The manual documentation process on ONE
ONE shipments generate four document types beyond SI and BL that ops teams must produce and submit on carrier-specific deadlines.
- 01
Calculate VGM
Determine verified gross mass using Method 1 (weigh packed container) or Method 2 (sum of cargo, packaging, dunnage, tare). Declaration must include numerical weight, unit, and declaring party.
- 02
Submit VGM through eCommerce or EDI
Use ONE eCommerce web portal (per-container entry or Excel mass upload via download/upload template pattern), mobile app, EDI VERMAS (preferred; IFTMIN and ANSI 304 also accepted), API through developer portal, or INTTRA integration. Hong Kong VGM guide documents the Excel template pattern.
Pain pointVGM cut-offs are per-terminal. Missing the deadline means the container is not loaded. No single global VGM deadline. UK penalties: GBP 130/container for late VGM, GBP 142/container for misdeclaration.
- 03
Flag DG at booking stage
Tick the DG flag on the booking form. Enter IMO class, UN number, and per-container DG details. ONE QUOTE cannot be used for DG cargo — route through standard eCommerce or local office channels.
- 04
Submit MDGF (PM4) and await approval
Submit the Multimodal Dangerous Goods Form. Singapore-documented timeline: PM4 at least 5 working days before vessel ETA at Singapore by 1200hrs; container-numbered final PM4 at least 2 working days before by 1200hrs. Submissions after 1200hrs not attended same day. Late submission: MPA/Port Chemist charges or DG rejection for loading.
Pain pointONE does not publish a global DG approval SLA. Singapore's 5-working-day rule is the cleanest documented example. Other ports: approval timeline is operator-known only. IMDG Amendment 42-24 enforced from 1 November 2025 (ahead of IMO mandatory date of 1 January 2026).
- 05
Prepare advance manifest data
For US-bound: AMS 28-hour rule (carrier master manifest, ONEY SCAC). For Canada-bound: ACI (CBSA code 919J). For Mexico-bound: CAAT code 34ME. For EU-bound: ICS2 ENS (F10-F13 filing, 24-hour-prior-to-loading deadline). For Japan-bound: AFR. For China-bound: CCAM.
Pain pointICS2 BL-issuing-carrier responsibility: for ONE bookings on MSC slot exchange tonnage, ONE remains the ENS filer. For MSC bookings on Premier Alliance tonnage, MSC files. Forwarders must know which carrier is the BL issuer.
- 06
Handle ICS2 'No MRN / No Load'
Without a valid Movement Reference Number from EU Customs, ONE will not load the cargo. ESD surcharge of USD 35/BL applies for carrier-side ENS transmission. For F11 filings, ESD based on total document count.
- 07
Monitor arrival notice
Arrival notices issued by destination office via email and/or eCommerce portal. Notification timing is destination-specific. No published global pre-arrival notification window.
- 08
Generate pre-alert to consignee
Parse arrival notice for vessel/voyage, ETA, container numbers, outstanding charges. Generate branded pre-alert and initiate customs clearance preparation.
Where ONE documentation errors happen
The most common ONE documentation failures across VGM, DG, advance manifest, and arrival notice workflows. Each is preventable with the right submission channel, timing, and data validation.
UK VGM penalties
Late VGM at UK ports: GBP 130/container. VGM misdeclaration: GBP 142/container. SOLAS regime fines vary by port authority. Remediation: submit VGM well before per-terminal cut-off and cross-check against SI gross weight.
Missed VGM cut-off
Per-terminal deadline passed. Container denied loading. Remediation: monitor per-terminal VGM cut-off from booking confirmation and submit well in advance.
DG booking on ONE QUOTE
ONE QUOTE excludes DG and special cargo. Forwarder attempts DG booking through spot platform. Booking rejected. Remediation: route all DG bookings through standard eCommerce or local office.
DG approval delay
No published global SLA. Booking at risk if DG classification review not initiated early. Only Singapore has a documented timeline (5 working days). Remediation: initiate DG classification at booking stage, not documentation stage.
ICS2 incomplete filing
Missing or generic cargo description, truncated HS code, blank Buyer/Seller on EU-bound cargo. ENS rejected, 'No MRN / No Load' enforcement. Remediation: complete all ICS2 fields in the SI before submission.
ESD cost on multi-house shipments
F11 filing (one Master BL + multiple House BLs): ESD USD 35 based on total document count, not per-BL flat rate. Cost surprises on consolidated shipments. Remediation: calculate ESD at booking stage; evaluate F12/F13 self-filing.
ICS2 filing responsibility confusion
ONE booking on MSC slot exchange vessel: ONE files the ENS (as BL issuer). MSC booking on Premier Alliance vessel: MSC files. Forwarder assumes wrong carrier is filing. Remediation: identify the BL-issuing carrier and confirm ENS filing responsibility.
Legacy container VGM mismatch
VGM submitted for NYKU/MOLU/KKLU-prefixed container with wrong carrier reference. VGM not matched to ONE booking. Remediation: map all legacy-prefix containers to ONEY for VGM submissions.
How Expedion agents handle ONE documentation
Expedion agents automate all four ONE documentation sub-workflows: VGM, DG, advance manifest, and arrival notices.
Submit through eCommerce portal, EDI VERMAS, or API. Use Excel mass upload for high-volume shipments. Avoid manual submission penalties.
Track per-terminal VGM deadlines from booking confirmation. Surface missed-cut-off risk before the deadline.
Automated cross-check between declared VGM and SI gross weight to catch discrepancies before they trigger terminal holds.
Pre-validate MDGF/PM4 against IMDG Amendment 42-24 requirements. Route DG bookings through standard channels (not ONE QUOTE). Track approval status through local office.
Enforce six-digit HS code, accurate cargo description, and Buyer/Seller data for EU-bound cargo. Monitor MRN generation post-filing. Flag 'No MRN / No Load' blocks.
Pre-calculate ESD impact for EU-bound shipments. Surface F12/F13 self-filing option where the forwarder has the capability.
Handle AMS (US, ONEY), ACI (Canada, 919J), CAAT (Mexico, 34ME), ICS2 (EU), AFR (Japan), CCAM (China) filing requirements per booking destination.
Monitor for arrival notice generation at destination. Reconcile against DCSA T&T vessel-arrival milestone. Issue consignee pre-alerts on the earlier event.
Map NYKU, MOLU, KKLU container prefixes to ONEY for VGM submission and matching.
ONE documentation fees and deadlines
Published fee and deadline data across documented geographies. Gaps indicate data not yet located in public documentation.
| Item | Fee / Deadline | Geography | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late VGM Charge | GBP 130/container | UK | ONE UK local charges PDF |
| VGM Misdeclaration Charge | GBP 142/container | UK | ONE UK local charges PDF |
| VGM submission fee | Not confirmed in published tariffs | Global | Gap |
| VGM cut-off | Per-terminal, per-service | Global | ONE local info pages |
| DG submission form | MDGF (PM4) | Global | ONE dangerous goods page |
| DG approval SLA (Singapore) | PM4 5 working days before vessel ETA by 1200hrs | Singapore | sg.one-line.com |
| DG approval SLA (other ports) | Not published | Global | Gap |
| IMDG enforcement | Amendment 42-24 from 1 November 2025 | Global | ONE advisory |
| ICS2 lodgement | From 8 October 2024 | EU | ONE ICS2 FAQ |
| ICS2 filing types | F10, F11, F12, F13 | EU | ONE ICS2 FAQ |
| ESD surcharge | USD 35/BL (carrier-side ENS, since 2018) | EU | ONE ESD advisory |
| ENS deadline | 24 hours prior to loading | EU | ONE ICS2 FAQ |
| ICS2 enforcement | No MRN / No Load | EU + Norway + Switzerland + NI | ONE ICS2 FAQ |
| AMS deadline (US) | 28 hours before vessel arrival at first US port | USA | ONE AMS advisory |
| US CBP auto-rejection | From 27 September 2025 | USA | ONE AMS advisory |
| ACI filing (Canada) | CBSA carrier code 919J | Canada | ONE SCAC announcement |
| CAAT filing (Mexico) | Code 34ME | Mexico | ONE SCAC announcement |
| Arrival notice SLA | Not published | Global | Gap |
TMS compatibility for ONE documentation
Expedion agents manage ONE documentation workflows from within your existing TMS. For CargoWise users, agents submit VGM and DG data via the eAdaptor API (EDI) and pull arrival notice data through the integration layer. For GoFreight and Magaya, agents use the respective REST and Open APIs for VGM submission, DG data exchange, and manifest data preparation.
Full TMS compatibility details are on the ONE overview page.
Related pages
All ONE pages: Overview · Booking · Shipping instructions · Bill of lading · Tracking & visibility
Documentation across carriers: Maersk documentation · MSC documentation · CMA CGM documentation · Hapag-Lloyd documentation · COSCO documentation · Evergreen documentation
Solutions: Documentation automation
Glossary: VGM · Dangerous Goods · ICS2
Frequently asked questions
What VGM submission channels does ONE support?
ONE accepts VGM through the eCommerce web portal (per-container entry or Excel mass upload), mobile app (added 2022), EDI (VERMAS preferred; IFTMIN and ANSI 304 also accepted), API through the developer portal, and INTTRA. The Hong Kong VGM guide documents the Excel download/upload template pattern. Expedion agents route all VGM through digital channels to avoid manual submission penalties.
What are ONE's VGM penalty fees?
At UK ports, ONE charges GBP 130 per container for late VGM and GBP 142 per container for VGM misdeclaration. VGM submission fees at Indian and other Asian origin ports are not confirmed in published tariffs. VGM cut-offs are per-terminal — missing the deadline means the container is not loaded.
Does ONE publish a DG approval SLA?
No. ONE does not publish a global DG approval turnaround time. Singapore has the cleanest documented timeline: PM4 must be submitted at least 5 working days before vessel ETA by 1200hrs, with container-numbered final PM4 at least 2 working days before. Other ports process DG approvals through local offices with no published SLA.
What is the Singapore DG submission timeline?
The DG application (PM4) must be submitted at least 5 working days before vessel ETA at Singapore (per Portnet) by 1200hrs. The container-numbered final PM4 must be submitted at least 2 working days before vessel ETA by 1200hrs. Submissions after 1200hrs are not attended on the same day. Late submission incurs MPA/Port Chemist charges or DG rejection for loading.
How does ONE handle ICS2 advance manifest data?
ONE began ICS2 ENS submissions on 8 October 2024. ONE supports F10/F11 (full ENS filing by ONE) and F12/F13 (multi-filing where the forwarder files house-level data). ESD surcharge of USD 35/BL applies for carrier-side ENS transmission. The ENS deadline is 24 hours prior to loading. 'No MRN / No Load' is enforced for EU, Norway, Switzerland, and Northern Ireland-bound cargo.
What is the ESD surcharge?
The Entry Summary Declaration (ESD) surcharge is USD 35 per BL for carrier-side ENS transmission to EU Customs. It has been in effect since 2018. For F11 filings (one Master BL with multiple House BLs), ESD is based on total document count, not a per-BL flat rate. Forwarders with the capability can evaluate F12/F13 self-filing to manage ESD costs.
Who is responsible for ICS2 filing on MSC slot exchange bookings?
The BL-issuing carrier is responsible for the ENS transmission. For ONE bookings sailing on MSC slot exchange tonnage, ONE remains the BL issuer and therefore the responsible ENS filer. For MSC bookings on Premier Alliance tonnage, MSC is responsible. Forwarders must identify the BL-issuing carrier to confirm ENS filing responsibility.