne (Gross Container Weight) depending on vehicle combination.

Tasmania:

Containers with gross weight exceeding 21.5T in TAS will incur a heavy weight surcharge, as legally a tag truck is required to accompany the delivering truck. Heavy weight surcharges in TAS vary between 150-250 AUD + GST.
Maximum loaded weight of container for road transport in Tasmania is 26T. Therefore max cargo weight:

• 23.5T per 20FT GP (less if HC or reefer)
• 22T per 40FT GP (less if HC or reefer)

Should you have any questions in regards to the above, please do not hesitate to contact your DEAN World Cargo Account Manager.