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 in Canada are now allowed to use their certified scales to record Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of shipments. Download our VGM policy and terminal guides for more information.

What do I need to include in my VGM instructions?

You must include the following on all VGM instructions:

• Booking or bill of Landing (BL) number
• Container number
• VGM + weight measurement unit (lbs or kg)
• Responsible Party Name
• Digital signature of the authorized signatory in Capital Letters

How can I submit my VGM instructions?

• myMSC (No fee, MSC's secure eBusiness platform)
• EDI (via INTTRA; GT NEXUS; Cargo Smart)

Guidelines for submitting your instructions

• MSC prefers to receive a Verified Gross Mass (CGM) before cargo is delivered. This helps to avoid any unexpected weighing charges being levied against the cargo at the Canadian Port of Loading, which will be billed to the Shipper of Record. 
• If the Shipper of Record (the party legally responsible for the shipment) provides a signed Verified Gross Mass (VGM) for a container, that value will take precedent over any VGM that might be automatically calculated or estimated by the system.
• For cut-off, please refer to our cargo cut off information. 
• There are currently no Canadian terminals with a "No VGM" policy. 
• All rail late gates will only be considered for approval when a VGM is submitted by the Shipper of Record before 12:00 noon, local time, on the day of the cargo cut-off.

MSC admin fees and costs

Late VGM submission fee: 50 USD per container
VGM misdeclaration fee: 20 USD per container

Questions about VGM?

Please contact our Canadian service team: ca193-export.service@msc.com

All prohibited export goods for Canada follow the applied international rules.

Note, this is subject to the ILR (Import Local Regulations) at the destination country.

Policy on shipments to sanctioned countries

For more information on prohibited exports to any of the below listed sanctioned countries, please contact ca193-sanctions@msc.com.

• Afghanistan
• Belarus
• Cuba
• Libya
• Myanmar
• Russia
• Sudan
• Syria
• Venezuela

Policy on arms and arms-related equipment cargoes

Any of the below items will require approval from the Sanctions team (ca193-sanctions@msc.com), regardless of origin or destination.

• Any cargo under HS Code 93
• Arms and arms-related materials and equipment of all types
• Items intended for military purposes of for military end-user
• Any item which, because of its design or characteristics, could be confused with any of above, by a non-expert eye or mind (e.g. paintball equipment)

Please note that information in this section is subject to change at any given moment, without notice, in accordance with Canadian customs regulations.

Import

The following items are considered as prohibited importations within Canada.

• Obscene material  
• Coin, base or counterfeit 
• Goods manufactured or produced by prison or forced labor 
• Used or second-hand mattresses and materials therefrom 
• False description of geographical origin of goods and goods with trademarks 
• Used or second-hand motor vehicles (subject to specific customs' restrictions)
• White phosphorous matches 
• Hate propaganda

For more information, please see: Memoranda Series D9.

Policy on arms and arms-related equipment cargoes
Any of the below items will require approval from the Sanctions team (ca193-sanctions@msc.com), regardless of origin or destination.

• Any cargo under HS Code 93 
• Arms and arms-Related materials and equipment of all types 
• Items intended for military purposes or for a military end-user
• Any item which, because of its design or characteristics, could be confused with any of the above, by a non-expert eye or mind (e.g. paintball equipment) 

​​

Detention is a fee charged when you keep the carrier’s container (full or empty) outside a port, rail ramp, or container yard after the allowed free time has ended. This charge is also applicable while the container is detained for Canadian customs inspection or if the container must be held for safety reasons and must undergo reworking, transloading or other container reworking.

To initiate a dispute, please contact CA193-demurrage.detention@msc.com. Please include the container number in question, bill of lading and invoice number, with a brief description as to the reason for dispute.

What is demurrage?

Demurrage is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, for the use of the carrier’s container inside the marine terminal, rail ramp or container yard. This charge is also applicable while the container is under Canadian customs hold or if the container needs to be reworked for safety reasons.

To initiate a dispute, please contact CA193-demurrage.detention@msc.com. Please include the container number in question, Bill of Lading and invoice number, with a brief description as to the reason for dispute.

What are storage charges?

Storage charges apply when the container is kept on-site for longer than the free time allotted by the terminal, depot, container yard or rail yard. They are invoiced and handled directly with the terminal, depot, or container/rail yard, unless MSC Canada is responsible for the door delivery of the shipment. In this case, storage will be invoiced by, and payable to, MSC.

Paying detention and demurrage charges through E-Pay

To pay by credit card, wire transfer or PayCargo please visit our ePay platform and enter the requested information. Our user guide and template are available for download to guide you through the process. Both you and our Freight Cashier team will receive the payment confirmation.

Detention and demurrage: updated payment policy
Please note that the MSC Canada finance department will no longer accept cheque copies or written guarantees to release shipments from Detention and Demurrage hold.

The following options are available for release of shipment:

• For immediate release, payment must be submitted by credit card. 
• If the payment cannot be made by credit card, payment by ACH, wire transfer or via PayCargo is accepted. However, the shipment will be released only after funds clear. 

​Questions about detention, demurrage or storage charges? Please contact the MSC Canada Demurrage and Detention department: CA193-demurrage.detention@msc.com

Find local information on empty return depot locations by container type and condition based on the below chart.  

To make things as easy as possible, we have provided this information by city.  

For empty return locations please consult our empty return location guide: 

Shipper owned containers should not be returned back empty to MSC depot locations. For depot addresses and relevant contact information visit our vendor contact page. 

If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact your local agency who will be happy to help. 

Container types:

• DV = Dry 8'6 Standard
• HC = Dry 9'6 High Cube
• OT = Dry Open Top
• FR = Dry Flat Rack 
• RE = Reefer 8'6 Standard
• HR = Reefer 9'6 High Cube 

Find local information on empty return depot locations by container type and condition based on the below chart.  

To make things as easy as possible, we have provided this information by city.  

For empty return locations please consult our empty return location guide: 

Shipper owned containers should not be returned back empty to MSC depot locations. For depot addresses and relevant contact information visit our vendor contact page. 

If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact your local agency who will be happy to help. 

Container types:

• DV = Dry 8'6 Standard
• HC = Dry 9'6 High Cube
• OT = Dry Open Top
• FR = Dry Flat Rack 
• RE = Reefer 8'6 Standard
• HR = Reefer 9'6 High Cube 

​