What is detention?
Detention is the charge to use the carrier’s full container, inside the marine terminal, railroad facilities or container yard, after the expiry of the free time. This charge can also apply while the container is undergoing inspection by Benin Customs, or while the cargo inside the container is being reworked for safety reasons.   

What is demurrage?
Demurrage is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, inside the terminal use of the land. In case of a demurrage dispute, email BJ469-logisticbj@msc.com describing the reasons for the dispute. 
 
What are storage charges?
A storage charge is applicable for containers left inside the rail ramp or container yard (to use the land) after the free time expires. Our stevedore handles storage calculations and payments.

SOLAS VGM information for Benin

Government approval status

The government position regarding the implementation of the verified gross mass (VGM) amendments in the SOLAS Convention has been defined in decree No. 59/MIT/DC/SGM/CTJ/PAC/CNCB/DMM/SA, dated 30 June 2016.

Verified gross mass or VGM refers to the exact, verified weight of a packed container. For safety reasons, vessel operators can only load a container if its weight has been verified.
In line with Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAS) regulations, all marine terminals in Benin are now allowed to use their certified scales to record shipment VGM.

What do I need to include in my VGM instructions?

You must include the following on all VGM instructions:

• Booking or Bill of Lading (BL) number
• Container number
• VGM (kgs)
• Shipper/Authorised Party’s signature   
• Shipper/Authorised Party's name
  
   

How  submit my VGM instructions?

VGM instructions should be submitted on myMSC

Deadlines for sending VGM instructions

Instructions must be recorded before the vessel closing date, i.e. 48 hours before vessel arrival. 

Admin fees and costs 

Any cost or consequences caused by delay, misdeclaration or manual entry of VGM instructions is payable by the shipper.

Contact information
For more information, please contact the MSC Benin customer service team
Email : bj469-inttrabj@msc.com
Tel: + 229 21 31 56 90

The following are prohibited for both important and export

• Illegal drugs
• Guns, explosives and ammunition
• Knives and deadly weapons
• Hazardous materials (Class 1/5.1/6.2/7)
• Pornographic material

If in doubt regarding any commodity not listed above, please contact our Import or Export Sales Team.

For full details of prohibited cargo in Benin, please see Import and export regulations

Ports and terminals

MSC operates services to and from BENIN from One Port & Terminal with our stevedore  teams  to support our customers.