Connecting Norway to the world

At MSC we provide reliable and efficient shipping services both to and from Norway, working with a number of markets and suppliers around the world. MSC Norway is staffed by industry experts and moves more than 75,000 TEU of cargo per year. If you haven’t shipped to, or from, Norway before then we recommend viewing our in-depth country guide, which covers everything from general trade information to import and export procedures and will help you in moving your goods to and from Norway easily.

Contact our team to request a quote, book or find out more about our local services

LOCAL OFFICES INFORMATION

What is VGM?

Verified Gross Mass or VGM refers to the exact, verified weight of a packed container. For safety reasons, vessel operators can only load a container if its weight has been verified.

Government approval status

Norwegian Maritime Authority is the authority in charge, controlling the enforcement of the SOLAS container weighing verification in Norway
Tolerance of approved scales must be certified by Norwegian Metrology Service

What do I need to include in my VGM instructions?

You must include the following on all VGM instructions:

Booking or Bill of Lading (BL) number
Container number
VGM + weight measurement unit (kgs.)
Responsible Party Name
Digital signature of the authorised signatory in all CAPITAL LETTERS.

How can I submit my VGM instructions?

MY MSC - Free og Charge
EDI (via INTTRA; GT NEXUS; Cargo Smart) Free of Charge
Manual via mail 10 EUR pr container

Contact our customer service team: Oslofjord: nor-export.oslofjord@msc.com, Westcoast: nor-exportwestcoast@msc.com

Deadlines for sending your VGM instructions

Please check your booking confirmation for deadlines
For sailings during weekends and public holidays special conditions may apply
Late delivery of VGM will result non-loading of the container and/or booking.

Admin Fees and costs

MSC reserves the right to announce implementation of local VGM fee for late, misdeclared or manually inserted VGM.
In case a container is delivered to terminal without VGM, all additional costs (storage-plugging-liftings-etc) related to obtaining VGM in due time will be on shippers account.

Recommendations

MSC Norway should be informed in advance about the appointment of 3rd parties to provide the VGM.

Questions about VGM?

Contact our customer service team:

Oslofjord: nor-export.oslofjord@msc.com, Westcoast: nor-exportwestcoast@msc.com

At MSC, we believe that global success depends on local solutions and local expertise. Discover our complete range of services to support customers shipping to or from Norway:

Haulage – Trucking

Customs clearance

Questions? Start your journey

Ready to get started? Contact our Norwegian Team to request a quote, book or find out more about our local services.

Import: nor-import@msc.com

Export: nor-export@msc.com

Sales: nor-sales@msc.com

It is illegal to bring the following items into or out of Norway

Imports:

View the full list: https://www.visahq.com/norway/customs/#!import-regulations

Exports:

View the full list: https://www.visahq.com/norway/customs/#!export-regulations

Container Weighing (VGM)

All MSC local offices provide certified scales to record and verify container weight (verified gross mass or VGM) in line with Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAS) regulations. VGM instructions are mandatory for all shipments for safety reasons and vessel operators can only load a container if its weight has been appropriately verified. Contact your local MSC team for more information and support.

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