On this page
Lodgement
Security screening
Tracking
Electronic devices
Forms

Preparing for lodgement

Prior to lodging your cargo, please ensure you have reviewed and complied with the information below. Please note that all shipments must be prepared and lodged in compliance with our Cargo Conditions of Carriage.

 

Packaging requirements

  • Packaging must be of a standard that will ensure adequate protection of the content (including required temperature protections) and prevent spillage, leakage or contamination of other cargo.
  • For flowers, seafood and perishable cargo, packaging must meet the requirements outlined in the ‘Seafood and Perishable Cargo Transport by Air Requirements’ document.

Labels with shipments identification details

  • Package must be legibly and durably marked with the full name, address and contact number of the Shipper and Consignee (where multiple pieces are lodged under the same Air Waybill, subsequent pieces must be appropriately referenced with the Air Waybill number and piece sequence number). 
  • An optional template is available here for customers to complete and attach to the outer packaging.

Labels with handling advice (where applicable)

  • Dangerous Goods classification labels.
  • IATA-mandated categorisation labels (e.g. DG ‘overpack’, DG ‘limited quantities’, etc).
  • Seafood or perishable cargo labels.
  • Orientation labels (e.g. “this way up”).
  • Special handling labels (e.g. “keep cool wherever possible”).

Affixed paperwork requirements (where applicable)

Cargo electronic devices and data loggers

Ensure any data loggers or paperwork requirements meet the requirement outlined in the section below.

Cargo facility details

Prior to lodgement, we recommend familiarising yourself with the booked drop-off location and the respective lodgement cut-off time which can be found on the Our Cargo Network page.

Lodging Cargo 

When arriving at one of our facilities, please ensure you have the following information to present to our staff:

  • Air Waybill number (AWB)
  • Supplementary paperwork (if required)
    o For animal travel (AVI), refer to the Pet and Animal travel section here.
    o For seafood shipments, a completed copy of the ‘Shipper’s Seafood Carriage by Air Declaration and Check-Sheet’ must be presented at the time of lodgement.
  • Security pre-screening paperwork (if required)
    o If cargo is ‘pre-screened’ by a Regulated Air Cargo Agent (RACA) and is lodged by an Accredited Air Cargo Agent (AACA) or Known Consignor (KC), a physical copy of the Cargo Security Declaration (CSD) is required.

Security screening information

Cargo uplifted in Australia must be screened and cleared in accordance with the Department of Home Affairs’ requirements set out in the Piece Level Air Cargo Examination Notice. Any cargo that has been screened and cleared must hold a valid Cargo Security Declaration (CSD). In a small number of circumstances, cargo may receive clearance and be issued with a CSD without being examined. Such cargo must still be physically inspected to ensure the cargo does not show any signs of tampering or other irregularities that give rise to suspicion.

Virgin Australia lodgement times are set to ensure ample time for cargo to be screened and cleared in accordance with the above measures.

For more information on screening and clearing, please refer to the Department of Home Affairs website at Air Cargo and Aviation (cisc.gov.au)

Tracking cargo

If you would like to check the status of your cargo, please enter your Air Waybill (AWB) number into the tracking section on the Virgin Australia Cargo (VAC) Portal.

If you are an existing VAC account holder, you can also subscribe to cargo movement messages for your specific AWB though the VAC Portal.

View the latest Virgin Australia flight status information.

 

Collecting cargo 

Prior to collecting your cargo, please ensure the following:

Cargo facility details

We recommend familiarising yourself with the booked collection location and the respective collection time/s which can be found on the Our Cargo Network page.

Collection information

Please ensure you have your AWB number and Photo ID ready for presentation.

Supporting information: Cargo electronic devices

We recognise the requirement for cargo consignments to sometimes be tracked and monitored by our customers around the cargo network.  Virgin Australia Cargo accepts a variety of pre-approved cargo electronic devices (CEDs), cargo dataloggers (CDLs) and cargo tracking devices (CTDs) to support this requirement.  Assessments and approvals are undertaken in-line with the latest industry guidelines and safety regulations.

Please refer to the document below for the current list of approved tracking devices, operational limitations and information on the device approval process. 

Reference: Cargo Electronic Devices Approval List

NOTE: Shipments fitted with CEDs, CDLs or CTDs not approved by Virgin Australia will not be accepted for uplift.