The new global SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulation adopted by the International Maritime Organization will be effective July 1st. All containers scheduled for loading onto vessels sailing on/or after July 1, 2016 will require a VGM (Verified Gross Mass). It is the shippers' legal responsibility to provide VGM correctly and in a timely manner as requested by your local ATA Freight Office.

If VGM is declared incorrectly, then your shipment may be turned away, miss the vessel, put on a hold, delayed and/or may not be loaded by the Carriers, Terminals or related Authorities.

The charges related with "Weighing Cargo (pallet/container or else)" will vary based on the vendor utilized. If you request support from your local ATA Freight office to weigh your shipment, then you will be provided with further information how to manage this requirement and the fees related with this service.*

The charges related with "VGM Filing" will vary based on the carrier. Whatever the charges billed by the carrier will be reflected to you.

If/when mis-declaration is done; at origin, trans shipment location or at any other location; then re-declaration may be required by the authorities and additional charges may occur which would be reflected to you as is. Mis-declaration is subject to possible delays of your cargo. The documentation and fee requirements by the vendors or authorities may vary based on the mis-declaration and re-declaration.

Please note that each ocean carrier, terminal, or even each Country has different requirements and the fees applying to VGM rule. We are kindly requesting your understanding and patience until this requirement is settled within the industry.

We encourage you to stay in close contact with your ATA Freight local office. You can rest assure that our team will provide you their full support for you to stay in compliance, as well as, to make sure your cargo does not delay.

We will continue to monitor VGM rule and will keep you informed through our local offices.