# Legal-for-Trade Weighing Systems

*Last updated: 2026-06-25*

> When a shipper presents a weight record to customs or a trading partner, that record only holds legal standing if the measuring device is formally certified for trade use.

When a shipper presents a weight record to customs or a trading partner, that record only holds legal standing if the measuring device is formally certified for trade use. Legal-for-trade weighing systems are installations approved under national weights-and-measures legislation or international metrology standards (OIML) and subject to periodic official verification. They must conform to prescribed accuracy classes, which qualifies them as the legally recognised instruments for commercial transactions, customs clearance, and freight charge calculation. Unlike standard industrial scales, these systems require maintenance contracts, documented calibration records, and cannot be modified without voiding certification. Their use is frequently mandatory at goods receipt points, port terminals, and in dangerous-goods handling.

**Source:** [https://www.oiml.org](https://www.oiml.org)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Legal-for-Trade Weighing Systems |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 108 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-25 |
| Source | https://www.oiml.org |

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