Connecting Sri Lanka to the world

At MSC, we offer reliable and efficient shipping services both to and from Sri Lanka, working with a range of markets and suppliers seeking to do business in and out of the country. 

Contactez notre équipe pour demander un devis, réserver une expédition ou en savoir plus sur nos services locaux

INFORMATIONS RELATIVES À NOS BUREAUX LOCAUX

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 until the empty is handed over to the designated MSC depot. This charge can also apply while the container is undergoing customs inspections, or while the cargo inside the container is being reworked for safety reasons.

What are storage charges?

Terminal storage charge is applicable, after the free time expires, for containers left inside the terminal. These charges need to be settled directly to the terminal based on their published tariff. If the containers are abandoned, the line will be responsible for the storage charges.

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 SL are now allowed to use their certified scales to record Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of shipments.

Government approval status

The Director General Merchant Shipping of Sri Lanka (DGMS) under Ministry of Ports & Shipping is the sole regulating authority of VGM in Sri Lanka.

Accepted Tolerance

The threshold for gross container weight tolerance will be 5% (+/-) or 01 Ton (+/-) per declared weight as mentioned in the VGM certificate. Container exceeding the threshold is not allowed to load on the vessel.

Terminal Gates will be checking VGM certificate when Container entering to Terminal stack.

No container will be accepted to vessel stack without having valid VGM after 01st of July 2016.

How to submit your VGM instructions

myMSC – customer can upload VGM data and PDF file of the VGM certificate.

Deadlines for sending VGM the instructions

Based on the standard CY cut off 12 hours prior vessel Berthing would be the VGM cut-off for none-EU cargo.

Containers arriving or VGM submitting after 12 hours cut-off would not be loaded on vessel. EU cargo , VGM cut-off is BL Draft. Submission weight declared at the time of cut-off should capture when transmitting manifest for EU cargo.

MSC admin fees and costs

Weight amendment fee: USD 25/- per container.
Incorrect weight declaration above 1 mt USD 25/- per container.
Manual submission of VGM USD 15/- per container.

Recommendations

As per DGMS, we will keep all the VGM certificates under our custody.
Submission of VGM certificate dully signed by shipper is mandatory requirement.
In case of container shut-out or additional expenses at Terminal due to VGM issue, shipper is responsible for all the additional costs

Questions about VGM?

Contact our Order handling and Capacity team

Delivery release against Original BL / Bank Guarantee:
All required documents must be handed over to the MSC receiving counter during office working hours (Monday to Friday).

Documents required for release against Original B/L:
1. Duly endorsed Original B/L.
2. Duly filled FCL Guarantee form (on consignee’s original letterhead). (Please click here to download the letter format)
3. Copy of bank payment transfer, or bank payment slip.
4. Copy of National ID or Passport.

Documents required for release against Bank Guarantee:
1. Duly filled Bank Guarantee form (on consignee’s original letterhead duly endorsed by the relevant bank and consignee).
(Please click here to download the letter format)
2. Confirmation letter from the issuing bank confirming the issuance of the bank guarantee.
3. Duly filled FCL Guarantee form (on consignee’s original letterhead). (Please click here to download the letter format)
4. Copy of bank payment transfer, or bank payment slip.
5. Copy of National ID or Passport.

Documents required for release against “Telex Release” or “Sea Waybill”:
1. Letter of Acknowledgement for “Telex Release” or “Sea Waybill.” (Please click here to download the letter format)
2. Duly filled FCL Guarantee form (on consignee’s original letterhead). (Please click here to download the letter format)
3. Copy of bank payment transfer or bank payment slip.
4. Copy of National ID or Passport.
5. Please mention sender’s contact information within email body (Name, Mobile, Tel, Company Name, Address, etc.).

e-Delivery order / Reefer electricity charges re-validation requests:
1. Submit your request to email address: lk093-imp.edo@msc.com
2. Please include the following details:
o. BL number.
o. Container number(s).
o. Liner demurrage or Reefer electricity charge (to date).
o. Contact information of the email sender (Name, Mobile, Tel, Company Name, Address, etc.).
3. Email the payment transfer confirmation/slip to lk093-imp.edo@msc.com
4. Must pay & settle all previously obtained invoices before requesting new revalidations.

Container Deposit Refund Procedure
For the new customers ( 1st time refund requesting with MSC )
• Please obtain an account confirmation letter from your bank.
• Please use this format for the letter (Please click here to download the letter format)
• Hand over the original account confirmation letter to MSC Lanka office.
• Download the refund request specimen. (Please click here to download the letter format)
• Duly filled refund request form needs print on consignee’s original letterhead.
• Send the color scanned refund request form to LK093-msc.refunds@msc.com
(Make sure to mention import BL number(s) in e-mail subject or body of e-mail)
• Please mention sender’s contact information within email body (Name, Mobile, Tel, Company Name, Address, etc.).
• For further clarification, please contact us Tel : 011 452 9000

For the existing customers:
• Download the refund request specimen. (Please click here to download the letter format)
• Duly filled refund request form needs print on consignee’s original letterhead).
• Send the color scanned refund request form to LK093-msc.refunds@msc.com
(Make sure to mention import BL number(s) in e-mail subject or body of e-mail)
• Please mention sender’s contact information within email body (Name, Mobile, Tel, Company Name, Address, etc.).
• For further clarification, please contact us Tel: 011 452 9000

It is illegal to bring the following items into Sri Lanka.

Imports

Particular meat products, e.g. pieces where the identification of the definite part of the Carcass it was taken from is not possible
Condensed milk containing less than 31 per cent of milk solids
Foodstuffs if deemed unfit for human consumption
Lathyrus sativus
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and living modified organisms (LMOs; please see the section on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) below)
Appliances for discharging gas, including pistols, pistol-pens, pistol pencils, hand grenades, cartridges, ect., except if imported by or on behalf of the Government
Dummy firearms, walking stick guns and similar hidden guns
Chinese firecrackers containing explosives which are deemed dangerous. (subject to approval from the Ministry of Defence)
Sword canes and similar hidden knives capable of cutting or stabbing
Articles bearing imprints deemed as derogatory to any religious teaching
Publications which may provoke acts punishable under the Penal Code
Indecent publications
Lottery proposals, circulars, or tickets
Counterfeit money