Port of Melbourne shipping covers Australia's largest container and general cargo port, at the mouth of the Yarra River at the north of Port Phillip. It handles more than 3 million TEU a year through three international container terminals, plus vehicles, breakbulk and bulk cargo. This guide explains the terminals, what cargo the port takes, the dangerous goods rules, customs and biosecurity at Melbourne, and how to ship there from Dubai, step by step. We ship both ways: from Dubai to Melbourne and from Melbourne to Dubai.
Port of Melbourne at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Mouth of the Yarra River, at the north of Port Phillip, Victoria |
| UN/LOCODE | AUMEL |
| Port manager | Port of Melbourne, a private operator holding a 50-year lease from 2016 |
| Navigation and safety | Ports Victoria, the state body |
| Berths | More than 30 commercial bay and river berths |
| International container terminals | Three: Patrick and DP World at Swanson Dock, VICT at Webb Dock |
| Container volume | More than 3 million TEU a year, over one third of Australia's container trade |
| Ship visits | Around 3,000 commercial ship visits a year |
| Container shipping lines | Around 25 call at the port |
| Other cargo | Ro-ro vehicles, breakbulk, dry bulk, bulk liquids, Tasmanian trade, cruise |
| Shipping to Dubai | The shipper or its broker lodges the export declaration in the ABF's ICS; arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah |
What is the Port of Melbourne and who runs it?
The port sits mostly in West Melbourne along the lower Yarra, with Webb Dock and Station Pier on the bay at Port Melbourne. Two bodies share the work. Port of Melbourne, a private company, manages the port land, the shipping channels and the navigation aids. In 2016 the Victorian Government leased the port's commercial operations to the Lonsdale consortium for 50 years. Ports Victoria, a state body, manages maritime navigation and operational safety in port waters, including dangerous goods notifications.
For you as a shipper, the terminal operator matters more than either. Your container is discharged, stored and released by one of three stevedores, and your trucking company must book a slot at that terminal to collect it.
A short history of the port
Swanson Dock, the container dock on the Yarra, opened on 7 March 1969. In 2006-07 Melbourne became the first Australian port to handle two million TEU in a year. A state corporation managed the port from 2003 until the 2016 lease, and today Melbourne still carries more than a third of the country's container trade.
Channel and ship access
Ships reach Melbourne through Port Phillip and a dredged channel. The Port Phillip Channel Deepening Project ran from 2008 to November 2009 and gave a minimum 14-metre draught at all times. Ship size is a question for the carrier, not the cargo owner, but it explains why some services call at Webb Dock, which sits on the bay, rather than the river berths.
Which terminals does the Port of Melbourne have?
Ports Victoria says the port has three international container terminals. Two are at Swanson Dock on the Yarra and one is at Webb Dock on the bay.
The east side of Swanson Dock (Patrick)
Patrick Terminals runs its Melbourne terminal at Swanson Dock East. Patrick lists three berths on an 885-metre quay, 40 hectares with 6,435 ground slots, 1,202 reefer plugs and a capacity of 1.5 million TEU. Its PortRail Melbourne terminal has two dual-gauge rail sidings of 600 metres each with a direct link to the container terminal.
The west side of Swanson Dock (DP World)
DP World runs the container terminal on the west side of Swanson Dock. Swanson Dock opened on 7 March 1969, and the west side has 944 metres of wharves and seven container cranes. Appleton Dock, next to it, handles general cargo.
Webb Dock East (VICT)
Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT), at 78 Webb Dock Drive in Port Melbourne, describes itself as Australia's first fully automated container terminal, with capacity of over 1 million TEU a year. It is the newest of the three.
Key terminal figures
| Terminal | Operator | Published figures |
|---|---|---|
| Swanson Dock East | Patrick | 3 berths, 885 m quay, 40 ha, 1,202 reefer plugs, 1.5 million TEU capacity, on-dock rail link |
| Swanson Dock West | DP World | 944 m of wharves, 7 container cranes |
| Webb Dock East | VICT | Fully automated, over 1 million TEU a year |
Reefer cargo is well served. Patrick alone lists 1,202 reefer plugs at its Melbourne terminal. The limit for chilled and frozen food is not plugs but import conditions: most food needs the documents BICON lists, and some needs an import permit before it ships.
Your bill of lading does not always name the terminal. Ask the carrier which terminal the vessel uses, because collection slots, storage rules and empty return points differ between them. Trucks collect boxes on booked slots; VICT, for example, runs a Vehicle Booking System for its landside operations.
Other docks and berths
| Area | What it handles |
|---|---|
| Webb Dock West | Ro-ro facility for motor vehicles |
| Webb Dock East 1 and 2 | Tasmanian general cargo |
| Appleton Dock | General cargo and breakbulk, with a dry bulk berth |
| South Wharf | General cargo |
| Maribyrnong (Coode Island) | Bulk liquids |
| Station Pier | Passenger and cruise ships |
What cargo can you ship through the Port of Melbourne?
| Cargo type | Where at Melbourne | What to check first |
|---|---|---|
| Dry containers (FCL and LCL) | Swanson Dock East and West, Webb Dock East | Biosecurity packaging and container cleanliness |
| Reefer containers | Container terminals with reefer plugs | Food import conditions in BICON |
| Vehicles | Webb Dock West ro-ro | Vehicle import rules, cleanliness, BMSB if in scope |
| Machinery and breakbulk | Appleton Dock and general cargo berths | Lifting plan, cleanliness, BMSB offshore treatment |
| Dry bulk | Appleton Dock dry bulk berth | Ports Victoria bulk dry cargo guideline |
| Bulk liquids | Maribyrnong | Terminal acceptance and hazardous activity authority |
| Dangerous goods in containers | Container terminals | DG Hub notice 24 hours before arrival |
Port of Melbourne shipping for FCL and LCL containers
Most cargo from Dubai arrives in Melbourne as containers. Our sea freight service books both FCL and LCL.
- FCL. A clean FCL with compliant packaging and no goods of biosecurity concern can be released from the terminal to an unpacking address in the Melbourne metropolitan area, subject to random checks.
- LCL. DAFF sends every LCL container to an approved arrangement site (Class 1.3 or 1.1) for unpacking. Biosecurity risk is managed for the whole box before your share is released, so LCL takes longer to clear.
If your goods are urgent or sensitive to delay, compare the two on landed time, not only on price. Our guide to FCL vs LCL costs shows how.
How containers move after discharge
A Victorian Department of Transport guide says most full import containers leave the port by road, and about 82% are staged at a transport operator's depot rather than going straight to the importer. That is because terminal pick-up times rarely match the hours a warehouse can receive goods. Rail links the port to inland intermodal terminals, which are used more for exports.
Empty containers go back one of three ways: to an empty container park named by the shipping line, directly to the stevedore terminal, or re-used for an export load through an exchange platform or the shipping line. The line sets where and by when the empty must be returned, and detention charges apply after that date under the bill of lading terms. Our guide to demurrage and detention explains free time.
Breakbulk and project cargo at Melbourne
Machinery, steel and oversized units that do not fit a standard box move on flat racks or open tops through the container terminals, or as breakbulk to the general cargo berths such as Appleton Dock and South Wharf. Vehicles move through the ro-ro facility at Webb Dock West.
The biosecurity rule shapes the whole plan. In the BMSB season, from 1 September to 30 April, target high risk goods shipped as break bulk, on flat racks or in open tops must be treated offshore before arrival. DAFF says untreated break bulk will be denied discharge or directed for export, and onshore treatment is not permitted. Machinery must also be free of soil and plant material. We collect drawings, weights and lifting points, agree lashing with the carrier and plan the UAE road move to the quay. See our break bulk and project cargo service.
Dangerous goods at the Port of Melbourne
Ports Victoria sets the dangerous goods rules in Melbourne's port area. Its December 2024 Dangerous Goods Management Guideline is the reference, and these are the points that affect a shipper:
- Advance notice. Ports Victoria must be notified at least 24 hours before dangerous goods arrive in the port area, by vessel or road. Notices are only accepted through DG Hub.
- 12-hour rule. Quantities over 500 kg of certain high-hazard DG must be removed from the berth within 12 hours of discharge, or delivered within 12 hours of loading. This covers Class 2.1 and 2.3 gases and packing group I goods in Classes 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 6.1 and 8.
- 5-day rule. Other dangerous goods must leave the berth within five days of discharge, or arrive no more than five days before loading. Containers under fumigation (UN 3359) are exempt.
- Oxidisers. Class 5.1 packing group I over 400 tonnes needs the regulator's consent. Ammonium nitrate and calcium hypochlorite in containers are limited to 400 tonnes in aggregate at ordinary berths.
- Explosives and radioactive material. Class 1 follows Ports Victoria's Class 1 management plan and Victoria's explosives regulations. Class 7 follows the IAEA rules and the health regulator.
In practice, plan for fast collection. If your consignee cannot pick up a high-hazard DG box on the day it lands, the terminal cannot keep it. Our dangerous goods shipping team gets carrier acceptance in Dubai and sends the DG data early so the consignee's agent can lodge the DG Hub notice. For segregation inside the box, see our guide to IMDG segregation in containers.
Customs clearance at the Port of Melbourne
Customs at Melbourne is run by the Australian Border Force (ABF) under national rules, through the Integrated Cargo System (ICS). The carrier reports the cargo before arrival. The importer, or a licensed customs broker, then lodges the declaration.
What does the Australian importer need?
| Consignment value | Declaration | Duty and GST |
|---|---|---|
| AUD 1,000 or less | Self-Assessed Clearance (SAC) | None for most goods; alcohol and tobacco always pay |
| Over AUD 1,000 | Import Declaration (N10) | All duties, taxes and charges, paid before release |
The ABF says the importer is responsible for the declaration and encourages first-time or infrequent importers to use a licensed customs broker. We send the documents to the consignee's broker before the vessel reaches Melbourne.
What documents do you need to clear cargo at Melbourne?
| Document | Why the broker or DAFF needs it |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Customs value, description and HS code for the N10 |
| Packing list | Matches goods to packages for customs and biosecurity |
| Bill of lading | Release from the carrier; its shipped-on-board date decides BMSB |
| Packing declaration | States packaging type, timber treatment and container cleanliness |
| Timber treatment certificate | Only when timber packaging or dunnage is used |
| Evidence of UAE origin | Only to claim the CEPA preferential rate |
| BMSB treatment certificate, sealing or NUFT declaration | Only for in-scope goods shipped 1 September to 30 April |
| Import permit | Only where BICON or ABF rules require one |
| DG declaration and safety data sheet | Only for dangerous goods |
Duty, GST and charges on goods landed at Melbourne
- Duty. The Australia-UAE CEPA has been in force since 1 October 2025. Schedule 16 of the Customs Tariff lists the lines where UAE-originating goods do not get a free rate, so most goods that qualify as UAE origin enter duty-free. Goods made elsewhere and re-exported from Dubai pay the rate for their real origin.
- GST. 10% of the value of the taxable importation: customs value plus duty plus transport and insurance to Australia.
- Import processing charge. AUD 50 for an electronic N10 between AUD 1,000 and 10,000, and AUD 152 at AUD 10,000 or more.
- Biosecurity charge. AUD 71 per Full Import Declaration for sea cargo.
Biosecurity checks at Melbourne
Biosecurity is where most delays at Melbourne start. DAFF checks the container, the packaging and the goods.
- The container must be free of soil, plant material and animal matter inside and out. Contaminated containers are treated at the importer's expense.
- Timber packaging must meet DAFF's treatment and bark rules, and prohibited packaging must be declared under the Non-Commodity case in BICON.
- A packing declaration and any timber treatment certificate go with the documents.
- If the unpacking address is outside the metro area, the box needs a rural tailgate inspection first.
- Goods with their own import conditions, such as food, plant and animal products, need the documents BICON lists.
BMSB season for cargo from Dubai
The 2026-27 brown marmorated stink bug season covers goods shipped between 1 September 2026 and 30 April 2027. The UAE is not a target risk country, but the measures cover goods manufactured in one. A European or US-made machine shipped from Jebel Ali in season can still need treatment. Goods stored in the UAE before 1 September are out of scope if trade documents prove it. For sealed containers, treatment can be offshore or onshore at container level. For LCL, the whole container is managed before unpacking.
How to ship from Dubai to the Port of Melbourne: step by step
Sea freight to Melbourne normally loads at Jebel Ali. Our Jebel Ali port shipping guide covers the export side. Fluent Cargo's schedule data lists its quickest Khor Fakkan to Melbourne option at about 26 days 5 hours with one transfer, sailing every 1 to 2 weeks. Check the arrival date on your booking before you promise delivery.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers or services we actually book from Jebel Ali to Melbourne, direct or transshipped, which Melbourne terminal they use, and our typical port-to-port days]
- Confirm the HS code, origin and Incoterm, and check BICON for your goods.
- Check the BMSB calendar: ship date, tariff chapter and country of manufacture.
- Agree who lodges the import declaration in Australia: the importer or a licensed broker.
- We book space with the carrier and confirm the cut-off at Jebel Ali.
- Pack in a clean container with compliant packaging and prepare the packing declaration.
- We arrange UAE trucking, export customs clearance and gate-in.
- For DG, we pass the data to the consignee's agent for the DG Hub notice.
- After sailing, we send the bill of lading, invoice, packing list and certificates to the broker.
- The broker lodges the N10 in the ICS and answers biosecurity questions.
- Once released, the trucker books a terminal slot, delivers the box and returns the empty on time.
[AMIR-FACT: one real Dubai to Melbourne shipment we handled (cargo, terminal, days from booking to release, any biosecurity or DG issue solved), cleared for publication]
How to ship from the Port of Melbourne to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Melbourne to Dubai, with arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah port. We book the space with the carrier and run the UAE side. The Australian export papers stay with the shipper or its Australian agent.
The Australian export side
- Export declaration. The exporter, the owner of the goods or their agent lodges it with the Australian Border Force, electronically through the Integrated Cargo System (ICS). The ABF recommends using a customs broker. The ICS issues an Export Declaration Number (EDN) for each declaration.
- When it is needed. Goods worth more than AUD 2,000 must be declared, and so must goods that need an export permit (whatever their value), goods with a duty drawback claim and dutiable goods where the duty is unpaid.
- Timing. A declaration can be lodged up to six months before export, one per consignment from one consignor to one consignee.
- Pickup. The shipper or its trucker books a terminal slot and delivers the box to Swanson Dock or Webb Dock.
The UAE import side
For cargo landing at Jebel Ali, the import declaration goes to Dubai Customs with the commercial invoice, the packing list, the bill of lading, a certificate of origin and any permit needed for restricted goods. Customs duty is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes. Import VAT is 5%, and a VAT-registered importer can account for it on its VAT return. For goods of Australian origin, the Australia-UAE CEPA has been in force since 1 October 2025, and Austrade says it removes over 99% of UAE tariffs on Australian exports by value. A preference needs proof of origin from the shipper, so confirm it before the cargo sails.
- Send us the shipper's details in Melbourne, the cargo, the HS code, the Incoterm and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space with a carrier from Swanson Dock or Webb Dock and send the booking and cut-offs to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker picks up the empty, stuffs it and delivers the box to the terminal before the cut-off.
- The shipper or its customs broker files the export declaration in the ICS.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list before it is issued.
- We file the UAE customs declaration before the vessel arrives.
- We arrange payment of the duty and VAT and collect the delivery order from the line.
- We truck the box to your site and return the empty inside the free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Melbourne to Jebel Ali/Khalifa/Sharjah and our real transit days in this direction]
Checklist before you ship to Melbourne
- Origin of the goods known and documented for CEPA.
- BICON checked for import conditions and any permit.
- BMSB status checked, with evidence if relying on storage in the UAE.
- Container cleaned inside and out before loading.
- Timber packaging treated and marked, or no timber used.
- Packing declaration signed.
- Licensed broker in Australia named and briefed.
- Melbourne terminal confirmed with the carrier.
- Delivery address confirmed as metro or rural.
- For DG: carrier acceptance and a plan to collect within the berth time limit.
Common mistakes at the Port of Melbourne
- Assuming BMSB does not apply because the ship left from Dubai.
- Untreated machinery on a flat rack in season. It can be refused discharge.
- Bark-covered or untreated timber pallets.
- Choosing LCL for urgent goods without allowing for depot unpacking.
- Late DG Hub notice, or no truck ready for a 12-hour DG box.
- Not knowing which terminal the vessel uses, then missing the collection slot.
- Returning the empty to the wrong park or after the line's deadline.
- Claiming CEPA duty-free entry for goods only re-exported through Dubai.
Melbourne or another Australian port?
| If your consignee is in | Usually ship to |
|---|---|
| Victoria or southern New South Wales | Melbourne |
| Tasmania | Melbourne, then the Bass Strait services from Webb Dock |
| Sydney and most of New South Wales | Sydney (Port Botany) |
| South-east Queensland | Brisbane |
| Western Australia | Fremantle |
| South Australia | Adelaide |
Moving a container between states by road or rail is long and adds cost, so land it at the port nearest the consignee where you can.
Frequently asked questions
What is the port code for Melbourne?
The UN/LOCODE for the Port of Melbourne is AUMEL. Use it on bookings and documents.
Who runs the Port of Melbourne and its channels?
Port of Melbourne, a private operator on a 50-year lease from 2016, manages the port land and channels. Ports Victoria, a state body, manages navigation and safety. Patrick, DP World and VICT run the three container terminals.
How big is the Port of Melbourne?
Ports Victoria says it handles more than 3 million TEU a year, over one third of Australia's container trade, with more than 30 commercial berths and around 3,000 ship visits a year.
Which container terminals are at Melbourne?
Swanson Dock East (Patrick), Swanson Dock West (DP World) and Webb Dock East (VICT). Ask your carrier which one your vessel uses.
How long does shipping from Dubai to Melbourne take?
Fluent Cargo's schedule data shows a quickest option of about 26 days from Khor Fakkan to Melbourne with one transfer. Times vary by carrier, so check your booking.
Do I need to notify the port about dangerous goods?
Yes. Ports Victoria must receive notice through DG Hub at least 24 hours before dangerous goods arrive in the port area.
Does BMSB apply to cargo from Dubai to Melbourne?
The UAE is not a target risk country, but goods made in one can still be in scope if shipped between 1 September and 30 April. Proof of storage in the UAE before 1 September can take them out of scope.
Can I ship vehicles to Melbourne?
Yes. Vehicles move through the ro-ro facility at Webb Dock West or in containers. They must be clean of soil and plant material, and vehicles are in the BMSB high risk chapters if made in a target risk country and shipped in season.
Why is my LCL cargo slow to clear at Melbourne?
Every LCL container goes to an approved depot for unpacking, and biosecurity risk is managed for the whole box before single consignments are released.
Can you ship cargo from Melbourne to Dubai?
Yes. The shipper or its Australian broker lodges the export declaration in the ICS, needed above AUD 2,000 or for permit goods. We book the space, file the UAE declaration, arrange payment of the 5% duty and 5% VAT, and deliver from Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah.
Get a quote for Port of Melbourne shipping
Send us your cargo details, the delivery address in Victoria, the Incoterm and where the goods were made, and we will come back with a routing and a price. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a DG, breakbulk or BMSB-season shipment first. You can also read more about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- Ports Victoria: Port of Melbourne
- Ports Victoria: Dangerous goods at the port of Melbourne
- Ports Victoria: Dangerous goods management guideline, December 2024
- Port of Melbourne: Commercial shipping
- Patrick Terminals: Melbourne terminal and PortRail
- Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT)
- Victorian Department of Transport: Container freight industry guide, September 2022
- Wikipedia: Port of Melbourne (docks, lease, channel deepening, LOCODE)
- Wikipedia: Swanson Dock
- DAFF: Cargo containers, biosecurity aspects and procedures
- DAFF: Seasonal measures for BMSB
- DAFF: Preparing to import goods during the BMSB season
- ABF: Import declarations
- ABF: Import processing charges and biosecurity charges
- ABF: GST and other taxes
- ABF: Current tariff classification (Schedule 16, UAE)
- Austrade: Australia-UAE CEPA
- Fluent Cargo: Dubai to Melbourne
- ABF: Export declarations (who lodges, ICS, six months)
- ABF: Export requirements (AUD 2,000 threshold, permits)
- ABF: ICS enhancement notice (EDN status)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (documents)
- UAE Government portal: Customs duty (5% of CIF, alcohol 50%, cigarettes 100%)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide (5% rate, import VAT)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026