Weighing

Weighing in foreign trade refers to the operation of measuring the weight of goods, usually occurring before shipment, at the time of shipment, or after unloading at the destination port. Its core purpose is to determine the actual weight of the goods in order to calculate freight, customs declaration, settlement, or inspection to ensure compliance with contract specifications. Usage scenarios include: shipped and discharged weight of bulk cargo (such as ore, grain), Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of containerized cargo, chargeable weight of air freight, etc. Precautions: 1) Clarify the weighing method (gross weight, net weight, tare weight) and the applicable standards (e.g., the IMO SOLAS Convention requirements for VGM); 2) Distinguish between weighing at the port of shipment and at the port of destination, as differences may arise due to transport losses, affecting settlement; 3) Weighing certificates are usually issued by third-party inspection agencies (e.g., SGS) and serve as one of the documents for letter of credit negotiation. Difference from other terms: Weighing focuses on physical measurement, while 'measurement' may include volume, quantity, etc.; 'weighing' is a colloquial term for weighing but is more informal. Foreign trade contracts should specify the time, place, method of weighing, and the party bearing the costs to avoid disputes.