Cargo Online

What Cargo Online does

Cargo Online Pty Ltd is an Australian privately held automotive logistics specialist founded in 2004, operating from Alexandria, NSW with 1-10 employees. The company provides end-to-end international vehicle shipping services to and from Australia, handling cars, motorcycles, boats, motorhomes, caravans, trailers, heavy machinery and motorsport vehicles via sea freight (sole-use containers, roll-on/roll-off, shared containers) and airfreight. Its customer base is dominated by individual consumers — relocating expats, classic-car collectors, and enthusiasts — with a secondary commercial/motorsport segment served through a formal partnership program.

The company's revenue model is transaction-based: per-shipment fees for ocean freight and port handling, professional-service fees for licensed customs brokerage, and attach fees for marine insurance (2% of vehicle value plus a $150 policy fee), Vehicle Import Approvals, asbestos testing coordination, Border Force valuations, and carnet clearance. Differentiators emphasised in source material are domain specialisation in vehicles (rather than general freight forwarding), dedicated single-staff-member handling per shipment, and transparent all-inclusive quoting. Regulatory assets include a Corporate Customs Broker license from the Australian Border Force and an Agreed Arrangement with the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment.

Technology is not proprietary: the platform consists of standard website quote calculators (instant import/export quotes, LCT calculator), a booking form, and personal email/phone back-office coordination. Customer acquisition relies on SEO-driven website traffic, car-club and automotive community referrals, testimonials and Google reviews, motorsport event sponsorship (World Time Attack Challenge), and a B2B partnership program for bulk shipments. International agent networks — strongest on UK and New Zealand routes — handle destination-side coordination across more than 50 countries. No AI/ML capability, no funding history, and no M&A activity are disclosed.

Name

Cargo Online

Legal name

Cargo Online Pty Ltd

Website

https://cargoonline.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cargo Online is an Australian privately held automotive logistics specialist founded in 2004 that provides end-to-end international vehicle shipping, customs brokerage and compliance services to individual consumers, classic-car collectors and motorsport clients importing or exporting vehicles via sea and air freight.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Vehicle Shipping and Automotive Logistics

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

International Vehicle Shipping & Export (RoRo/Container) (HSAKAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Vehicle Shipping & Import Assistance (HSAKACAJ), Cross-Border Vehicle Logistics & Customs/Compliance (VIN, Documentation) (TLADAJAL), International Freight Forwarding (Air/Ocean) for Personal Effects (HSAKACAD), Export/Import Documentation Preparation (Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Shipper’s Letter of Instruction) (TLACAHAD)

Keywords

• International vehicle shipping
• Automotive logistics services
• Customs brokerage
• Vehicle import approvals
• Motorcycle boat shipping

Headquarters

HQ city

Seaforth

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. International Vehicle Shipping Services: Export and import sea freight services for vehicles including cars, camper vans, caravans, motorcycles, racing cars, trailers, and boats. Services include sole use containers, roll on/roll off, and shared container services.
2. Marine Insurance: Arranged marine insurance policies priced at 2% of the nominated vehicle value plus a $150 policy fee. Deductibles vary based on whether condition reports/photos exist ($500 vs $1000).
3. Customs Brokerage and Compliance Services: Licensed customs brokers providing clearance, asbestos testing coordination, Border Force valuations, and advice on import duties, import GST, and Luxury Car Tax. Vehicle Import Approval assistance.
4. Motorsport Logistics: Specialized logistics services for motorsport vehicles and events including World Time Attack Challenge support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cargo Online provides end-to-end international vehicle shipping services to and from Australia, including export and import sea freight via sole-use containers, roll-on/roll-off (RORO), and shared R-Rak containers, plus airfreight for time-sensitive shipments. The company handles cars, motorcycles, boats and yachts, motorhomes, campervans, caravans, trailers, racing vehicles, and heavy machinery, and complements shipping with licensed customs brokerage, Vehicle Import Approvals, asbestos testing coordination, Border Force valuations, Carnet clearance, marine insurance arrangement, and compliance/registration assistance. A dedicated staff member coordinates each shipment from quote through delivery, with no call-centre hand-offs.

Product overview

Cargo Online is an Australian automotive logistics specialist offering end-to-end international vehicle shipping services since 2004. The core offering centers on sea freight services for importing vehicles to Australia and exporting from Australia, utilizing three shipping methods: sole-use containers (for high-value, prestige, or non-running vehicles), roll-on/roll-off (RORO) for cost-effective standard vehicle transport, and shared containers using R-Rak systems from UK and USA. The service portfolio extends beyond cars to include motorcycles, boats/yachts, motorhomes, caravans, machinery, and specialty vehicles. Supporting the shipping core are complementary services including licensed customs brokerage, Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) processing, asbestos testing coordination (UK and USA), Border Force valuations, and compliance/registration assistance. Online tools include instant quote calculators for import and export routes, an LCT calculator for Luxury Car Tax estimates, and a booking form for confirmed shipments. The company also provides specialized offerings such as motorsport logistics and carnet clearance for temporary exports. Services are coordinated end-to-end with no hand-offs to separate providers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Sea Freight Shipping Export and import sea freight services for vehicles, available via three methods: sole-use containers for high-value or non-running vehicles, roll-on/roll-off (RORO) for cost-effective standard vehicles, and shared container (R-Rak) services from the UK and USA. Designed for individuals and businesses shipping cars, motorcycles, boats, motorhomes, caravans, machinery, and specialty vehicles.
• Air Freight Shipping Air cargo services for time-sensitive vehicle shipments to or from Australia, offered alongside sea freight options.
• Container Packing and Unpacking Professional container loading, securing, and unpacking of vehicles at depots to ensure safe transport during international shipment.
• Vehicle Import Approvals (VIA) Assistance with obtaining Vehicle Import Approvals from the Australian Department of Infrastructure, including guidance on eligibility schemes such as vehicles over 25 years old, Personal Import, Australian-plated re-imports, Race/Rally Vehicles, and RAWS.
• Customs Clearance and Brokerage Licensed Customs Broker services handling Australian Border Force clearance, duty calculations, Import GST processing, and regulatory compliance for vehicle imports and exports.
• Asbestos Testing Coordination Pre-shipment asbestos testing coordination in the UK and USA, including evidence preparation, sampling arrangements, and documentation to comply with Australian Border Force requirements for imported vehicles.
• Border Force Vehicle Valuations Vehicle valuation services for Australian Border Force customs duty assessments, including guidance for Pre-1989 vehicles, RAWS imports, and Personal Import Scheme valuations.
• Import Duty, GST and Luxury Car Tax Advisory Advice on applicable Australian government taxes for vehicle imports, including 5% import duty for vehicles under 30 years (free for older), 10% Import GST, and Luxury Car Tax (33% above the relevant threshold).
• Carnet Clearance Handling of Carnets for temporary vehicle exports and imports, enabling tax-free and duty-free international vehicle movements for touring or competition purposes (Carnets typically cost upwards of $1,500 and do not cover all countries).
• Motorsport Logistics Specialized logistics services for racing cars and motorsport vehicles, supporting event-based shipments and competitions such as the World Time Attack Challenge.
• Compliance and Registration Assistance Guidance and coordination with state compliance experts for Australian registration requirements, including modification advice and coordination with state registering authorities to bring imported vehicles to road-legal status.
• Boat and Yacht Shipping International boat and yacht shipping to and from Australia, including end-to-end logistics coordination, customs clearance, biosecurity compliance, and transport planning for oversized vessels.
• Motorcycle Shipping International motorcycle shipping services to and from Australia via container or RORO, including combined car and motorcycle container shipping where dimensions allow.
• Motorhome and Campervan Shipping Shipping services for motorhomes and campervans to and from Australia, including RORO and container options, handling vehicles that exceed standard container dimensions.
• Machinery Shipping Heavy machinery shipping to Australia, including earthmoving equipment, mining equipment, agricultural machinery, and oversized cargo requiring flat racks, open-top containers, or break-bulk handling.
• Caravan, Trailer and Specialty Vehicle Shipping Shipping services for vehicles including caravans, trailers, and other specialty vehicles not covered by standard car shipping categories.
• Vehicle Export Services from Australia Vehicle export services from Australia including RORO and container shipping, customs clearance, documentation support, and coordination with destination-country agents for cars, motorcycles, boats, motorhomes, and other vehicles.
• Marine Insurance Arrangement Arrangement of marine insurance policies priced at 2% of the nominated vehicle value plus a $150 policy fee, with deductibles of $500 if a condition report and photos are provided, or $1,000 otherwise.

Quantifiable outcome

• Established since 2004 - over 20 years of automotive shipping experience
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Complete Car CarecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRecommended compliance and mechanical workshop partner for vehicle compliance and registration services. Robert Gilbert at Complete Car Care is referenced as providing sterling service for vehicles imported to Australia. Partnership for 'cradle to grave' services particularly noted for NSW customers.
• Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA)minorOthersProfessional member of Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Pty Ltd. FTA is a trade association for freight and trade professionals.
• Australian Precast Shipping Association (APSA)minorOthersMember of APSA. Industry association membership for automotive shipping professionals.
• World Time Attack ChallengeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupported major motorsport event World Time Attack Challenge as a logistics partner for event logistics and vehicle shipping.
• Australian Border ForcecoreOthersLicensed by Australian Border Force under Customs Act 1901 as a Corporate Customs Broker. Agreed Arrangement with Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment. Essential regulatory and compliance partnership.
• International Shipping Agents NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEstablished network of international shipping agents for coordination at destination countries. Particularly strong relationships for UK and New Zealand routes allowing close coordination on receiving side of shipments.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Wallenius Wilhelmsen: Global RORO and vehicle logistics operator serving OEMs and finished vehicle shippers worldwide. Operates at carrier level (vessel owner) rather than broker, but its automotive supply chain services overlap with the routes Cargo Online's customers rely on.
• DHL Global Forwarding: One of the world's largest freight forwarders offering multimodal vehicle logistics, customs brokerage, and supply chain solutions. Broad incumbent whose automotive vertical overlaps Cargo Online's offering but at far greater scale and breadth.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Global freight forwarding and logistics major with dedicated automotive and high-value cargo divisions covering RORO, container, and airfreight. Comparable capabilities but as part of a much broader portfolio rather than a vehicle-specialist.

Direct peers

• MoveCars: Australian-based international vehicle shipping specialist offering RORO and container import/export services to individuals, dealers, and corporates. Direct competitor to Cargo Online in the Australian vehicle freight forwarding niche.
• Schumacher Cargo Logistics: US-headquartered freight forwarder specializing in international vehicle, motorcycle, and boat shipping with RORO, container, and air options. Comparable vehicle-specialist focus and cross-border service scope.
• International Auto Logistics (IAL): Vehicle-specific logistics provider handling RORO and container shipping, customs clearance, and door-to-door vehicle transport globally. Comparable end-to-end vehicle shipping business model.
• Reliable Carriers: North American enclosed and open vehicle transport specialist with international shipping capabilities. Comparable vehicle-only focus, though primarily domestic US rather than ocean freight.
• CFR Rinkens: Specialist in international classic, exotic, and high-value vehicle transport with container and air freight services. Highly comparable on niche vehicle shipping expertise and white-glove customs coordination.
• Billson Shipping Services: Australia-based vehicle and machinery shipping specialist handling international RORO and container transport, customs brokerage, and compliance. Overlaps Cargo Online on cars, machinery, and import regulatory services.
• Ship My Car (Motorship): Australian vehicle shipping broker focused on international car, motorcycle, and boat transport with RORO and container options. Directly comparable in target customer (individual vehicle owners) and service model.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cargo-online

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cargo Online