Region Customer Advisory

Introduction of VGM submission in local language
The amendment to SOLAS Chapter VI, Regulation 2 regarding the verified gross mass of a container carrying cargo (packed container) was adopted at the 94th MSC session in November 2014 for entry into force globally on 1 July 2016.
This amendment requires mandatory verification of the gross mass of a container prior to loading on the vessels to which SOLAS Chapter VI applies. Although some exemptions are included (for roll-on/roll-off vessels amongst others), the vast majority of containers loaded for export will fall under this new regulation.
"Guidelines on the Verification of Gross Mass of a Container with Cargo Packed in Hong Kong" has been published and can be downloaded here.
The regulation provides 2 methods for verification of gross mass of a packed container.

Government Policy

• List of approved weighing service provider
  

  √ For Hong Kong, please refer to http://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/pub_services/ocean/pdf/miss_vgm_ws.pdf
  
  √ For Macau, please refer to http://www.marine.gov.mo/subpage.aspx?a_id=1465206107 
     (Please refer to 4.1.2 approved weighing service provider)

• Weighing method registration requirement

√ For Hong Kong, please refer to http://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/pub_services/ocean/pdf/miss_vgm_guidelines.pdf
   (Please refer to "Part III Registration of shippers adopting method 2" and please click here for the application form of shipper's registration)

√ For Macau, please refer to http://www.marine.gov.mo/subpage.aspx?a_id=1465206107 
   (Please refer to Part 5 Registration of shippers adopting method 2)

• Tolerance Level
  

  √ For Hong Kong and Macau, maximum tolerance of +/-5% and +/-0.5 ton are allowed between the verified gross mass declared by the shipper and the verified gross mass obtained by Local Marine Department, carrier or terminal for container’s gross mass above 10 tons and 10 tons or below respectively.

• Penalty

  √ It should be noted that SOLAS imposes an obligation on the carrier and the terminal operator not to load a packed container aboard ship for which no verified gross mass has been provided or obtained. Compliance with this obligation by the carrier and the terminal operator may result in commercial and operational penalties, such as delayed shipment and additional costs if the shipper has not provided the verified gross mass for the packed container. The shipper may also confront penalties as imposed under Hong Kong and Macau legislation respectively.

• Declaration information/document requirement

  √ Declaration information:
  
  1. For gross mass obtained by Method 1, the declaration shall consist of the content hereunder:
  “Shipper’s declaration: the gross mass of the packed container declared in the shipping document was obtained in accordance with Method 1 stipulated in SOLAS Chapter VI Regulation 2”, followed by signature of shipper.
  
  2. For gross mass obtained by Method 2, the declaration shall consist of the content hereunder:
  “Shipper’s declaration: the gross mass of packed container declared in the shipping document was obtained in accordance with Method 2 stipulated in SOLAS Chapter VI Regulation 2. The procedure of this method has been approved or recognized by MD with registration number  "GMV012345678" (reference for Hong Kong) or "DSAMA-VGM12345678" (reference for Macau) and followed by signature of shipper.

• Link to government policy/responsible authority site

  √ For Hong Kong - http://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/pub_services/ocean/miss_vgm.html
  
  √ For Macau - http://www.marine.gov.mo/subpage.aspx?a_id=1465206107

Terminal (in table form, listing all facilities in region)