Shipping manifests are documents that help to track everything that’s onboard a shipping vessel. Whether you’re a shipper or simply shipping out merchandise from one place to another, this is an important part of the international freight process that you should know about and be aware of.
Manifests are a critical part of the ocean transport process and can save you a lot of money in the long run if you make sure they’re accurate. They also help to ensure that your shipments are shipped out quickly and safely.
The Manifest That’s Not Right
There are many different types of manifests out there, each with their own set of rules and requirements. It’s important to understand how these rules and requirements work so that you can choose the best option for your business and shipping needs.
Cargo Manifest
A cargo manifest shipping is an official document that’s prepared by the shipping company at the time of loading and discharge, detailing each bill of lading, the number of goods carried per bill of lading, and more. This information is then sent to customs in order to comply with regulations that govern the exportation of goods into different countries around the world.
This type of manifest can be incredibly helpful because it allows your shipping company to see exactly what items are on the ship and who they’re being sent to. They can then prepare an invoice for you accordingly.
Manifests for Air Carriers
A shipping manifest for air cargo is similar to a shipment manifest for ocean cargo but with a few minor differences. Specifically, it has to be submitted to customs in the country of import and has to include all the necessary details for the inspection of the shipment.
It’s also important to note that a manifest for air cargo isn’t automatically generated by your shipping company, it has to be created manually. This is because your carrier may require that it be done before they can pick up the package.
Manifests Are Not Completely Correct
Even with the best possible intentions, there’s a good chance that your manifest might have mistakes in it. This can occur for a variety of reasons, but it usually happens when you’re adding or subtracting items from the shipment at the last minute.
These mistakes are referred to as manifested-not-shipped errors and they’re a big deal. Not only will you have to pay for a new delivery, but you could also have to re-order an item because it’s no longer available in your warehouse.
If you’re not sure what kind of manifest you need for your shipments, we recommend using Shippo. With our platform, you can create manifests that include all of your shipping labels that have been printed up to the date of generation.