How we deliver containers across Australia and export them worldwide from our Botany yard — including costs, timeframes, site requirements and what to expect on delivery day.
Elite Container Supply ("ECS", "we", "us") dispatches all containers from our yard at B105A, Penrhyn Rd, Botany NSW 2019, Australia. Our position minutes from Port Botany allows us to move stock efficiently to customers nationwide and load directly for international export.
This policy explains how delivery works, what it costs, what we need from you, and how we handle export orders. Please read it before placing an Order — particularly Preparing Your Site, which is the most common cause of delivery problems.
We deliver to all Australian states and territories: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.
Sydney metropolitan deliveries are handled directly by our own transport partners. Interstate and regional deliveries are arranged through licensed freight carriers.
Remote, island and restricted-access locations may incur additional charges or may not be serviceable. We will advise you before accepting an Order.
We export containers from Australia to destinations including Europe, the United States, Canada and countries across Asia. Export orders are quoted individually — see International Export.
The delivery method depends on the container size, your site, and access conditions. The method applicable to your Order will be confirmed in your Quote.
| Method | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Tilt-Tray / Side-Loader | 10ft – 40ft containers, standard sites | The container is slid or tilted off the truck bed onto the ground. Requires clear, straight access and space behind the truck. |
| Crane / HIAB Truck | Tight sites, elevated placement, precise positioning | The container is lifted and placed. Requires overhead clearance and stable ground for outriggers. Additional cost. |
| Flatbed / Semi-Trailer | Interstate freight, multiple units | You provide unloading equipment (forklift or crane) at the destination, unless otherwise arranged. |
| Customer Collection | Buyers with their own transport | Free of charge from our Botany yard, by appointment. See clause 6. |
Unless your Quote expressly states that delivery is included, all prices are ex-yard, Botany NSW, and delivery is charged separately.
Delivery cost is calculated on:
All timeframes are estimates only and are not guaranteed. Typical indicative timeframes once payment has cleared and delivery is scheduled:
| Destination | Indicative timeframe |
|---|---|
| Sydney metropolitan | 2 – 5 business days |
| Regional NSW | 3 – 10 business days |
| Interstate capital cities | 5 – 15 business days |
| Regional & remote interstate | 10 – 25 business days |
| Modified / custom units | Add build time as stated in your Quote |
| International export | Subject to vessel schedules — see clause 12 |
Delivery is scheduled only after payment has been received in full and cleared, unless credit terms have been agreed in writing.
You are welcome to collect your container from our Botany yard free of charge, by prior appointment.
Yard hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm; Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm. Closed Sundays and public holidays.
Site preparation is your responsibility. Most failed deliveries are caused by site conditions, not transport. Please check every item below before your delivery date.
We are not responsible for damage to driveways, kerbs, paving, lawns, landscaping or underground services caused during delivery where access and placement were directed or approved by you.
A delivery is treated as failed where our carrier attends the Delivery Point but cannot complete delivery because:
Where delivery fails for any of these reasons, a failed delivery fee is payable, and re-delivery is charged at full cost. Both are payable before the container is re-dispatched.
Please give us at least 48 hours' notice to reschedule a confirmed delivery without charge.
Placing a shipping container on your property may require council approval, a development application, or a permit — particularly for long-term placement, habitable conversions, or units visible from the street.
Where a container is to be placed on a road, nature strip, footpath or public land, a council permit and traffic management may be required.
Obtaining any necessary permits or approvals is your responsibility. ECS does not apply for permits on your behalf and is not liable for any fine, removal order, or loss arising from placement without required approval.
Risk in the container passes to you at the earlier of:
Title in the container remains with ECS until payment is received in full and cleared. You are responsible for insuring the container from the moment risk passes to you. We recommend arranging marine transit insurance for all export shipments.
We export containers from Australia to Europe, the United States, Canada and Asia. Export orders are individually quoted and confirmed in writing.
Containers sold for sea cargo use are supplied Cargo Worthy and, where required, with a valid CSC plate. Containers graded Wind & Water Tight or As-Is are not certified for sea cargo. Modified containers may lose Cargo Worthy certification.
We will not export where doing so would breach Australian export controls, sanctions laws, or the laws of the destination country.
Every export Quote specifies an Incoterm® (Incoterms® 2020), which determines exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins. The most common terms we trade on:
| Incoterm | We are responsible for | You are responsible for |
|---|---|---|
| EXW Ex Works |
Making the container available at our Botany yard. | Everything from collection onward — loading, transport, export clearance, freight, insurance, import. |
| FOB Free On Board |
Transport to the port, export clearance, and loading onto the vessel. | Sea freight, insurance, destination charges, import duties and delivery. |
| CFR Cost & Freight |
All of the above, plus sea freight to the destination port. | Insurance, destination charges, import duties and final delivery. |
| CIF Cost, Insurance & Freight |
All of the above, plus marine insurance to the destination port. | Destination charges, import duties, customs clearance and final delivery. |
If you are unsure which term suits your purchase, contact us and we will explain the practical difference in cost and risk for your destination.
Unless your Quote expressly states otherwise, all import duties, taxes, customs brokerage, quarantine and destination charges are payable by you and are not included in the container price or freight cost.
These charges are levied by the destination country's authorities, not by ECS, and we have no control over their amount. Failure to pay them may result in the container being held, incurring demurrage, or being disposed of by the port authority — at your cost.
Domestic Australian sales are inclusive of GST where applicable. Export sales may be GST-free where the relevant conditions under Australian tax law are met.
Please inspect your container on delivery or collection. Any claim for visible transit damage, shortage or incorrect item must be notified to us in writing within 48 hours of delivery, with photographs.
Where possible, note any visible damage on the delivery docket before signing. Signing a clean docket may limit your ability to claim for visible transit damage.
Nothing in this clause limits your rights under the Australian Consumer Law. Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under that law — see our Terms & Conditions.
We are not liable for loss, cost or inconvenience arising from delivery delays. Delivery and transit estimates are not contractual commitments.
We are not liable for any failure or delay caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including extreme weather, flood, fire, pandemic, industrial action, port congestion or closure, vessel delays or rollovers, shipping line schedule changes, container shortages, road closures, government action or sanctions.
Containers are held free of charge for fourteen (14) days from the date we notify you that they are ready for collection or delivery.
Beyond that period, reasonable storage fees may be charged. Where a container remains uncollected and storage fees remain unpaid for an extended period, we reserve our rights at law, including the right to resell the container to recover amounts owed.
Questions about delivery, export, site suitability or an existing shipment: