Consequences of wrong declaration of weight

Posted on 08 April 2023 Category : Export

The information provided here is part of Online business guide course

Normally while booking empty containers for loading, the shipper is asked about the weight of cargo by carrier. Shipper declares weight in shipping documents and complete customs formalities. It is not the responsibility of customs of each country to assess exact weight of cargo unless otherwise the shi

pper claims any benefit under quantity based goods. So the responsibility of declaring correct weight is vested with the shipper.

Maintaining Stability of the ship while loading containers plays an important role in safety of all cargo in a cargo ship. The cargo is stowed with heavy weight containers on deck or under deck and lighter containers upwards. So 14 tons container will be under 12 tons container and so on. If 12 tons container’s actual weight is 15 tons it effects the stability of the ship in turn the whole containers of ship.

The loading equipment may get damaged and results accidents based on the said wrong information on weight.

As per my experience during career, there was a study case on wrong declaration of weight. The declared weight in packing list and shipping bills was 16.5 tons (which is the safe weight instructed by carrier to move the cargo to US ports). The container has been caught on the highway on transit to inland destination of US due to overweight. The container has been actually weighed and found the actual cargo weight is 26 tons! Compare the difference. It was more than 50% variation!. So you can follow the consequences on stability of ship, if this container is under 17 tons actual weight container which is loaded under this container.

In spite of several precautions taken by the authorities to control these cases, the wrong declaration of weight continues by the shipper to save overweight charges. However, the recent steps taken by the authorities of various countries minimize such cases as the penal charges imposing is too heavy, by taking in to consideration on the seriousness of consequences.

The over weight cargo leads serious accidents which threatens the lives of innocent crew, working at various locations apart from docks.

Shippers may brush up your mind, while declaring wrong weight - you are saving little money against the huge loss of wealth or lives of others! Also click here to read Consequences of wrong declaration of weight – Part 2.

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The above information is a part of Guide on howtoexport and import

Other details on how to import export

How to minimize import cargo clearance time? An open logic proposal to WTO

Consequences of wrong declaration of weight – Part 2.

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Documents required for import customs clearance

How important Packing in export trade ?

Difference between Demurrage and Detention in import

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Click here to know India Trade Classification(ITC)

Click here to know HS code of other product/commodity

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Measurement of export containers
Export Import Policy of India 2015-20
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Comments

Thomas: On 20 February 2013 Excellent Article. Great.

admin: On 21 February 2013 Hi Thomas, Follow us for new articles

ROY: On 08 May 2013 Dear sir, I gone through your all articles, it is very usefull for those who is working in import export trade. simple language with good example is your speciality. i have added in my favorite list.

Vahab M.A: On 10 May 2013 Hi Sir, I am very much support your article, Because this may lead to so many accidents and other issues while the transit of containers.. congrats

Dane: On 11 May 2013 Very nice with your word "Shippers may brush up your mind, while declaring wrong weight - you are saving little money against the huge loss of wealth or lives of others!" Good article!

Anil Kumar: On 01 November 2013 Dear Sir, I am going through articles in your website and found them very useful especially who are import / export career. Many thanks for this work.

Subhadip: On 06 November 2013 dear Sir, it is very useful site for those who are in this trade. Thanks a lot for your effort. It really provides a lot of information regarding exp/imp.

Julia: On 05 December 2013 Hey Thomas, Can i ask you a question? I am writing now an exam paper about misdeclared containers' weight and consequences caused by that and i can't find a simple explanation on 1 point. So my question is - i understand that shippers declare cargo weight, but does nobody really weights the container in the port before loading? How come that 'overweight' containers appear on the vessel? if authorities know this problem exists, do they really do nothing to prevent it? (i mean i know there are fines for that, but why not stop it before container is actually on the ship)

Anil: On 13 January 2014 hi Very useful article.

Rahman: On 12 June 2014 It is very helpful article for those who are already in this trade and for those also who wish to come in this trade in near future.

Viktoriya : On 06 February 2020 It is very important information. But if we have problems in export declaration in point consignee. I mean , write no name my company , write name company of transport agent. I can't do custom clearance . Can I annul export declaration and receive new one? Do you have such problem?

Waheed Alam: On 21 October 2020 We made TT to Japan but shipper wrongly mentioned LC number on BL. Now confinement reached at destination port but shipping line not clear the consignment without bank endorsement of shipping documents. how can clear the consignment?