SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA (SOLAS)  VERIFIED GROSS MASS (VGM) 

As outlined in our announcement of May 3, 2016, with the introduction of the amendments to SOLAS 

regulations, effective July 1, 2016, the responsibility for the submission of the VGM (Verified Gross Mass) 

lies with the shipper. In the FAK/LCL environment, given that HT is the shipper of record on the Master 

Bill of Lading, that responsibility lies with us.

This means that HT will submit the VGM -in the required format and within the defined deadlines as 

provided by every carrier/terminal.

We will assume that the weight of any given LCL shipment, as submitted to us by you/on behalf of your 

customer, is true and accurate. Given, again, that HT is submitting the final container VGM, we are very 

much reliant on this precise information. We will not be asking for a specific document to be submitted to 

us certifying the weight of a specific shipment. We will accept weight information via the same method we 

do today ., as part of the regular documentation flow accompanying the shipment.

For the sake of due diligence, we will be performing spot checks on individual shipments upon receipt at our 

CFS's. Similarly, we will be doing checks on full containers, once loaded.

There is no doubt that SOLAS will add cost to the logistics process. As such, we are introducing the following 

fees/surcharges to cover additional expenses:

LCL 

SOLAS Admin fee: $15 USD per shipment, applied to every shipment 

SOLAS Weighing fee: as per market level to invoice, applied if you require us to weight any given shipment

FCL 

SOLAS Admin Fee: $8 USD per container, minimum $25 USD per bill of lading 

SOLAS VGM Fee: $25 USD per container plus any and all additional third party charges (obtaining 

actual weight certificate, additional dray, demurrage, waiting time, repositioning, etc.), when you 

require us to have a container weighed

We will continue to keep you updated with any other changes in process and procedures as we move forward.Contact your local HT office for Inquiries.

Ht shipping co ltd

上海汇东船务有限公司

二零一六年六月二十日