Obtaining an accredited VGM in USA
Recently you may have heard about VGM, or verified gross mass. VGM is a new regulation in the SOLAS Convention, which is an agreement developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the World Shipping Council (WSC).
The regulation states that as of July 1st, all manufacturers, shippers, and consolidators must certify the VGM before shipping their goods. If they do not comply with the regulation, shipping companies cannot move the goods and all parties involved in the export process may be subject to fines, delays, and other fees.
Calibrated and verified scales
Many questions arise regarding this new regulation. In an attempt to answer them, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has outlined directives for VGM compliance in USA. However, each situation is different, and it is important to interpret the information properly.
According to the FMC, “For the purposes of determining the VGM of a container, any equipment currently being used to comply with Federal or State laws, including the Intermodal Safe Container Transportation Act and the container weight requirements in 29 CFR 1918.85(b), are acceptable for the purpose of complying with SOLAS.”
Two types of entities are approved to measure VGM:
- Terminals with scales that are calibrated and verified to perform weigh-ins.
- Weigh stations, which are companies that have calibrated and verified scales to perform weigh-ins and are authorized and accredited by shipping companies to measure the VGM.
Certainly, it is essential for the scale to be calibrated and verified to issue the weight certificate that states the shipment’s VGM.
“Estimating weight is not permitted. The shipper (or by arrangement of the shipper, a third party) has a responsibility to weigh the packed container or to weigh its contents.” (WSC).
What methods are used to obtain the VGM?
The VGM is the total sum of the following weights: goods, container, plus materials used for packaging and securing the goods (and possibly lifting materials, depending on the method used to weigh the items).
- If the goods are carried in a truck with a closed, sealed container (for example a FCL), subtract the weight of the truck (including the tractor, trailer and chassis) from the value indicated when weighing the loaded vehicle on a scale or weighbridge.
- If the goods are weighed separately (for example a LCL), add all of the following weights: goods, empty container, plus the materials used for packaging and securing the goods.
- If the goods are weighed using the lifting method, add all of the following weights: goods, container, lifting materials, plus the materials used for packaging and securing the goods.
In other words, the VGM is not simply the cargo weight or the sum of the cargo weight and the container. It includes many more elements that must be taken into consideration.
What to do after obtaining the VGM
As we said before, no estimated VGM is allowed. The VGM value can differ from the provisional weight provided by the shipper when making a booking request.
The VGM information can be presented either by means of EDP or EDI transmission techniques or by a method established in common agreement between the shipper and carrier, to the following entities in a timely manner:
- The freight forwarder who is managing the shipment.
- The port representative at the destination, who needs to know the VGM of the container before it arrives at the destination port.
Overall, it is essential that the container has a document with the VGM listed when it is shipped, in order to fulfill the new SOLAS Convention regulation. Without this certificate, your shipment will incur penalties. The cargo will be detained or transferred to a warehouse, and any parties involved will incur additional fees as a result.
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