The mandatory regulations of the International Maritime Organization on container weights come into force in July 2016. However, if you still do not know how to comply with this new regulation, do not worry: you are not alone.While attending the Conference on International Trade in SouthCarolina in September, Drewry discovered that none of the exporters and shippers attendees had defined the processes on how to act.

The regulation says that shippers must declare the gross weight of the container, if the combined weight of all packages and cargo items, including pallets, dunnage and other packing materials and fastening materials. But the only exporter knows the tare weight when the container is delivered to the place of shipment. Will it be a work of shippers read the tare indicated on the box itself may depend on the weight or the company tells them? And the exporter can not be held responsible if the container has been repaired or modified and no longer has the original tare weight, right?

“The cost will be prohibitive,” says Melanie Wilson, board member of the National Association of Customs Brokers
and Forwarders America. “How are we going to do this?”

According to Drewry, there are two methods for providing and declare verified container weight.

Method 1: Weighing the filled container using weighing equipment calibrated and certified.

Method 2: Despite packages and cargo items, including all packaging and securing equipment, and adding it to the tare container, using a method approved by the competent certification authority.

It is important to comply with the regulation. Otherwise, the container will not load on the boat.