What is detention? 
Detention is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, for the use of the carrier’s full container inside the marine terminal, railroad facilities or container yard. This charge can also apply while the container is undergoing US customs inspections, or while the cargo inside the container is being reworked for safety reasons.   

What is demurrage? 
Demurrage is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, inside the terminal for the use of the land.  

In case of a demurrage dispute, email:  ba593-import@msc.com (email subject: Dispute + Invoice Number), describing the reasons for your dispute.  

What is Per Diem? 
Per Diem is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, for the use of the carrier’s container (full or empty) outside the marine terminal, rail ramp or container yard.   

In case of Per Diem disputes, email: ba593-import@msc.com, mentioning the invoice number in the email subject. Please describe the reasons for your dispute in accordance with terms of the UIIA: https://www.uiia.org  

Our dispute team will come back to you within 48 business hours. 

What are storage charges? 
A storage charge is applicable, after the free time expires, for containers left inside the rail ramp or container yard (for the use of the land).

Questions about detention, demurrage, Per Diem or storage charges? Contact us.

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 the USA 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? 
- You must include the following on all VGM instructions:  
- Booking or Bill of Lading (BL) number  
- Container number  
- VGM + weight measurement unit (lbs. or kgs.)  
- Responsible Party Name  

How can I submit my VGM instructions? 
- myMSC (Free of Charge)  
- EDI (via INTTRA) 
- Manually (via INTTRA) 

Guidelines for submitting your VGM instructions 
MSC prefers to receive a Shipper-Verified Gross Mass (VGM) before cargo is delivered. This helps to avoid any unexpected weighing charges being levied against the cargo at the US 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.  

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): 24 EUR per container.  

Questions about VGM? 
Contact our BA team. 

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 the BA. 

Nationwide trucking and rail 
- To simplify your supply chain, we offer inland services via third-party vendors. 

Port forwarding and cargo insurance 
- We offer cost-efficient port forwarding and insurance 

Ports and terminals

MSC BA operates services to and from the following CROATIA, MONTENEGRO and SLOVENIA ports.