Transport your own shipping container

Yes. FlowState Logistics moves customer owned shipping containers. Across town, to a regional property or interstate, loaded or empty. Tell us where it is and where it is going. You get an instant price online between Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, and to many regional centres on the rail network, and a confirmed quote by email within one business day.

What we need to know

• The size: choose the length, 20ft or 40ft. If it is a high cube, say so in the "Anything we should know" box.
• Empty or loaded, and roughly what is in it. An empty 20ft weighs about 2.2 tonnes and an empty 40ft about 3.8 tonnes.
• Where it sits and where it is going: both suburbs, and where on each property.
• Anything fitted to the outside of the container, such as a roof frame, an awning, steps or an air conditioner.
• A date, or even a rough timeframe.

Moving it by road

Within a city and to nearby regional areas the move usually runs by road, and road moves do not need a CSC plate. Interstate moves, and longer runs up the Queensland coast, usually go by rail and need the plate. Your quote says which way your container is travelling.

On the road, most 20ft containers loaded up to 10 tonnes go on a tilt tray. Heavier 20ft containers and 40ft moves are done by side loader.

A tilt tray needs firm, level ground, clear overhead and a straight run of about 15 to 20 metres. If either site is tight, send us a photo and we will check it with the operator before we book.

Moving it by rail

Rail moves run terminal to terminal with a truck at each end. The main things your container needs to travel by rail:

• A current CSC plate. It is usually on the left hand door, and a quick photo lets us check it before we book. If there is no plate, or it has expired, the container needs a survey to get one. That is an extra cost and we can organise it.
• To be structurally sound and able to be lifted from the top.
• Doors and any external fittings secured with a rated padlock or a seal, and any contents secured so nothing shifts.

Weight, anything fitted to the outside and dangerous goods matter too. The full list is on our page about shipping containers by rail and the CSC plate.

Weight

The price is based on the gross weight of the container and what is in it, so we ask you to declare it as accurately as you can. A container that turns out to be over its declared weight, or over the maximum allowed, may be refused travel. If you are not sure, the calculator's weight bands describe what usually sits in each one.

Modified containers

Tell us about any modification, attachment or fitting on the outside of the container. Rail corridors have fixed clearance limits, and a container outside them needs a Provisional Load Approval from the rail operator, which takes at least five working days and may attract extra charges. On road moves, send us a photo and we will confirm the truck.

Dangerous goods

Dangerous goods must be declared when you enquire and need separate approval.

What is included

• Every leg of the move and the standard terminal lifts in one price. If a third party fee such as Container Chain applies, it is shown in your confirmed rate.
• Goods in transit insurance, plus public liability. If you are moving vehicles, machinery or anything unusual, tell us and we will sort the cover for it.
• One point of contact start to finish, who books the trucks and the rail, tracks the move and keeps you updated.

Get a price for your container

Enter both suburbs, the size and the weight band in the calculator and choose "I have my own". Your price shows on the spot between Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, and to many regional centres on the rail network. Other regional and remote moves are priced by hand within one business day. More on how interstate moves run is on our interstate container transport page.