Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for introducing loose materials, in particular catalysts made up of small bodies, into tubes, containers and the like which has a number of charging units and a transport device (1) which moves all the charging units simultaneously. To achieve reliable and exact relocation of the filling units, the transport device comprises a baseplate (2) which can be moved back and forth, at least one piston-cylinder unit (3) fastened to the baseplate and one or more transport claws (5), with the transport claws being operatively connected to the piston-cylinder unit, being rotatable about a common axis and having their free end projecting through openings (6) in the baseplate into tubes (7), containers and the like and the length of the openings in the direction of movement of the baseplate being equal to or greater than the stroke of the piston-cylinder unit.