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: 

How can I submit my VGM instructions?

Guidelines for submitting your VGM instructions

Questions about VGM?

Contact us at cze-exp@msc.com.

Waiting time

For truck positionings in Czech Republic in the MSC’ care there is free time for loading and eventual custom procedures 3 hours since delivery of the container to the first delivery place (unloading place or custom office). There’s not counted in this time the time of driving between stops. By exceeding this free time there will be charged waiting time for each commenced hour till the end of all activities or stops. Merchant is obliged to confirm the trucker the end of loading or unloading on a special form or in electronic device which are at driver’s disposal.

Overweighted shipments

In case the axle pressures of the road or railway limits are exceeded due to incorrect distribution of the cargo loaded in a container, the Merchant and the booking party will be charged a possible fine and any associated costs, as well as all costs and penalties incurred by incorrectly declared weight of goods.

Positioning cancelation

If cancellation of the transport by truck is done after 11:00 a.m. of the workday before appointment date, the Merchant and the booking party will be charged with all actual incurred costs connected with the transport.

If the Merchant or the booking party cancels the train from or to the port less than 72 hours before the scheduled departure, he may be charged with Dead Slot Fee for all actual incurred costs.

Container weighing

MSC can arrange weighing for VGM purposes in case of Carrier’s haulage shipment as an additional service. If the Merchant or the booking party submits a request to arrange weighing for VGM purposes within EDI booking, the service is subject to a fee; if afterwards once a booking is already processed, the fee is different.

VGM certificated is shared with Merchant or the booking party after the container is loaded with cargo by the Merchant or its subcontractors and once the certificate is available.

Container inspection prior cargo loading

In case of Carrier’s haulage, the Merchant is responsible for inspecting the empty Container for its suitability to carry the specific shipment booked at the time of arrival to place of receipt. Any later refusal of a Container will cause additional costs for the account of the Merchant and neither MSC nor its agents shall be held liable for the costs of changing/replacing a Container accepted during empty positioning unless the defect affecting the Container was not detectable during a reasonably careful inspection; in which case the costs of the Container changing shall be shared equally. Notwithstanding the generality of the above, a light-test (visual verification of any light entry from within the Container with closed doors) is compulsory prior to each empty Container’s acceptance and no liability shall be borne by the Carrier or its agents for costs of exchanging a Container found with holes or cracks at a later stage if this could have been detected by a light test.

Imports 

Questions about import requirements?

Contact us at cze-imp@msc.com.

Exports 

Questions about export requirements?

Contact us at cze-exp@msc.com.

At MSC, we believe that your success depends on local solutions, local expertise, and tailor-made solutions. 

We are ready to offer you customs clearance both in export and import at one of our intermodal depots. No need to perform customs clearance at shipper’s or consignee’s premises. This solution brings more flexibility and options for planning of your shipments’ loading and unloading.