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.

In line with SOLAS (Safety of Lives at Sea) regulations, all marine terminals in the Ivory Coast are now allowed to use their certified scales to record Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of shipments. Download our Ivory Coast VGM policy and terminal guidelines for more information.

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?

• myMSC (Free of Charge) 
• EDI (via INTTRA; GT NEXUS; Cargo Smart)
• Manually (via INTTRA; GT NEXUS; Cargo Smart)
• Email: CIV-info@msc.com (note: the email will only be monitored for VGM declarations)

 
Guidelines for submitting your VGM instructions

• MSC prefers to receive a Shipper-Verified Gross Mass (VGM) before cargo is delivered. 
• Any Shipper of Record-signed VGM will override any VGM derived at or by the terminal.
• For truck delivery, the ultimate deadline for VGM submission will be 12:00 noon local time on the day of the cargo cut-off. 
• There are currently no US terminals with a “NO VGM – No GATE” policy. 
• All rail shipments must have the VGM submitted within 24 hours of the container gating in at the origin rail ramp, to avoid any extra fees levied by the terminal for weighing services. Late gates will only be considered for approval when a VGM is submitted by the Shipper of Record before 12:00 noon, local time, on the day of the cargo cut-off. 

MSC admin fees and costs 

• Manual VGM Submission Fee (applies to email, fax, and inclusion on standard shipping instructions): 25 USD per container. 
• Late VGM Submission Fee: 25 USD per container. 
• VGM Misdeclaration Fee: 300 USD per misdeclaration, per container.

It is illegal to bring the following items into or out of the Ivory Coast.
 
Imports

• Articles containing dog or cat fur 
• Designated plants 
• Absinthe (if not compliant with specific regulations) 
• Matches containing white phosphorus 
• Ceramic tableware the lead content in the glaze of which exceeds a certain limit 
• Jadeites or rubies (whether contained in jewellery or not) mined in Myanmar 
• Gold coins if originating in specific countries (e.g. Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, Sudan) 
• Counterfeit money 
• Certain weapons, e.g. specific switchblade knives 
• Media with immoral or seditious content, such as child pornography
• Goods prohibited in the scope of economic sanctions, e.g. all Cuban-made articles or merchandise from Iran, Myanmar or Sudan 

Exports 

• Narcotics and some medication containing prohibited substances 
• Absinthe (or other alcohols containing Artemisia absinthium) 
• Endangered species that have not been outlined by CITES. To view the full list, visit the dedicated CITES page. 
• Items infringing trade and copyright regulations 

Ports and terminals
MSC operates services to and from the following Ivory Coast ports and terminals, with local teams in each location to support our customers. 
Abidjan Terminal is the primary gateway to the Côte d'Ivoire for containers. Excellent road connections also make it a major transit point for land-locked countries such as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.  

The following documents are the necessary for customs clearance, instructions for the delivery of the shipment, and verification of the identities of the involved parties.
Together, these elements are crucial for a smooth and secure shipping process
Customs Declaration document
Client's forwarder Delivery Instructions
Copy of forwarder or client ID card
Deposit (200,000 xof per TEU)
Rental agreement (when customer doesn’t pay cash deposit)