What is demurrage?
Demurrage is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, for the use of the carrier’s container (full or empty) outside the marine terminal.
 
In case of a demurrage dispute, email GT495-COMMERCIAL@MSC.COM (email subject: Dispute + Invoice Number), describing the reasons for your dispute. 
 
What are storage charges?
A storage charge is applicable, after the free time expires, for containers left inside the container yard (for the use of the land).

Payment method

Payments should be carried out at the bank and/ or via wire transfers or bank deposit.

Kindly see below wire transfer information: 

PAYMENT IN QUETZALES
BAC GUATEMALA
ACCOUNT 902375880
NAME MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING COMPANY GUATEMALA S.A.
REFERENCE BL NUMBER OR INVOICE NUMBER

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.

In line with SOLAS (Safety of Lives at Sea) regulations, all marine terminals in Guatemala are now allowed to use their certified scales to record Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of shipments.

What do I need to include in my VGM instructions?

• Booking or Bill of Lading (BL) number 
• Container number 
• VGM + weight measurement unit (lbs. or kgs.) 
• Responsible party name 
•  Digital signature of the authorized 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: GT495-COMMERCIAL@MSC.COM (note: the email will only be monitored for VGM declarations)

Guidelines for submitting your VGM instructions

• We encourage customers to submit their Shipper-Verified Gross Mass (VGM) before cargo is delivered. This helps to avoid any unexpected weighing charges being levied against the cargo at Guatemala port of loading, which will be billed to the shipper of record.
• 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 Guatemala 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.

Questions about VGM?
Contact our Guatemala Team: GT495-COMMERCIAL@MSC.COM

IMO CLASS 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.3 / 1.4 / 1.5 / 1.6 / 4.3 / 6.2 / 7 are not allowed to discharge in Guatemala.

For more details contact GT495-COMMERCIAL@MSC.COM 

 MSC operates services to and from the following Guatemala ports and terminals, with local teams in each location to support our customers.