Connecting the United Kingdom
with the world
Headquartered in Ipswich, Suffolk with regional offices in London and Glasgow, supported by our national team across the UK, we're committed to delivering customer excellence and finding the best solution for your cargo.
Operating from 12 UK ports across the UK, complemented by an extensive European feeder network, our shipping solutions integrate seamlessly with our market-leading landside network of dedicated road and rail services, helping to move your cargo closer to its final destination.
Navigating Local Shipping Requirements
Merchant Haulage Release
To help our team action your MHR request as efficiently as possible for you, please read the below guidance regarding timeframes and important information to include.
Merchant Own Haulage Release requests
Please use the dedicated Merchant Haulage Release telephone number 0203 780 7679.
Please use this number if both:
- You've already requested release by email to uk-importmerchanthaulage@msc.com
- And your shipment is due to arrive within the next 5 days.
To request a new Merchant Haulage Release, please continue to do so by email to the following email address uk-importmerchanthaulage@msc.com ensuring that your email is submitted within 5 days of the vessel arrival date.
Please be reminded that if you are unsure of your vessel arrival date, please visit www.msc.com/tools and click on “Track a shipment”.
Full Merchant Haulage Release Instructions:
Click here.
Import Merchant Owned Haulage Restitution Note
Please take the following action to arrange restitution of empty containers
- For Felixstowe arrivals please email UK-felixstowe.emptyreturns@msc.com (Monday to Friday 0700-1800). For assistance with Felixstowe returns, please call 01394 673902 or 01394 673903
- For all other ports of arrival email GB014-container.movements@msc.com (Monday to Friday 0800-1800). For assistance with all other ports and deports, please call 01473 277772
Customs Clearance
We offer Customs clearance services across our UK Port network, including a comprehensive clearance solution for trailers coming into the UK through a network of Ports including: Felixstowe, Liverpool, Bristol, Thamesport, Harwich, Immingham, Killingholme, Hull, Teesport, Tilbury, Purfleet, Southampton, Dover (Non-inventory), Newhaven (Non-inventory), Folkestone (Non-inventory).
Each item of cargo you are importing or exporting must satisfy official Customs formalities and regulations in order to proceed across international borders.
Export Customs Clearance
When completing your Export Customs Clearance please send us an email with your UCR number or copy of Entry to UK-customs@msc.com
Alternatively, we can also offer to complete Export Customs Clearance for your Export Cargo on your behalf loading with MSC UK. Just complete our NES Instructions form (available on request), send this to UK-Customs@msc.com and let us take care of the rest!
Please note all information must be sent before our advertised deadlines, which can be found on myMSC.
To get started, simply email us with a copy of your invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading, and a completed Direct Representation Letter on your company headed paper. Leave the rest to us!
If you are unsure regarding the classification of your goods, further guidance is available from HMRC on 0300 200 3700, or via email.
Alternatively, you can visit the official website or contact us for more details and to speak to one of our experts.
Export Hazardous Cargo
When you have completed loading of your Export Hazardous cargo please send us a copy of the completed DGN, it MUST be signed in boxes 15 & 17 with the container number clearly in Box 16. You can send it on email to GB014-MSCUKHAZARDOUS@msc.com with your booking reference and planned export vessel as the subject.
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.
VGM Receiving Policy in the UK
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 mis-declared 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.
Some UK ports will not allow containers in to the terminal without a VGM. If there is no VGM at the in gate then the port shall automatically weigh the container on your behalf and charge accordingly
What to include in your VGM instructions
The following items are mandatory and must be on all VGM instructions:
- Booking or Bill of Lading number
- Container number
- VGM + unit
- Authorised person’s signatory (submitter of the VGM who may be authorized to act on behalf of shippers
- Responsible party Name
How to submit your VGM instructions
- myMSC
- EDI (via INTTRA; GT NEXUS; Cargo Smart)
- Email to vgm@mscuk.com
Deadlines for sending your VGM instructions
To avoid additional weighing charges from the port, please can you submit your VGM to MSC UK prior to the containers arrival at the port.
If you are wishing to use the ports weighing facility, please be aware that we shall require the VGM 48 hours prior to the vessels scheduled arrival.
Admin Fees and costs
There will be no additional administration fees from MSC UK for receiving your VGM via myMSC or EDI (INTTRA or GT NEXUS). For other methods please contact your local MSC UK office.
Recommendations
If you are unable to obtain your own VGM, all of the UK ports where MSC has a service can support you with weighing facilities. If this is of interest, you will be required to register and arrange direct.
Contact information
For more details, please contact vgm@mscuk.com or call our office: 01473 277 972
Prohibited Cargo
Prohibited Cargo
It is illegal to bring the following items into or out of the UK.
Imports
- All items of animal origin must have accurate Health Certificates.
Exports
- No military cargo, weapons, munitions, illegal drugs/ narcotics.
- Any used cars for export must provide chassis number / VIN and registration.
- Used tyres subject to management approval.
- No used refrigerators without valid de-gassing certificate Southampton - Containers with Flexi bags installed are not permitted via this port.
Gender Pay Gap & Tax Strategy
The gender pay gap is the difference between the average earnings of men and women, expressed relative to men’s earnings. For example, ‘women earn 15% less than men per hour’.
For more information, we invite you to read MSC UK's Gender Pay Gap documents:
Gender Pay Gap Report 2022-2023
Gender Pay Gap Report 2021-2022
Gender Pay Gap Report 2020-2021
Export Contact Details
We've separated out the most frequently requested contact groups from within the Export department.
Commercial contacts by trade
Export Canada & Mexico | GB014-export.canadamexico@msc.com |
Export USA & Caribbean | GB014-expcomm.usacaribbean@msc.com |
Baltic Short Sea | GB014-shortsea.trade@msc.com |
Export Australia, New Zealand, South Africa & Canary Islands |
GB014-MSCUKExportCommercialSouthAfricaAndAustralasiaAndCanaries@msc.com |
Export Latin America & West Africa | GB014-MSCUKExportCommercialLatinAmericaAndWestAfrica@msc.com |
Export Far East | GB014-MSCUKExportCommercialFarEast@msc.com |
IPAK Quotation Requests | GB014-mscukexportcommercialearedseaioindiapak@msc.com |
Export North & West Mediterranean | GB014-mscukexportcommercial.northmediterranean@msc.com |
Export Reefer | GB014-uk.reefersales@msc.com / +44 (0)1473 954520 |
Red Sea/East Africa/Indian Ocean Quotation Requests | GB014-mscukexportcommercialearedseaioindiapak@msc.com |
General Enquiries
Haulage availability | uk-exportspotbookings@msc.com | +44 (0)1473 954667 |
Vessel cut-offs | uk-exportspotbookings@msc.com | +44 (0)1473 954667 |
Booking Contacts
Haulage availability | uk-exportspotbookings@msc.com | +44 (0)1473 954667 |
Make, Cancel or Amend a booking | uk-exportspotbookings@msc.com | +44 (0)1473 954667 |
Find out where to collect my empty container | uk-exportspotbookings@msc.com | +44 (0)1473 954667 |
Book a container to quay | GB014-container.movements@msc.com |
Send a dangerous goods note (DGN) | GB014-mschazardous@msc.com | +44 (0)1473 954484 |
Send my booking evolution (sanction) form | uk-exportspotbookings@msc.com | +44 (0)1473 954667 |
Send my UCR | uk-customs@msc.com | +44 (0)1473 954667 |
Booking Contacts
Reefer Customer Service | GB014-export.reeferbookings@msc.com | +44 (0)1473 954482 |
Commodities | uk-commodities.bookings@msc.com | +44 (0)1473 954483 |
Export Cargo Management | uk-exportspotbookings@msc.com | +44 (0)1473 954484 |
SOLAS / VGM | GB014-solas.vgm-confirmations@msc.com | +44 (0)1473 954484 |
Export Customs | UK-Customs@msc.com | +44 (0) 1473 954518 |
Import Contact Details
We've separated out the most frequently requested contact groups from within the Import department.
Commercial contacts by trade
Import Canary Islands, East & West Mediterranean GB014-import.eastwestmed@msc.com
Import Baltic, Biscay & Portugal GB014-shortsea.trade@msc.com
Import Africa and Americas GB014-Import.AfricaAmerica@msc.com
Import IPAK GB014-import.asia@msc.com
Import North Med GB014-mscukimportnorthmed@msc.com
Import Far East GB014-imp.fareast@msc.com
Import Reefer GB014-uk.reefersales@msc.com / +44 (0)1473 954520
Agent to Agent Releases GB014-mscuk.impagent2agent@msc.com
Import Customer Care uk-customercare@msc.com / +44 (0)1473 277854
Billing Enquiries
Haulage availability uk-customercare@msc.com / +44 (0)1473 277777
Make a haulage delivery booking (next day) +44 (0)1473 277777
Cancel a delivery booking (next day) +44 (0)1473 277777
Amend a delivery booking (next day) +44 (0)1473 277777
Make a haulage delivery booking (non next day) gb014-impshortsea.bookings@msc.com / gb014-impdeepsea.bookings@msc.com
Cancel a delivery booking (non next day) gb014-impshortsea.bookings@msc.com / gb014-impdeepsea.bookings@msc.com
Amend a delivery booking (non next day) gb014-impshortsea.bookings@msc.com / gb014-impdeepsea.bookings@msc.com
Merchant Haulage Contacts
Arrange a reefer merchant haulage release UK-importreefermhaulage@msc.com
Arrange a merchant haulage release UK-importmerchanthaulage@msc.com
Restitution of your empty container - Felixstowe UK-felixstowe.emptyreturns@msc.com / +44 (0)1394 673903
Restitution of your empty container - All other ports GB014-container.movements@msc.com / +44 (0)1473 277772
Customs Clearance & AEO
To arrange or discuss Import Customs clearance for your cargo, please contact the Import Customs Clearance Team on +44 (0)1473 954549 or email UK-Importcustoms@msc.com
- If you have an enquiry relating to Customs compliance or MSC UK's Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status and its benefits to you, please email GB014-MSCUKcustomsqueries@msc.com
You can find a list of Short sea ports here.
Quick Reference Guides
Here you will find a selection of handy quick reference guides to some of our services.
- Customs Clearance
- Project & Breakbulk Cargo
- UK to the USA
- Flexible Supply Chain Solutions
- Restitutions
- Warehousing & Logistics
- myMSC User Guide
Import Merchant Owned Haulage Restitution Note
- For Felixstowe arrivals please email UK-felixstowe.emptyreturns@msc.com (Monday to Friday 0700-1800). For assistance with Felixstowe returns, please call 01394 673903
- For all other ports of arrival email GB014-container.movements@msc.com (Monday to Friday 0800-1800). For assistance with all other ports and deports, please call 01473 277772
Please remember:
All drivers must wear high visibility clothing and safety footwear when reporting to depots/terminals
Any driver without correct attire could be turned away
When a unit is due for return to a quay, at any port, please note pre-booking will be deleted 1 full business working day after confirmation from MSC of required restitution location. MSC’s confirmation of a required restitution location is only valid for 1 full business working day, after which agent/haulier must make a new request.
Condition and location of returned containers:
We would like to remind customers that containers should be returned to MSC in a clean condition, free of all packing, dunnage or traces of cargo (as per terms and conditions of the Bill of Lading / Contract of Carriage).Customers are liable for any costs incurred for the cleaning of containers along with any associated penalties or fines (such as Customs fines or, in some cases, shipping costs back to the UK).
Please note that any container not returned to the nominated depot/quay location may be subject to additional charges.
The Booking Party requesting the Import Merchant Haulage Release agrees that in exchange for MSC allowing them to undertake 'Merchant Haulage' they will conform to the Bill of Lading conditions and in particular the clause which states that 'all containers shall be the joint and several responsibility of the shipper and the consignee and shall be redelivered clean and undamaged to a place nominated by the carrier, failing which the shipper and the consignee shall be jointly and severally liable for all the costs of replacement, transportation and repair including legal costs. Where the booking party requesting the Import Merchant Haulage Release Order is acting as agent or haulier on behalf of the shipper or consignee they are obliged to make them aware of these conditions.
Our agreement to issue release or undertake haulage / export is on the understanding that the goods are either: fully duty / excise paid or have legitimately left a duty suspension regime and that the instructions you provide to MSC or actions you take fully comply with Customs regulations that ensure they legitimately travel to the correct destination (eg: Customs / excise warehouse) with appropriate guarantees in place and will not be party to an unauthorised diversion in respect to Customs regulations.
Shipping Instruction Cut-offs
As of 1st January 2021, 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 risk a correction fee of 60 USD.
Additional Information
Our aim is to input your shipping instructions / process your amendment(s) and return a new draft bill to you 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: GB014-export.documentation@msc.com | 01473 277777
Ipswich: GBR-export.customercare@msc.com | 01473 277777
Glasgow: GBR-docs-glasgow@msc.com
How to find cut-offs on MyMSC?
Please note cut-offs can also be found on our e-business platform mymsc.com or at msc.com
- Navigate in the menu on the left to Schedules & Cut-offs.
- 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.
Cargo Loading
Container Weighing (VGM)
Liquid Cargo
Our Solution
As well as being a global leader in container shipping , our worldwide teams of industry specific experts mean we can offer our customers round-the-clock personalised service. This ensures we deliver fast and reliable transit times, and that we provide the best solutions for your needs.
As well as being a global leader in container shipping , our worldwide teams of industry specific experts mean we can offer our customers round-the-clock personalised service. This ensures we deliver fast and reliable transit times, and that we provide the best solutions for your needs.
Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap is the difference between the average earnings of men and women, expressed relative to men’s earnings. For example, ‘women earn 15% less than men per hour’.
For more information, we invite you to read MSC UK's Gender Pay Gap documents:
Gender Pay Gap Report 2022-2023
Gender Pay Gap Report 2021-2022
Gender Pay Gap Report 2020-2021
UK Tax Strategy
MSC Tax Strategy
News Archive
- Date: -
Select your options
Order by A -> Z
No filter options