GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
Weight verification prior to shipment
Weight verification prior to shipment is the shipper's statutory obligation to determine, document, and submit the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of a packed container to the carrier before it may be loaded onto a vessel.
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Source: https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Pages/VGM.aspx
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Definition & Explanation
Weight verification prior to shipment is the shipper's statutory obligation to determine, document, and submit the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of a packed container to the carrier before it may be loaded onto a vessel. The requirement stems from the IMO's SOLAS convention. Two methods are accepted: weighing the packed container as a single unit, or summing the individually weighed cargo items and adding the container's tare weight. Missing or inaccurate VGM data can jeopardize vessel stability and stowage planning, and the shipper faces legal and financial liability as a result – carriers will refuse to load the container. Freight forwarders regularly handle VGM submission on behalf of their clients, coordinating closely with terminals to meet strict cutoff deadlines.
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