In international shipping and logistics, a shipping manifest (also called a cargo manifest or freight manifest) is a detailed, legally required document that lists all the goods on a transport vehicle (such as a ship, plane, or truck). Carriers prepare this inventory before departure to show exactly what is onboard. The manifest includes information like descriptions of each item, quantities, weights, the shipper (sender) and consignee (receiver), and the ports of loading and discharge. It is submitted to customs and port authorities so officials know what cargo is arriving or departing. In short, a shipping manifest provides a comprehensive record of a shipment’s contents, which is essential for compliance and tracking.
Shipping manifests can cover different modes of transport. For example, an ocean shipping manifest is often called a customs manifest in sea freight. Air cargo has its air cargo manifest, and rail or truck shipments use similar documents to report cargo. Regardless of the mode, the manifest serves the same purpose: giving authorities and carriers a clear, consolidated overview of the shipment.
A complete and accurate shipping manifest is crucial for smooth international trade. It lets customs officers, carriers, and logistics teams know exactly what cargo is on board, which helps prevent errors, delays, and illegal shipments. For example, a manifest helps provide a comprehensive overview of the ship’s cargo, ensuring that all freight is accounted for. Customs officials use it to enforce import/export rules, calculate duties, and check that no prohibited items are hidden in the shipment. Carriers also use the manifest to generate invoices and to coordinate pickups and deliveries.
Shipping manifests also improve safety and handling. If a shipment contains fragile, hazardous, or temperature-sensitive goods, the manifest can include special instructions. For instance, without clear manifest details, fragile items might be handled roughly or stored incorrectly. That could lead to damage or spoilage, for which the importer (not the shipper) would be responsible. In general, an accurate manifest speeds up customs clearance and loading/unloading, because officials and dock workers immediately know what to expect at each port. If manifests were missing or wrong, containers could be opened and checked one by one, causing huge delays. Even minor errors on a manifest can cause shipments to be held up and incur fines.
The bottom line: a well-prepared manifest keeps goods moving quickly and safely. It streamlines customs clearance, supports correct billing, and provides transparency in the supply chain.
A shipping manifest is like a detailed packing list for a ship or container. It must include enough information for anyone inspecting the cargo to understand what’s inside. Key contents of a manifest typically include:
Cargo Details: Description of each item or product being shipped, along with the quantity of packages (e.g., “10 crates of electronics”), weight, and dimensions.
Vessel and Container Information: If the cargo is in containers, the manifest lists each container number and seal number, along with the vessel’s name or identifying number.
Shipper and Consignee: The names and addresses of the shipper (exporter/sender) and the consignee (importer/receiver). These parties are linked to the shipment for contact and legal purposes.
Ports of Origin and Destination: The port where the cargo was loaded and the intended discharge port. This helps officials know the route of the goods.
Reference Numbers: References such as the Bill of Lading (B/L) number, booking number, or booking reference associated with each shipment on board. Each consignment usually has its own B/L number, which the manifest ties together for the whole ship.
Shipping Method and Charges: The mode of transport (sea, air, rail, road) and sometimes a summary of freight charges for each consignment. This is especially important if multiple shipments (consignments) with different charges share the same vehicle.
Special Handling Instructions: Any notes on hazardous materials, refrigeration requirements, or fragile items? For example, a Reefer Manifest (see below) will include temperature settings. Proper manifest details ensure goods like chemicals or food are handled safely.
Each country’s customs may require additional fields (such as Harmonized System codes or customs tariff numbers), but the above elements form the core of most shipping manifests. Together, these details allow port authorities and carriers to cross-check the cargo against invoices, packing lists, and B/Ls, preventing discrepancies that could otherwise lead to fines or confusion.
It’s important to distinguish a shipping manifest from a Bill of Lading (B/L) – these terms can be confusing, but refer to different documents:
A Shipping Manifest is a summary document for the entire vessel or transport unit. It lists all cargo onboard and is mainly used by carriers and customs for operational and regulatory purposes. The manifest “provides a summary of all the goods carried, mainly for regulatory, customs, and internal tracking purposes”. It has no direct legal power over ownership of goods; instead, it helps ensure everything is declared.
A Bill of Lading is a legal contract between the shipper and the carrier for a specific shipment (consignment). It serves as a receipt that the carrier received certain goods in good order, and it acts as a document of title to those goods. Each separate shipment has its own Bill of Lading. The B/L outlines the terms and conditions of carriage, payment details (like freight prepaid or collect), and can be used by banks in trade financing.
In practice, carriers compile the manifest by collecting the information from all the individual bills of lading on board. For example, if a ship carries ten different container shipments, each will have its own B/L. The manifest will list those ten B/L numbers and summarize the cargo in each, so customs and port staff see one consolidated document.
| Feature | Shipping Manifest | Bill of Lading (B/L) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Purpose | Inventory of all cargo on the vessel for customs and tracking. | Legal contract of carriage for one shipment (receipt and title). |
| Content | General cargo details (description, weight, count). No legal terms. | Specific shipment details (marks, numbers, terms of shipment, payment terms). |
| Issued By | Carrier or shipping agent before departure, covering all goods. | Carrier to shipper (or shipper’s agent) after loading, covering one consignment. |
| Legal Authority | Informational (for customs/carriers); not a contract. | Legally binding contract and document of title. |
In summary: The manifest is a high-level overview, an operational summary used by the carrier and customs. The bill of lading is a detailed, legally enforceable document for individual shipments. Both are essential: the B/L governs the legal transfer of cargo, and the manifest ensures the entire load is documented and declared to authorities.
There are several categories of shipping manifests, each designed for particular kinds of cargo or regulatory requirements. The most common types include:
Cargo (Freight) Manifest: This is the standard manifest for general goods. It provides detailed information about all general cargo onboard, including routes, shipper/consignee names, and a description and quantity of each item. (Some logistics sources use “cargo manifest” and “freight manifest” interchangeably; the difference is that a freight manifest may also list the freight charges for each shipment.)
Import General Manifest (IGM): Required by customs in the destination country. The IGM lists all import cargo on the vessel and is filed by the carrier or customs broker upon arrival. For instance, in many ports, it must be submitted within 24 hours of the ship’s arrival. No goods can be unloaded until the IGM is cleared, ensuring proper duties and inspections.
Export General Manifest (EGM): The counterpart to the IGM for exports. It details all outbound cargo at the departure port. The EGM must accurately list every shipment leaving the country, so export customs officers can verify that the cargo matches the declared shipments. (In practice, carriers often prepare an export manifest that is checked by customs before departure.)
Container Manifest: Used when cargo is loaded in containers. Each container on the ship has a manifest entry. The container manifest specifies the container number, seal number, and details of what is inside, along with the loading sequence. This helps handlers know how to unpack containers and ensures each container’s contents are documented.
Dangerous Cargo (Hazardous Material) Manifest: Required for shipments of hazardous materials (HAZMAT). This manifest lists any dangerous goods on board and includes safety information and handling instructions. It must be easily accessible to emergency crews and port authorities. In the U.S., for example, dangerous cargo manifests are overseen by the Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard.
Out-of-Gauge (OOG) Manifest: For oversized, overweight, or unusually shaped cargo that doesn’t fit in a standard container. The OOG manifest provides a detailed description, exact dimensions, weight, center of gravity, and special loading/unloading instructions (often with diagrams or notes about lifting points). This ensures that the crew handles such cargo correctly and safely.
Reefer (Refrigerated) Manifest: Applied to temperature-controlled cargo. The reefer manifest lists all refrigerated containers on the vessel and specifies required temperature and humidity settings. For example, shipments of food or medical supplies that require cooling must have their storage conditions recorded. If the reefer manifest details are not followed, the goods could spoil during transit.
Each manifest type serves a specific purpose in the supply chain. Using the correct manifest ensures that customs and port authorities have exactly the information they need, whether it’s general cargo quantities, hazardous item details, or reefer settings. Overall, these various manifests make customs clearance and cargo handling faster, safer, and more reliable.
Sometimes information on a manifest must be corrected after it’s been filed. Maybe the wrong quantity was entered, or a last-minute change to the cargo occurred. Changing a manifest is possible, but the process has strict rules:
Act Quickly: Contact your shipping line or freight forwarder as soon as you discover an error. In most countries, any correction must be filed before the ship arrives at the destination port.
Use a Manifest Corrector: Many shipping authorities allow a formal “manifest corrector” document or an online correction form. This amendment must be submitted through the carrier’s agent or customs portal while the ship is still en route. For example, in U.S. ports, a manifest is considered locked 72 hours after departure, so changes later on require this special corrective process.
Expect Penalties: Correcting a manifest often incurs fees or fines. Customs agencies may charge monetary penalties for amendments because they impose extra work. In addition, if a correction affects customs duties (by changing item descriptions or HS codes), the authorities might reject the change.
Verify Before Filing: The best approach is to double-check all manifest details before submission. Discrepancies (for instance, if an item is on the manifest but not actually on board) are costly. If an item is removed at the last minute without updating the manifest, you could end up paying for goods you didn’t ship.
In short, while it is technically possible to update a shipping manifest after filing, it must be done carefully and quickly, following the carrier’s and port’s procedures. Late changes are usually penalized, so accurate initial filings are the safest strategy.
At DR Trans, we make sure your shipping manifests and related documents are handled correctly for every route and mode of transport. Whether you ship by sea to North America or South America, by China-Europe rail to Russia or Belarus, by air freight, or by international truck (with our TIR certification), our logistics experts prepare and review all paperwork. We follow exactly the rules of each country’s customs: for example, filing Import or Export General Manifests (IGM/EGM) on time and making sure all cargo is accurately described.
As a registered carrier and customs broker, DR Trans treats the shipping manifest as our responsibility. We confirm that every product description, weight, and handling instruction is correct before loading. If you need to amend a manifest, we handle the process with the shipping line and authorities to minimize delays. Our goal is a seamless export/import experience: by managing your manifest and bills of lading professionally, we help you avoid costly mistakes and speed up customs clearance. With DR Trans on your side, you can trust that your shipments – whether air cargo, ocean freight, China-Europe rail, or road transport – move efficiently with the right manifest documentation in place.
IPv6 network supported