What is VGM and why is it required?

Verified Gross Mass is the total weight of a packed container including its tare. Since 2016 the SOLAS Chapter VI Regulation 2 has required the shipper to declare a VGM before a container can be loaded onto a vessel, to prevent dangerous mis-stowage from inaccurate weights.

What is the difference between Method 1 and Method 2?

Method 1 weighs the entire packed container on a calibrated scale. Method 2 adds the certified weights of the cargo, packaging, dunnage, and the container tare. This tool implements Method 2; Method 1 simply requires a single verified scale reading.

Where do I find the container tare weight?

The tare is stamped on the container's CSC safety approval plate and usually painted on the doors. Use that figure rather than the generic default, because real tares vary by manufacturer and container condition. The tool lets you override the standard tare.

What happens if the VGM exceeds the maximum gross mass?

You cannot legally ship an overweight container. The maximum gross mass, also on the CSC plate, is the structural limit. If the calculator flags an overweight, you must remove cargo or split the load across more containers before booking.

Does dunnage and packaging really need to be counted?

Yes. SOLAS requires the VGM to include everything inside the container, so pallets, bracing, lashing, desiccant, and packaging all count. Omitting them understates the declared mass and can make the booking non-compliant.

Container VGM (Verified Gross Mass) Calculator

Since the 2016 SOLAS amendment, no packed container can be loaded onto a ship without a Verified Gross Mass declared by the shipper. This calculator builds that figure with the SOLAS Method 2 calculation — summing cargo, packaging, dunnage, and the container’s own tare — and checks it against the box’s rated maximum gross mass.

How it works

The rule under SOLAS Chapter VI Regulation 2 is a simple sum:

VGM = cargo_weight
    + packaging_and_securing
    + dunnage_and_blocking
    + container_tare

The tool starts each container type from its standard tare, but you should enter the exact tare from the CSC plate when you have it. It then compares the VGM to the maximum gross mass — a structural limit also printed on the plate — and flags any overweight before you submit the booking.

Example

A 40ft High Cube with a 3,900 kg tare carrying 18,000 kg of cargo, 400 kg of packaging, and 150 kg of dunnage has a VGM of 22,450 kg. That is comfortably under the 30,480 kg maximum gross mass, so the booking can proceed.

Notes

Always use the actual tare and maximum gross mass stamped on your specific container’s CSC plate, as values vary by build and age. Method 2 weights must come from certified sources; some jurisdictions require the cargo weights to be documented. Treat the result as your declaration basis, not a substitute for it.