The port of Charleston has become the first in the USA to offer to weigh containers to provide a VGM when the new regulations come into force in July 2016.

Jim Newsome, President and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority is reported to have said that providing the service could represent best practice in the industry. However this solution to the problem of providing a VGM for every container is subject to approval by the US Coast Guard.

Some other US ports, including Savannah and Virginia, have said that they will not be providing a service on behalf of shippers. Few terminals seem to believe that it is worth their while investing in the necessary equipment.