Four numbers that answer different questions
Keep these quantities separate in the purchase file. Net product weight is the bitumen itself. Package gross weight is the product plus the drum and any package-level materials stated in the packing schedule. Cargo gross weight adds the other cargo items used for the packed load, such as pallets, dunnage or securing material where applicable. Verified Gross Mass (VGM) is the gross mass of the packed container for the SOLAS process. VGM is not a replacement for the net product quantity shown in the commercial offer and packing list.
How SOLAS VGM is obtained
IMO guidance describes two methods. Method 1 weighs the packed and sealed container. Method 2 adds the masses of all packages and cargo items—including pallets, dunnage and securing material—to the container tare, using a certified method approved by the competent authority where packing was completed. The shipper named under the carriage arrangement is responsible for providing the verified mass in the shipping document sufficiently in advance for the stowage plan. Confirm the permitted method, cut-off and document format with the carrier or freight forwarder for the actual shipment.
Reconcile the packing list without guessing
Build the check container by container. Record the container number, seal number, drum count, declared net fill per drum or the approved fill schedule, total net product weight, total package gross weight, container tare and declared VGM. Where individual fills vary within an agreed tolerance, use the issued schedule or measured total rather than multiplying a nominal drum size. Do not calculate product tonnes by subtracting an estimated drum or container tare from VGM. Investigate unexplained differences before final documents are issued.
Use net tonnes for a fair price comparison
When two drum offers use different fills, drum counts or loading arrangements, compare the product price and delivered cost on the same confirmed net metric-tonne basis. Keep freight units visible: a freight amount quoted per container is not automatically a product price per tonne. First confirm the load plan and net tonnes in that container, then allocate only the costs that are not already included in the named delivery basis. Keep the quotation currency, expiry, destination and included charges beside the calculation.
A pre-approval document check
Match the purchase order and commercial invoice to the agreed net product quantity. Match the packing list to package counts, net and gross weights, container and seal references. Match the VGM declaration to the same container identity and the authorised shipper statement. Match any loading or inspection record to the agreed scope—quantity, packing condition, marks and loading checks are separate from a batch quality certificate. Record which document is provisional and which is final; do not force different documents to show the same number when they measure different things.
RFQ wording for drum-packed bitumen
Add this to the enquiry: “Grade and governing specification: [reference]. Required net quantity: [MT]. Packing: steel drums. State nominal and tolerance basis for net fill, expected drum count, package gross-weight schedule, palletisation or securing materials, container loading plan, and documents issued before and after loading. Quote on [FOB/CFR/CIF] [named place or port] and identify the price basis per net metric tonne. Confirm the VGM process and responsible shipper after booking.” Review the Bitumen 60/70 page or Bitumen 80/100 page, then send a grade-specific enquiry. Supply, packing and load-plan details remain subject to order-specific confirmation.
Sources and scope — reviewed 22 October 2026
The International Maritime Organization’s VGM guidance explains the shipper responsibility, two verification methods and loading condition under SOLAS VI/2. The IMO/ILO/UNECE CTU Code overview covers safe packing and securing across the intermodal chain. The reconciliation workflow and RFQ wording above are VEYRA editorial tools, not a weighing certificate, carrier instruction or legal opinion. Apply the competent authority’s rules and the carrier’s current procedures to the actual shipment.