Freight glossaryContainersInternational ShippingFreight Documentation
Verified Gross Mass (VGM)
Definition
The verified gross mass (VGM) is the total weight of a packed container, cargo plus packaging plus the container's own tare, which the shipper must provide before the container can be loaded on a ship.
What it means
The requirement comes from SOLAS regulation VI/2 and has applied since 1 July 2016. The VGM is a condition for loading, and it can be obtained by weighing the packed container, or by weighing all the contents and adding the container's tare using a certified method.[1] The U.S. Coast Guard has declared existing U.S. rules equivalent to the SOLAS requirement.[2]
The VGM is one number for the ship. It does not say where the weight sits, so a box with a correct VGM can still be overweight on a U.S. road axle; that gap is explained in SOLAS VGM vs. U.S. road limits.
Related
Related terms
- Shipping ContainerA shipping container is a standardized steel box, most often 20 or 40 feet long and 8 feet wide, built to...Glossary
- Bridge FormulaThe federal bridge formula limits the weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles based on how many...Glossary
- 20-ft ContainerA 20-ft container is a standard shipping container about 20 feet long and 8 feet wide, equal to one TEU, and...Glossary
Related questions
- What Is the Difference Between Gross, Net and Tare Weight?Net weight is the goods alone. Tare weight is the weight of the empty container, packaging or vehicle. Gross...Answer
- How Much Weight Can a 40-ft Container Carry?On one major carrier's published specs, a 40-ft standard dry container is rated for a maximum payload of...Answer
- How Is Freight Loaded into a Container for Export?Plan the load before the container arrives: stay within the container's payload and the road limits, spread...Answer
- Why Is Heavy Cargo Shipped in 20-ft Containers?Because a 20-ft container carries nearly as much weight as a 40-ft one in half the space. On one carrier's...Answer
Related freight problems
Related guides
Sources
- International Maritime Organization, “Verification of the gross mass of a packed container,” International regulation summary. Accessed September 2026.
- U.S. Coast Guard, “Marine Safety Information Bulletin 009/16: U.S. Declares an Equivalency to Regulation VI/2 of SOLAS,” Government bulletin. Accessed September 2026.
General operational information, not legal, customs or regulatory advice. Rules and rates change; confirm current requirements with the agency, carrier or contract that governs your shipment.