SOLAS Weight Verification Requirement Advisory,

U.S. Exports, 5/27/16    

Dear Valued Customer,

As it has been reported over the last several months, the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Weight Verification Requirement, VGM (verified gross mass), goes into effect on July 1, 2016.  This is an important safety requirement designed to reduce casualties associated with misdeclared container weights.  

CaroTrans will implement the following processes and fees for all LCL and FCL export cargo to ensure compliance and supply chain integrity.

LCL Cargo

Shippers are responsible for submitting a certified VGM for each shipment. CaroTrans is responsible for obtaining, verifying, and submitting the total VGM of each consolidated container to the ocean carriers. Therefore, we will weigh all LCL export cargo at the loading gateway CFS to verify VGM certificates supplied by shippers. 

A VGM processing fee of $15 per shipment will be applied.

If cargo weighed by CaroTrans has a VGM outside the predetermined tolerance level or if a customer is unable to provide a certified VGM, a weigh and inspection (W&I) fee of $25 per shipment will be applied. 

FCL Cargo

Since CaroTrans is not involved with the loading of the container, the shipper is responsible for supplying a certified VGM before the posted terminal cutoff.  CaroTrans is responsible for submitting the container VGM to carriers and shall apply a VGM processing fee of $15 per container.

If a certified VGM cannot be provided, Carotrans can assist and will apply a VGM processing fee of $15 per container plus all additional charges associated with verifying the container weight including but not limited to weight ticket, additional drayage, demurrage, detention, waiting time, repositioning, etc.

Shippers may submit their VGM to CaroTrans in the following ways:

Email: VGM certified and signed (or electronic signature) can be sent via email to your Carotrans customer service representative by the posted cutoff date.

Online: Submission of VGM via our Web portal by the posted cut-off date.

CaroTrans is investing in equipment, personnel, and systems to ensure that the necessary checks and balances are in place to keep your freight moving reliably throughout the world. 

Changes and updates to the VGM requirement are ongoing and we will keep you informed of updates as they occur.

Best regards,

CaroTrans

Further information

1. International Maritime Organization (IMO) - Verification of the gross mass of a packed container
2. World Shipping Council - The SOLAS Container Weight Verification Requirement, click here
3. The Journal of Commerce: Shippers' guide to the container weight mandate with the latest updates, click here.