The United Nations International Maritime Organization has amended the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) for containerized shipments. Beginning July 1, 2016, shippers will be required to provide the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) for all packed containers as a condition for vessel loading. There are two methods allowed for determining VGM; either weighing the packed container or weighing the contents including dunnage, packing and securing materials, and adding this total to the tare weight shown on the container.

Implementation will take place as this book is being published so no standard procedures are yet available. As enforcement will be done on a country-specific basis, readers should contact their national authorities for compliance guidance.