Connecting New Zealand to the world

MSC opened its first New Zealand office in 1996. Today the agency has grown to over 70 employees nationwide, spread over both the North and South Islands, with our head office based in Christchurch. We have built a strong expertise in fields such as dairy, meat, fruits, beverages, and other food products, as well as paper materials, forest products and minerals.

Our local presence, together with an understanding of local needs and an ability to swiftly respond to client enquiries, is the key to our success. MSC’s strength in New Zealand is also seen in our diverse and reliable services across both sea and land, our container availability, and specialised reefer services.

Contact our team to request a quote, book or find out more about our local services

LOCAL OFFICES INFORMATION

What is detention?
Detention is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, for the use of the carrier’s full container inside the marine terminal, railroad facilities or container yard. This charge can also apply while the container is undergoing customs inspections, or while the cargo inside the container is being reworked for safety reasons.

What is demurrage?
Demurrage is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, inside the terminal for the use of the land.
In case of a demurrage dispute, email your local team: Dispute + Invoice Number), describing the reasons for your dispute.

What is Per Diem?
Per Diem is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, for the use of the carrier’s container (full or empty) outside the marine terminal, rail ramp or container yard.
In case of Per Diem disputes, email your local team, mentioning the invoice number in the email subject.

Questions about detention, demurrage, Per Diem or storage charges?
For further information please contact your local MSC team.

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.
In line with SOLAS (Safety of Lives at Sea) regulations, all marine terminals are now allowed to use their certified scales to record Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of shipments.

Government approval status

National body in New Zealand is MNZ (Maritime New Zealand)
All verified weighing equipment within New Zealand must be certified by the Trading Standards Division of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
All container terminals have announced across the board that no container will be gated in without certified VGM.

What do I need to include in my VGM instructions?

New Zealand terminals will require the following items to be declared in Pre Receival Advices (PRA) prior to containers being accepted into the terminal.
The following items are mandatory and must be on all VGM instructions

Booking number
Container number
Verified Gross Mass
Declaration that the VGM has been calculated using one of the approved methods and being submitted by an authorized party on behalf of the shipper.
Weight Calculation Method
Verification Date
Name of Declarant
Company
Either Phone or Email Address

How can I submit my VGM instructions?

Refer to individual terminal notices on how to submit PRA/VGM.

Deadlines for sending your VGM instructions

VGM must be declared when submitting the PRA, prior to containers being delivered to the terminal.

Admin Fees and costs

Some NZ terminals will apply a fee to accept manual submission for VGM information.
Any weighbridge, transport or other cost incurred to determine the VGM is for shipper’s account.
If shipper presents container at a terminal without having declared the VGM, the container will not be accepted, and any associated costs will be to shipper’s account.
If an amendment to a VGM is requested after the container has been accepted into the terminal, any costs incurred will be to shipper’s account.

Recommendations for submitting your VGM instructions

Determine the weight calculation method that is most suitable for your cargo.
Ensure that appropriately trained and authorized personnel are responsible for the calculation and submission of the VGM.
Ensure that appropriate record keeping is in place.
Register for myMSC.com for access to container tare weights if necessary.

View the full list of import prohibited and restricted goods.

View the full list of export prohibited and restricted goods.

Ports and terminals
Below are some of the main New Zealand ports and terminals, with local teams available to support our customers.

Port	Terminal
Auckland	Fergusson Container Terminal
Bluff	Bluff Island Harbour Container Terminal
Lyttelton	Lyttelton Container Terminal
Marsden Point	Northport
Napier	Napier Port Container Terminal
Nelson	Port Nelson Container Terminal
Port Chalmers	Port Chalmers Container Terminal
Tauranga	Tauranga Port Container Terminal
Wellington	Centreport Container Terminal

Fumigation

Our team of in-house forestry experts enables us to provide dedicated cargo fumigation services for the seamless shipment of wood. As a specialist in log shipments, including a long track record of shipping wood to the Far East, we provide tailored support for all of our customers, including those with specific requirements due to the bark beetle infestation in Northern Europe.

Contact our team

Our Solutions