Guiding you through SOLAS and VGM regulations

Expert guidance for your shipping containers

Global experts are on hand to ensure the right information is provided before your containers reach the carrier’s port terminal.

Ensure compliance with SOLAS container weight regulations

Accurately declare the total weight of your shipping containers, including cargo, packaging, and container tare weight.

Gain expert guidance on providing the verified gross mass (VGM) to comply with SOLAS regulations.

Aerial view of a river barge and a container yard with the shadow of a plane flying over the water. — Aerial view of a river barge and a

SOLAS and VGM compliance

Accurately declaring the verified gross mass (VGM) of your containers enables safe and efficient handling during loading and transportation.

Comply with SOLAS regulations to prevent your containers from being denied loading, avoiding potential delays, fines, and penalties.

Access a dedicated online portal to conveniently submit your container VGM details, streamlining the compliance process.

Receive expert guidance on accepted weighing methods and obtain accurate container tare weights for precise VGM declarations.

Avoid potential delays and penalties

Failure to provide the VGM can result in your containers not being loaded onto vessels, leading to costly delays and potential penalties. Our experts ensure you meet all requirements before your containers reach the port terminal.

View of the red container from below — View of the red container from belo

Streamline your VGM submissions

Access your shipment details and submit the VGM through our dedicated online portal
Receive guidance on obtaining container tare weights and the accepted weighing methods
Stay informed about local regulations and requirements across global ports

Dedicated online VGM submission portal

DAccess your shipment details and conveniently submit the verified gross mass (VGM) through our dedicated online portal, streamlining the compliance process.

Guidance on local regulations worldwide

Stay informed about local SOLAS and VGM regulations across global ports, ensuring you meet all requirements before your containers reach the terminal.

Accurate container tare weight information

Access helpful resources for SOLAS and VGM compliance

SOLAS and VGM compliance

General Information

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), was introduced in 1914 in response to the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has developed and maintained SOLAS since 1948.

Verified Gross Mass (VGM) is the total weight of the cargo (cargo weight, loading material/pallets/skids, dunnage, securing material, and tare weight of the container).

The shipper has to provide to the ocean carrier the VGM of the container, along with a signature (can be electronic) identifying the person responsible for the declared weight. This information has to be provided to the carrier, most likely before the container reaches the carrier’s port terminal.

All countries which are members of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) or a United Nations Agency, MUST implement VGM. Some countries automatically adopt this new rule as a national rule or law, whilst others, will have additional requirements.

This requirement was deemed necessary in order to ensure Shippers are providing the accurate and reliable total weight of the container to the carrier for safety reasons. Many accidents in which people and assets were injured, occurred as a result of inaccurate weight declarations.

Under the SOLAS requirements, the shipper named on the bill of lading is the party responsible for providing the maritime (ocean) carrier (‘master’) and the terminal operator (‘terminal representative’) with the verified gross mass of a packed container.

A Non Vessel Owning Common Carrier (as Kuehne+Nagel) is the Shipper vis-à-vis the ocean carrier and therefore responsible to report the VGM to the carrier based on the VGM received from the shipper.

Weight measurement

Two weighing methodologies are permitted:

Method 1: Upon the conclusion of packing and sealing a container, the shipper may weigh, or arrange a third party to weigh, the packed container.

Method 2: the shipper or, by arrangement of the shipper, a third party may weigh all packages and cargo items, including the mass of pallets, dunnage and other packing and securing material to be packed in the container, and add the tare mass of the container to the sum of the single mass of the container’s contents.

More information and explanations are available on the WSC (World Shipping Council) website.

The container’s tare weight is shown on the door of the container. Some shipping lines have container weight information available on their websites. As a result of repairs done to container, wet wooden floors or other reasons, the official container tare weight may vary.

Legally, the container can be weighed at the terminal. However, not all terminals have the infrastructure to perform this service, especially when considering the huge volume of containers passing through a terminal. Weighing the container at the port could lead to substantial congestion and delays so this always needs to be considered.

Downloads

Get all the details for Sea Logistics services

VGM shipper guide

SOLAS VGM industry FAQs

Requirements

Yes, even though Northern Ireland is part of the UK, it is in scope of ICS2/PLACI. Due to having a land border with the EU and because of the Northern Ireland protocol following Brexit, Northern Ireland is also part of the programme.

Yes, every single HS code and item description for all items that are part of a shipment have to be transmitted with the ICS2/PLACI filing.

The EU minimum requirement is the first six digits (unique globally). We use the HS codes provided by the shipper for filing. The import office adjusts to the local requirements for import clearance. However, for ICS2/PLACI filing, the HS codes provided by the shipper are used.

The requirement is that the description of the goods is in plain language and precise enough for customs to identify the goods.

Responsibilities & Privacy

An EORI number is only required if available. When a consignee is performing customs activities in the EU, can they request an EORI number from one of the member states’ customs authorities? If an EORI exists, it must be submitted. For transit- and trans-shipments, no consignee EORI is required.

For B2B, the consignee will have one EORI. For B2C, the rule is if the consignee receives more than five shipments per year, they will also need to register for an EORI.

Kuehne+Nagel can receive and submit 9999 HS code lines with item descriptions.

Looking for more information? Get details directly from the European Commission ICS2 website.

SOLAS and VGM regulations ensure compliance for your shipping containers

Expert guidance for your shipping containers

Ensure compliance with SOLAS container weight regulations

SOLAS and VGM compliance

Safe and efficient container handling

Avoid costly delays and penalties

Streamlined VGM submission process

Expert guidance on weighing methods

Avoid potential delays and penalties

Streamline your VGM submissions

Dedicated online VGM submission portal

Guidance on local regulations worldwide

Accurate container tare weight information

SOLAS and VGM compliance

General Information

What is SOLAS?

What is the Container VGM?

What are the Basic Requirements of SOLAS?

In which countries is SOLAS/VGM implemented?

Why VGM?

Who is responsible for declaring and providing the VGM?

Weight measurement

How can I weigh the container to provide the VGM?

Where can I obtain the tare weight of a container?

Can the container be weighed at the port terminal?

Downloads

VGM shipper guide

SOLAS VGM industry FAQs

Requirements

Is Northern Ireland part of the ICS2/PLACI region?

Do all HS codes need to be mentioned?

How does a shipper declare HS codes for different origin/destination countries?

What is considered a valid item description?

Responsibilities & Privacy

Do AWB consignees outside the countries in scope need an EORI number?

When each parcel has a buyer, is a consignee EORI required?

What is the data line limit for submitting a filing?