USA - VGM Requirements for Shipments to Australia
Advisory Notice: Potential Weight Discrepancy Penalties for Australia-Bound Shipments
Effective Immediately – USA to Oceania
Australian terminals may issue penalties when the declared Verified Gross Mass (VGM) differs from the actual weight recorded at the Port of Discharge (POD) by more than ±1 ton.
These discrepancies primarily stem from the different weighing methods used at origin and destination:
- U.S. terminals may calculate VGM using standard (default) truck and chassis weights instead of the actual equipment weights used during gate-in.
- Australian terminals weigh only the container, excluding the truck and chassis entirely.
Because the methodologies do not align, the declared VGM may not match the weight recorded at destination — and any penalties assessed by the third-party terminal cannot be absorbed or waived by Hapag-Lloyd.
Recommended Action
To reduce the risk of penalties, customers should submit the VGM through official Hapag-Lloyd channels after the container has gated in at the port of loading. (Refer to the “Guideline to Submit VGM” for process details.)
Submitting VGM post–gate-in ensures the most accurate weight is captured and supports compliance with Australian requirements.
Contact
For questions or further clarification, please reach out to your local Customer Service Team. For current schedule activity please visit our website at www.hapag-lloyd.com.