When it comes to the shipping manifest, it serves as a fundamental supporting document that comprehensively details all the contents of a shipment. The information it holds is indispensable for the transportation process from one location to another. This implies that this paperwork plays a crucial role in the movement of cargo among ports, warehouses, and various parties involved in the shipping chain.
The Purpose of a Shipping Manifest
A shipping manifest is of great significance for the following reasons:
- Customs Clearance: It furnishes essential details required for customs clearance. Failure to present accurate details that align with the actual cargo can lead to legal penalties.
- Efficient Goods Movement: A well – prepared shipping manifest enables the swift transportation of goods without any hold – ups.
- Proper Handling Instructions: In cases where products are fragile, if special handling instructions are not indicated, the carrier may handle them as regular items. This can result in damage, and the importer may end up bearing the costs.
- Supply Chain Management: It aids in the overall management of the supply chain by facilitating the tracking of cargo during loading, unloading, and warehousing.
Contents of the Shipping Manifest
The contents of the shipping manifest are complemented by the bill of lading. Here is the information typically included:
- Cargo Description: One must specify the details of the goods being shipped, such as the name, description, and quantities of the items.
- Dimensions and Weight: The length, width, and height of the cargo need to be noted on the manifest. Additionally, the total weight and volume should also be part of this document.
- Vessel Details: This includes information about the vessel, like its registration ID, name, operator, and the flag it sails under.
- Container Information: The size, number, and type of the container housing the cargo should be mentioned in this section.
- Origin Details: The place where the goods are manufactured and readied for departure, i.e., the origin, must have its exact address specified.
- Arrival Information: It designates the arrival port, the final destination, and the delivery date.
- Shipper, Carrier, and Consignee Details: All the contact details of the seller, carrier, and the recipient must be stated on the manifest.
- Shipping Method and Cost: The chosen shipping method and its associated cost need to be recorded on this document.
- Booking Number: This is the reference number for the space reserved on the ship for the cargo.
- Customs Details: The manifest must incorporate the information necessary for customs clearance.
- BOL Number: It is the unique identifier number for the shipment, commonly used for tracking purposes.
- Handling Guidelines: If there are any specific instructions regarding the handling of the goods, they must be clearly stated on the manifest.
An Example of a Shipping Manifest
To better understand how a shipping manifest looks, consider a general example. Through an image of a typical shipping manifest, one can observe almost all the elements described above. This visual representation provides a clear idea of the layout and information presented in such a document.
Six Types of Shipping Manifests
Shipping manifests are classified into different types based on the nature of the goods being transported. The following are commonly used in the shipping industry:
- Cargo & Freight Manifest: The cargo manifest is used to list the details of general cargo, including all the standard information along with the freight class. Although cargo and freight manifests are often regarded as the same, there is a minor difference. The freight manifest also includes the cost of freight for each shipment, which the cargo manifest does not. It is particularly useful when a single shipping vehicle has multiple consignments destined for different locations, as each batch of cargo may vary in weight, cost, and final delivery point.
- Reefer Manifest: When a refrigerated container is used to ship cargo, such as pharmaceutical products, laboratory chemicals, biological specimens, and perishable items, a reefer manifest is required. This is because a reefer container has a temperature – control system tailored to the nature of the product. The manifest must detail the temperature range and other handling requirements for the goods.
- Out – of – Gauge Manifest: An out – of – gauge (OOG) manifest comes into play when the goods to be transported do not fit into a standard – size container. Consequently, an OOC container is used for the cargo. This type of manifest is mostly used for items like industrial equipment, heavy machinery, and large vehicles.
- Hazardous or Dangerous Cargo Manifest: When transporting goods in the HAZMAT category, a dangerous cargo manifest is essential. This manifest includes safety precautions and handling instructions. Understanding the type of hazardous material is crucial to ensure safe transportation.
- Container Manifest: When multiple containers are used to move specific cargo, a container manifest must be filled out. It primarily contains details of each individual container, such as the seal number and the container number.
- EGM & IGM Manifest: EGM stands for Export General Manifest, and IGM refers to Import General Manifest. These two documents are necessary for international transportation. Accurate details must be provided in them, as they need to be verified at the departure and arrival ports before the export and import processes.
FAQs
Who Needs a Shipping Manifest?
Shipping agencies or carriers are responsible for creating this document. Customs authorities, the product receiver, and warehouse management all require it for subsequent processing.
What is The Difference Between a Shipping Manifest And a Bill of Lading?
The key difference is that the bill of lading is a legal contract between the carrier and the shipper. In contrast, the shipping manifest is not an agreement but rather provides details of the consignment on specific vehicles.
How To Generate Shipping Manifest?
To create a shipping manifest, first, gather all the information that should be included on it. Then, cross – check and verify the details against the actual shipment. Fill out the information in the relevant form and send it to your business partner and the customs authorities.
What Are The Common Challenges in The Creation of Shipping Manifest?
The most prevalent challenge is the entry of inaccurate details due to the manual creation of the manifest. To minimize this human error, it is advisable to use fulfillment software to automate the shipping manifest generation process.
What Happens If There’s a Mistake on a Shipping Manifest?
Even a minor error on the shipping manifest can first cause a delay in the shipment. The consignment will be held up for further inspection to cross – check the details with the actual cargo. Moreover, providing misleading information can result in fines imposed by the customs authorities.
Final Note
In this article, we have endeavored to explain all aspects of the shipping manifest. You should now have a clear understanding of what a shipping manifest is, its main types, and its purpose in the shipping process. However, if you have any further questions, feel free to seek clarification. If you plan to ship products from one place to another with proper documentation, the knowledge shared here can guide you through the process.