SOLAS VGM: What It Proves—and What It Does Not

Verified gross mass is a safety input for the stowage of a packed container. It is not a cargo-acceptance report and cannot confirm that the correct goods, quantity or quality are inside.

Know the VGM responsibility

IMO guidance assigns responsibility to the shipper named in the transport document to provide the packed container's verified gross mass in time for the ship stowage plan. Without VGM, the container should not be loaded, subject to the applicable implementation process.

Understand the two methods

VGM may be established by weighing the packed container or by summing the cargo, packaging, pallets, dunnage and securing material and adding container tare under a certified method approved by the competent authority where packing occurred. Confirm route-specific equipment, format and cutoff requirements.

Maintain a five-record VGM file

Retain the legal shipper identity, container number and verified mass, weighing method, equipment or competent-authority basis, and carrier or terminal submission confirmation. Assign ownership before cargo readiness, not after a cutoff is missed.

Reconcile other evidence separately

A correct total mass does not validate SKU quantities, product quality, carton dimensions, customs descriptions, dangerous-goods documentation or cargo securing. Reconcile VGM separately with the packing list, inspection report and applicable transport and compliance records.

Primary sources

• IMO — verification of packed-container gross mass
• IMO MSC.1/Circ.1475 — VGM guidelines

Use these controls as a procurement framework, not as product-specific engineering, legal, regulatory, banking or warranty advice. Verify the actual product, transaction, route and jurisdiction with qualified professionals.

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