Verified gross mass (VGM) declaration example and field guide
See the document before you start.
Open a real PDF with fictional data. Then change the example quantities to see a difference detected and corrected.
Try this example ↗No account or upload. Fictional data only; no shipment is created and no allowance is used.
FCL sea-shipment example. It does not weigh the container or submit a declaration to a carrier.
Opening PDF…
Fictional sample. For layout review only, not for shipping.
Verified gross mass (VGM) is the mass of a packed container, including its tare. The shipper is responsible for the accuracy of the VGM and for providing it through the required shipping process. Confirm the method, timing and format with your carrier and the relevant authority.
Two ways to establish the mass
- Method 1: weigh the packed container. In Packlistly, enter that measured mass.
- Method 2: weigh the cargo, packaging, pallets and other packing or securing material, then add the container tare. The IMO overview describes a certified method approved by the competent authority where packing was completed. Confirm the applicable local requirements.
- In the app: Method 2 adds the packing-list gross including separately recorded pallets to the entered container tare. Ensure your packing weights include all relevant material; an arithmetic total alone does not establish an approved weighing method.
Fields to check
- Shipment: an FCL container shipment by sea.
- Container number: the correct identifier, including its check digit.
- Booking number: the carrier booking reference.
- Method and mass: the measured mass for Method 1, or complete packing weights and container tare for Method 2.
- Authorized person and declaration date.
Prepare and send the declaration
Packlistly prints the VGM declaration from the inputs you provide for an FCL sea shipment. It is not a weighing service and does not submit the declaration to the carrier or terminal. The shipper is responsible for checking the mass and arranging the required submission. The sample contains fictional data and is not a weighing record.
FAQ
- Does Packlistly weigh the container?
- No. You supply the measured mass or the Method 2 weights. Packlistly calculates and prints the declaration from those entries.
- Does downloading the PDF submit the VGM?
- No. Arrange submission with your carrier or forwarder and confirm their timing and format requirements.
Official sources
General information, not legal, customs or tax advice. Incoterms® is a trademark of the International Chamber of Commerce.