Quick answer: Verified Gross Mass (VGM) is the total verified weight of a packed export container — the cargo, all packaging and dunnage, and the container's own tare weight. Under the international SOLAS Convention, every export container must have a VGM submitted to the carrier before the cut-off deadline. No valid VGM means the container is not loaded onto the vessel.
If you export goods by sea, VGM is one acronym you can’t afford to ignore. Get it right and your container sails on schedule. Get it wrong — or submit it late — and you’re facing rollovers, penalties, and cargo left behind at origin.
Importantly, the impact doesn’t stop at export. Incorrectly declared VGM can also affect importers, with discrepancies often resulting in PONDUS charges being applied on arrival into Australia, adding unexpected costs at destination.
This guide from Whale Logistics, an Australian freight forwarder, breaks down exactly what VGM is, who’s responsible, how the process works, and what it means for both exporters and importers operating in Australia.
Key Takeaways
What is VGM (Verified Gross Mass)?
Verified Gross Mass (VGM) is the total verified weight of a packed export container as it will be loaded onto a vessel. It is made up of three components:
Added together, these give the verified gross mass of the container. VGM is mandatory under the SOLAS Convention (Safety of Life at Sea), and the rule is absolute: no VGM means no load. Without a valid VGM submitted before the deadline, the terminal will not load the container, with no exceptions.
Why does VGM matter?
The purpose of VGM is to ensure every export container has a verified, compliant weight on file before the cut-off. Accurate weights let carriers plan vessel stowage safely and prevent dangerous overloading at sea. For the exporter, getting VGM right is what keeps a shipment moving and avoids delays, rollovers, and fines.
Who is responsible for submitting the VGM?
The shipper named on the Bill of Lading is legally responsible for providing the VGM. A freight forwarder can submit the VGM declaration on the shipper's behalf — and at Whale Logistics we routinely do — but legal liability for the accuracy of that weight always remains with the shipper. That makes supplying correct, verified figures essential every time.
How is VGM obtained? The standard workflow
Here is how a VGM moves from a packed container to a loaded vessel.
1. Container packed and sealed. Cargo is loaded into the container, which is then sealed ready for transport.
2. VGM obtained. There are two approved methods for determining the verified gross mass:
3. VGM declaration prepared. The declaration must include the container number, the verified weight, the unit of measure (KGS), and the name and authorisation of the responsible party.
4. VGM submitted. The declaration is lodged with the carrier or terminal before the VGM cut-off, which typically falls before the shipping instructions (SI) cut-off.
5. Carrier uses the VGM. The terminal and carrier use the verified weight for vessel stowage planning.
6. Container loaded. With a valid VGM on file, the container is cleared for loading. No valid VGM means the container stays behind.
When is the VGM cut-off?
VGM must be lodged before the carrier's deadline, which usually sits before the shipping instructions cut-off. This is the single most common point of failure. A late submission means the container misses the cut-off — and a missed cut-off usually means the shipment is rolled to the next available vessel, with all the downstream delays that brings. Treat the VGM cut-off as a hard deadline, not a guideline.
What are the common VGM risks?
|
Issue |
Impact |
|
No VGM submitted |
Container not loaded |
|
Late VGM |
Shipment rolled to a later vessel |
|
Incorrect weight |
Penalties, re-weighing, and delays |
|
Missing tare weight |
Overweight risk |
|
SI and VGM mismatch |
Documentation issues and hold-ups |
Is VGM required in Australia?
Yes. In Australia, VGM is mandatory under both the SOLAS Convention and AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) regulations. It is also linked to Chain of Responsibility (CoR) obligations, which means an incorrect weight is not just a shipping inconvenience — it is a compliance risk that can expose your business to fines. Everyone in the supply chain has a duty to ensure weights are accurate.
What is a Pondus weight fee?
A Pondus fee — also called a weight mis-declaration fee — is a charge applied when a container's actual weight differs significantly from the weight declared on the shipping documents. At Australian ports, containers are randomly weighed using a calibrated system called PONDUS to confirm compliance with safety regulations and Chain of Responsibility (CoR) requirements.
Why it applies. Incorrect weights create real risks across the supply chain — for vessel stability, terminal handling, and road transport safety. Random weighing is how terminals verify that declared weights, including the VGM, are accurate.
When the fee is charged. If the actual container weight differs from the declared weight by more than ±1 metric tonne, a fee is triggered. The terminal issues the charge after weighing, along with a certified weight result.
Typical cost. A Pondus fee usually falls in the range of around AUD $290–$375 per container, depending on the terminal and port.
The most common cause. In most cases, a Pondus fee comes down to an inaccurate weight at the source. The usual culprits are a supplier estimating cargo weight instead of using actual measurements, the container tare weight not being added correctly, or an incorrect VGM (Verified Gross Mass) declaration. This is exactly why getting the VGM right the first time matters — an accurate VGM is the simplest way to avoid a Pondus fee.
The Bottom Line
VGM is non-negotiable: every export container needs a verified, accurate weight lodged before the cut-off, or it simply will not be loaded. The shipper carries the legal responsibility, the figures must be verified, and the deadline is firm.
Need a hand getting your VGM declarations right and submitted on time? The team at Whale Logistics manages VGM submissions for our clients every day and can make sure your containers sail without a hitch. Get in touch to find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is VGM in shipping? VGM (Verified Gross Mass) is the total verified weight of a packed export container, including the cargo, all packaging and dunnage, and the empty container's tare weight. It is required under the SOLAS Convention before a container can be loaded onto a vessel.
Is VGM mandatory? Yes. VGM has been mandatory worldwide under the SOLAS Convention since 1 July 2016. A container without a valid VGM will not be loaded.
Who is responsible for the VGM? The shipper named on the Bill of Lading is legally responsible. A freight forwarder can submit the declaration on the shipper's behalf, but the legal liability for accuracy stays with the shipper.
What are the two methods to determine VGM? Method 1 is weighing the entire packed and sealed container on a certified weighbridge. Method 2 is calculating the total by adding the verified weights of the cargo, packaging, dunnage, and the container's tare weight.
What happens if the VGM is submitted late? A late VGM usually means the container misses the carrier's cut-off and the shipment is rolled to the next available vessel, causing delays.
What happens if no VGM is provided? Without a valid VGM, the terminal will not load the container. The rule is "no VGM, no load."
Is VGM required in Australia? Yes. VGM is enforced in Australia under SOLAS and AMSA regulations, and is tied to Chain of Responsibility obligations. Incorrect weights can result in compliance breaches and fines.
What is a Pondus weight fee? A Pondus fee, or weight mis-declaration fee, is charged when a container's actual weight differs significantly from the declared weight on the shipping documents. Australian ports use a calibrated weighing system called PONDUS to check compliance.
How much is a Pondus fee? A Pondus fee is typically around AUD $290–$375 per container, depending on the terminal and port.
What triggers a Pondus fee? A fee is triggered when the actual container weight differs from the declared weight by more than ±1 metric tonne. The most common cause is an inaccurate weight at the source — an estimated cargo weight, a missing or incorrect tare weight, or an incorrect VGM declaration.