Freight

We usually pack equipment on pallets, in transporter cases, or in boxes. This depends on a range of factors, including:

• staff and facilities available at your institute
• shipping method (air, sea, road/rail)
• access for inspectors en route (e.g., customs or dangerous goods).

In most instances, we provide dimensions for the borrower to quote and book freight directly with their preferred carrier. This simplifies billing and insurance arrangements. However, we will still assist with technical details throughout your booking if needed.

Directions for return freight will be provided with your Supply Agreement.

Arrive clean, leave clean

Plan ahead to ensure your teams have the time and tools they need to avoid moving organic material between sites and regions. Factors to consider include site conditions, vehicle capacity, water and laundry access.

At minimum, we ask users to follow the basic checklists below for sites in low-risk biosecurity areas. If you are working in higher-risk areas, please discuss your field hygiene plan with us as early as possible, so we can coordinate pre and post-treatments.

Before install: We will do our best to supply clean instruments, but please do a quick final check for seeds and stowaways before burial.

Before leaving the site:

1. Brush off as much dirt as possible.
2. Inspect crevices for insects, eggs, seeds, etc.
3. Wipe instruments clean if placing directly into foam or textile cases.

Before packing equipment for return:

1. Check again for insects and loose debris.
2. Check that data cards are removed (and safely stored).
3. Wipe surfaces clean with diluted castile or other mild soap (keeping connectors and electronics dry).
4. Let everything dry well before packing.

Can we pay ANU Earth Imaging to do it for us?

No, sorry. We recommend 'cleaning as you go' to minimise movement of organic material, and this includes movement back to our territory and campus. We understand this wasn't always considered necessary, and appreciate how quickly and willingly the community has adapted to this change.

Your efforts also directly improve our research and support capacity, as dirty returns complicate operations in our lab and workshop.

How clean is clean enough?

We will post some example photos soon from our 2025/2026 summer backlog, indicating the standards considered reasonable for low-risk returns.

There will often be a few missed spots, which is why we do a second check before testing, and a third check before packing for the next experiment.

Interim solution for high-density arrays (Australia only)

More nodes = more cleaning!

In some Australian states, nodes can be installed inside disposable barrier bags to reduce soil contact. We've seen good results in flooded clay sites with 10um bags— the type used for produce.

This is only recommended in cases where manual cleaning is not feasible or sufficient.

Single-use plastics are not permitted in AoNZ and are being phased out in Australia. If you are considering this option for your experiment, contact us for help navigating:

• state regulations for single-use plastics
• suitable plastic types
• performance criteria.