Manifest

A manifest is the carrier’s complete list of cargo carried on a voyage, filed with customs and port authorities at loading and arrival. The cargo manifest itemizes each consignment by bill of lading number, shipper, consignee, notify party, marks, package count, description, weight, and measurement, and it is the legal declaration of what is aboard. Customs use it for advance security screening: the US requires it 24 hours before loading under the Importer Security Filing and 24-Hour rule, and the EU under ICS2. It differs from the container manifest, which lists boxes for terminal planning, and the stowage plan, which fixes their positions.