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 the Ivory Coast are now allowed to use their certified scales to record Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of shipments. Download our Ivory Coast VGM policy and terminal guidelines for more information.

 VGM Responsabilities

Container is the responsibility of the shipper and so is the information.
As a shipper, you will be responsible for providing all VGM details within myMSC booking platform. Vendors or terminal operators are responsible for only loading containers with a VGM. Find more information on Tare Weight and SOLAS VGM: https://www.msc.com/en/lp/blog/key-terms/vgm-tare-weight-guide 

What do I need to include in my VGM instructions?

You must include the following on all VGM instructions:

• Booking or Bill of Lading (BL) number
• Container number
• VGM + weight measurement unit (kgs.)
• Responsible Party Name
• Digital signature of the authorised signatory in all CAPITAL LETTERS.

How can I submit my VGM instructions?

• myMSC (Free of Charge) 
• EDI (via INTTRA; GT NEXUS; Cargo Smart)
• Manually (via INTTRA; GT NEXUS; Cargo Smart)
• Email: CIV-info@msc.com (note: the email will only be monitored for VGM declarations)

Guidelines for submitting your VGM instructions

• MSC prefers to receive a Shipper-Verified Gross Mass (VGM) before cargo is delivered. 
• Any Shipper of Record-signed VGM will override any VGM derived at or by the terminal.
• For truck delivery, the ultimate deadline for VGM submission will be 12:00 noon local time on the day of the cargo cut-off. 
• There are currently no US terminals with a “NO VGM – No GATE” policy. 
• All rail shipments must have the VGM submitted within 24 hours of the container gating in at the origin rail ramp, to avoid any extra fees levied by the terminal for weighing services. 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 

• Manual VGM Submission Fee (applies to email, fax, and inclusion on standard shipping instructions): 25 USD per container. 
• Late VGM Submission Fee: 25 USD per container. 
• VGM Misdeclaration Fee: 300 USD per misdeclaration, per container.
  

It is illegal to bring the following items into or out of the Côte d'Ivoire.
 
Imports

• Articles containing dog or cat fur 
• Designated plants 
• Absinthe (if not compliant with specific regulations) 
• Matches containing white phosphorus 
• Ceramic tableware the lead content in the glaze of which exceeds a certain limit 
• Jadeites or rubies (whether contained in jewellery or not) mined in Myanmar 
• Gold coins if originating in specific countries (e.g. Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, Sudan) 
• Counterfeit money 
• Certain weapons, e.g. specific switchblade knives 
• Media with immoral or seditious content, such as child pornography
• Goods prohibited in the scope of economic sanctions, e.g. all Cuban-made articles or merchandise from Iran, Myanmar or Sudan 

Exports 

• Narcotics and some medication containing prohibited substances 
• Absinthe (or other alcohols containing Artemisia absinthium) 
• Endangered species that have not been outlined by CITES. To view the full list, visit the dedicated CITES page. 
• Items infringing trade and copyright regulations 

Ports and terminals
MSC operates services to and from the following Ivory Coast ports and terminals, with local teams in each location to support our customers. 
Abidjan Terminal is the primary gateway to the Côte d'Ivoire for containers. Excellent road connections also make it a major transit point for land-locked countries such as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.  

As per PAA Port Autonome d’Abidjan regulation all the import dangerous goods discharged should be removed under tackle (sous palan) otherwise it will be reloaded onto the vessel at the end of the vessel operation at the costs of the shipping line.

Our dedicated customer service team is available 7/24 to assist you at every step of your journey 

Below is a curated list of goods with restrictions, designed to help you maintain a competitive edge while avoiding restrictions.

• Articles containing dog or cat fur
• Designated plants
• Absinthe (if not compliant with specific regulations)
• Matches containing white phosphorus
• Ceramic tableware the lead content in the glaze of which exceeds a certain limit
• Jadeites or rubies (whether contained in jewellery or not) mined in Myanmar
• Gold coins if originating in specific countries (e.g. Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, Sudan)
• Counterfeit money
• Certain weapons, e.g. specific switchblade knives
• Media with immoral or seditious content, such as child pornography
• Goods prohibited in the scope of economic sanctions, e.g. all Cuban-made articles or merchandise from Iran, Myanmar or Sudan 

 

 

We simplify logistics by offering a single contact point for all your supply chain needs, reducing miscommunication and delays. We streamline invoicing, saving administrative effort while providing competitive pricing through our global network. Centralized services save time and minimize overhead costs, allowing businesses to focus on growth. Additionally, our commitment to innovation and sustainability enhances operational efficiency. By partnering with us, businesses gain a reliable ally in navigating complex global trade challenges. 

5 key reasons to have MSC for all services

• One single contact Point
• Simplified invoicing
• Competitive pricing
•  Time saving
• Reduces overhead

By seamlessly integrating ocean and land transportation, MSC ensures your cargo moves efficiently, reliably, and with unparalleled flexibility. Whether it’s controlling every step of the journey or adapting to your needs on the go, MSC delivers more than logistics—it delivers peace of mind and the power to thrive in a competitive marketplace.

Customer Relationship and Loyalty
When MSC manages both ocean and intermodal services, they become a one-stop solution for customers. This reduces the need for customers to deal with multiple service providers.

 Control over Services
By coordinating both Ocean and Land services, MSC can ensure that cargo is loaded, transferred, and delivered without delays or complications, thus ensuring a smoother customer experience.

 Flexibility in meeting customer needs
We can handle changes (while in transit) requested by customers, much more effectively than third-party service providers.

MSC takes care of your cargo from pick-up to delivery, providing a single point of contact for the entire journey. Because we understand that each customer has different needs, we go the extra mile to design tailor-made solutions. MSC offers road and rail solutions to/from Abidjan and the hinterland as well integrated logistics solutions.

These include three roads and one rail route, as well as more than 40’000m2 sqm of depot with 10 dedicated lifting equipment, 200 trucks, 400 trailers and 25 box loaders with main corridors (Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger)    

FROM/TO		ABIDJAN		FROM/TO	ABIDJAN
	Rail	Road			Road
OUAGADOUGOU	8 days	5 days		BOUAKE	1 day
BOBO DIOULASSO	8 days	5 days		SAN-PEDRO	1 day
KOUDOUGOU	8 days	5 days		GRAND-BASSAM	1 day
BANFORA	8 days	5 days		KORHOGO	1 day
BAMAKO		5 days		YAMOUSSOUKRO	1 day
NIAMEY	On request only	On request only