Please note the below packaging advice following the Rodent Eradication Program that was undertaken on Lord Howe Island and the significant investment in biosecurity measures that have been made by the NSW Government, Lord Howe Island Board and Birdon to prevent rodents from being transported to the island in cargo being shipped by the Island Trader.

The recent discovery of rodents on the island has led to more stringent biosecurity measures being implemented for the packaging of cargo booked to be shipped to the island.

All goods being delivered to the Island Trader Freight Facility must be securely packaged and accessible for inspection. Goods that do not meet the below packaging standards risk being rejected from being shipped to Lord Howe Island aboard the Island Trader.

• Where possible, goods are to be delivered for shipping in a suitably rodent proof container such as a HDPE plastic pallet crate with lid.
• Goods delivered on pallets must prevent rodent access to the goods via entry through the top of the pallet. Pallets are required to have a solid, impenetrable topside or to be covered by a solid piece of plywood, plastic or other piece of solid sheeting laid on top of the pallet prevent pest access to the underside of the cargo.
• There are to be no holes, punctures, tears, unsealed overlaps/joins, or any other apertures in the wrapping. If so, the cargo will be treated as improperly wrapped/sealed cargo.
• All palletised goods are to be plastic wrapped in clear plastic (including undersides, corners, joins, etc.) to limit pest access and to assist in visual inspection.
• All piping, conduit. hoses, hollow section steel/metals, or any other cargo which has an opening or aperture with an internal diameter of 5mm or greater must have all openings/ends capped, wrapped, or fully taped using a heavy-duty tape (eg. duct, cloth, or gaffer tape), so that any rodent entry can be deterred or detected.
• Goods delivered to the Island Trader Freight Facility must provide means for allowing biosecurity inspections to take place. Items such as lockable boxes and builder’s cabinets must allow access for the inspection of contents prior to goods being accepted for shipment. Birdon and Biosecurity Officers shall be entitled to inspect all cargo delivered for shipment.
• Water tanks that are fully sealed with no accessible openings.
• Gas bottles. IBCs and skip bins are to be clean and clear of any debris including spider webs or soil. Only containers meeting these basic requirements will be accepted for shipping.
• Coolroom and freezer cargo will continue to be received in pallet cages as per existing arrangements.
• Boxes and cartons must be sealed with correct packing tape in a “H” pattern top and bottom and have no protrusions extending out from the box/carton.

The above conditions of delivery are the minimum biosecurity standards required for goods being shipped to Lord Howe Island. We look forward to your support in meeting these standards and will be firm in the application of these standards when accepting goods being delivered to the Island Trader Freight Facility.

For detailed instructions on how to package your item for delivery please call 0417 892 642.