Qantas charging on weight rather than volume?

[mooky]

Im reading a bunch of different reports of people shipping bikes with Qantas that say:
a) theyre shipping the bike uncrated
b) Qantas are charging on weight rather than volume

However, when I speak to qantas, theyre adamant its charged on volume (if its higher than the weight - which it usually always is with a motorbike - quite often double).

So, whats the inside story here - who in Qantas do you have to speak to?

[Dave Milligan]

I think you might find that they consider each cubic metre to be the equivalent to 167kgs, so if they measure your bike as 3 cubic metres the weight will be calculated as 501kgs.

From memory this is a standard within the airline industry.

If uncrated ask if you can load your bike onto one of their airline pallets. Tie it down and then wrap the whole bike in cling wrap. Then when they measure it, hopefully the measurement will be the minimum possible.

Also when talking to Qantas I've heard it's better to speak directly to the staff at the freight depot rather than someone on the end of a phone.

Good luck.

[mooky]

Originally Posted by Dave Milligan

I think you might find that they consider each cubic metre to be the equivalent to 167kgs, so if they measure your bike as 3 cubic metres the weight will be calculated as 501kgs.

From memory this is a standard within the airline industry.

If uncrated ask if you can load your bike onto one of their airline pallets. Tie it down and then wrap the whole bike in cling wrap. Then when they measure it, hopefully the measurement will be the minimum possible.

Also when talking to Qantas I've heard it's better to speak directly to the staff at the freight depot rather than someone on the end of a phone.

Good luck.

Yeah, the volumetric weight calc is standard, I think its volume (cm2)/6000

BUT, here are a couple of links referring to qantas charging on actual weight rather than volumetric weight.
COSTS + PACKING
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...516#post191723

Id like to speak to them in person - but I am trying to get inbound (as well as outbound) shipping...

[RogerM]

It's always "whatever the greater" dollar cost is. Thats standard across all modes of transport - even the postal services.

It causes no end of confusion for first time users as they often do some calculations based on the cube only - because they cant weigh the item themselves. When it goes across the scales and through the cuber it comes up with a figure much higher than expected by the customer.

[Frank Warner]

It is not only Qantas.

Read http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...cles-air-21880

[maximondo]

I took the gamble at the start of this year and went with Qantas. It paid off, they only charged me for the weight of the bike and I was allowed to send as a dangerous good, with fuel, oil and a battery.

I asked them how do they choose which way they go - it turns out they just decided when you get there.

They are the easiest company I have ever dealt with when shipping my bike.
I would recommend sending with them.

[mooky]

T

Originally Posted by maximondo

I took the gamble at the start of this year and went with Qantas. It paid off, they only charged me for the weight of the bike and I was allowed to send as a dangerous good, with fuel, oil and a battery.

I asked them how do they choose which way they go - it turns out they just decided when you get there.

They are the easiest company I have ever dealt with when shipping my bike.
I would recommend sending with them.

Thanks for the reply Maxi.
I'll see what I can do to firm something up - the cost is a go-no-go factor on whether I bring my bike...

Sadly, it seems, Qantas dont want to deal directly here in the UK :-/.
They punted me off to a webpage with a list of shipping agents.

[mooky]

U

Originally Posted by maximondo

I took the gamble at the start of this year and went with Qantas. It paid off, they only charged me for the weight of the bike and I was allowed to send as a dangerous good, with fuel, oil and a battery.

I asked them how do they choose which way they go - it turns out they just decided when you get there.

They are the easiest company I have ever dealt with when shipping my bike.
I would recommend sending with them.

Yup, confirmed - its kinda up to the discretion of the port staff.

What bike did you ship?

[maximondo]

I shipped an Honda XR250. So it was in there best interest to charge me by volume rather than weight. But I was not going to complain.

It is strange that they are telling you to go to an shipping agent. I would recommend just going down there and asking at the counter. (I have the luxury of living in a small city where I can do that!)

Do not forget - shipping your bike uncreated is awesome! you do not have to worry about how to get it to the airport - you just drive. you do not have to worry about putting your bike back together on the other side (you either end up with un wanted help or things going missing) and lastly what do you do with the packaging.... good luck!

[DaveSmith]

How much was it and when did you do it? I've got a 250 in Melbourne but I'm in California.

[maximondo]

Off the top of my head is was around $2.50 per kg (ill confirm this tonight when I get home from work) plus Dangerous Goods Certificate which was about $100 and the Customs Clearance Certificate was free.
Make sure you have this before you want to send your bike - it takes a couple of days to process.

[Frank Warner]

Originally Posted by mooky

Sadly, it seems, Qantas dont want to deal directly here in the UK

Try BA .. go to the freight part of the airport and talk to them over the counter .. take the print out of regs from teh linked post I put up .. that will let them know you have some idea of what you are talking about .. while you are in that section of teh airport talk to teh Qantas guys too ..

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If the bike is 'uncreated' - they charge by weight. (too hard to measure the volume and they simply pack stuff around the bike if they want too. I'd remove the mirrors and any ohter sticking out bits (indicators) that could get broken off - put them in the pannires)

If the bike is created then they charge by weight or volume - whatever is the greater.