Shipping manifest

What is a shipping manifest?

A shipping manifest is a comprehensive document listing all packages, cartons or pallets included in a shipment.

It is created by warehouses to verify shipments and track items, preventing incomplete shipments, inaccurate billing and improving the claims management process.

Is a shipping manifest the same as a packing manifest?

No, a packing manifest (or packing slip) details individual order contents while shipping manifests provide shipment-level summaries.

Is a shipping manifest the same as a freight manifest?

No, a shipping manifest is created by the warehouse to list all packages that have left the warehouse.

A freight manifest is created by the transport company that is moving the packages to their destination. This typically contains more information than a shipping manifest, including freight charges, tariffs and payment terms.

What does a shipping manifest document contain?

A shipping manifest document contains:

• Package counts

• Weights

• Dimensions

• Tracking numbers

• Destination information

• Content descriptions

How WMS generates shipping manifests

While shipping manifest documents can be generated manually, automated manifest systems are better as they save time and ensure all items are accounted for. Automated manifest generation can be carried out by warehouse management systems (WMS).

When the WMS prepares shipments for carrier pickup, it aggregates all packages staged for specific carriers or delivery routes. In many operations, these shipments have already been organized through  wave planning. It compiles package details into standardized manifest formats required by different carriers and transportation modes.

Carrier-specific formatting ensures manifests meet individual carrier requirements for data fields, document layouts and electronic transmission protocols.

As operatives complete packing and apply labels, the WMS captures package information including:

• Contents

• Weights from dimensioning systems

• Tracking numbers from carrier integration

• Destination details from order records