When you have completed loading of your Export Hazardous cargo please send us a copy of the completed DGN. Please note, it MUST be signed in boxes 15 & 17 with the container number clearly in Box 16. Please include this on an email with your booking reference and planned export vessel within the subject line. 

Please make sure your container has had the correct placards applied to it as per IMDG and ADR to ensure acceptance into the terminal of export.  

What is VGM? 
Verified Gross Mass or VGM refers to the exact, verified weight of a packed container. For safety reasons, vessel operators can only load a container if its weight has been verified. 

Government approval status 
In the UK the regulating body, Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), will allow for +/- 5% or 500kg whichever is greater. The MCA have the right to impose a fine or penalty for any misdeclared VGM information. If you intend on obtaining your VGM by using Method 2, you will need approval from the MCA. Further information about application can be found here.

What to include in your VGM instructions 
The following items are mandatory and must be included on all VGM instructions:

• Booking or Bill of Lading number
• VGM weight (cargo weight + container weight)
• Authorised person’s signatory (submitter of the VGM who may be authorised to act on behalf of shippers) 
• Responsible party name

How to submit your VGM instructions 

• Directly into the port systems (Destin8 / CNS)
• myMSC
• EDI (via INTTRA / GT NEXUS / Cargo Smart)

Deadlines for sending your VGM instructions 
To avoid additional weighing charges from the port, please submit your VGM declaration to the port authorities before their cut off, 24 hours prior to vessel arrival. If you require MSC to arrange for the terminal to weight the container(s) on your behalf, we require this 48 hours prior to the ETA of the vessel. 

Contact information 
 For more details, please email us or call our office: +44 (0)1473 954484     

• Military cargo, weapons, munitions, illegal drugs/ narcotics
• Used refrigerators without valid de-gassing certificate Southampton - Containers with Flexi bags installed are not permitted via this port

Please note:

• Any used cars for export must provide chassis number / VIN and registration
• Used tyres are subject to management approval

Following Brexit, we are required to submit advance European Security Manifests. To comply with this requirement, we will need to be in possession of the final shipping instructions in advance of the vessel's arrival. This requirement will affect all services departing the UK, therefore we feel it is important we provide you with a guide to avoid the deadline being missed, which could result in a delay to the exportation of your shipment.

Documentation (Final Shipping Instruction) Cut-Off Guide
Shipping instructions will be required 6 hours prior to the vessel's arrival at the port of loading. Exceptions are as follows

Please note, late instructions (received after cut-offs) are at risk of short shipment and additional costs

Shipping Instruction Amendments 
For USA, Canada, China, Japan and South Africa, amendments need to be received 36 hours (excluding weekend hours) prior to the vessel arrival at the port of loading to avoid correction fees. For all other destinations amendments must be received 24 hours prior to the vessel departure to avoid correction fees. For vessels departing at the weekend/Monday morning, amendments are required by 1200hrs on the Friday before.

Please note, failure to comply with the above may result in a correction fee of $60 USD

Additional Information
We aim to process instructions / amendment(s) and return a draft bill within 24 hours (excluding weekends). Destination charges will be registered as collect unless your instructions clearly state prepaid. The only exception will be for countries that do not accept collect charges.

Contact Information
If you have any further questions, please contact our local team using the information below.

Ipswich:   Documentation | 01473 277777
Ipswich:   Customer Service | 01473 277777
Glasgow: Documentation | 01413 339100

How to Find Cut-Offs on myMSC
Cut-offs can also be found on our e-business platform myMSC.

1. Navigate in the menu on the left to Schedules & Cut-offs
2. Click on 'By Booking' if you want to retrieve the information for a specific booking or click on 'By Port' if you want to retrieve the information for a particular port pair