Authorities and agents need a complete list of what is on board. A manifest is a document enumerating the cargo, and sometimes passengers and stores, carried by a ship on a particular voyage.

The cargo manifest supports customs clearance, port state control, and the carrier’s own tracking. It is prepared from bills of lading and booking data. Dangerous goods appear on a separate or specially marked dangerous goods manifest. Accuracy is essential; discrepancies invite inspection and delay.

Electronic manifests submitted before arrival speed clearance in many ports. The master and agent remain responsible for the truth of the declaration. A clear, complete manifest is one of the first documents requested when a ship enters port.

• Document listing cargo (and often passengers) on board
• Used for customs, security, and operational control
• Prepared from bills of lading and bookings
• Must be accurate to avoid delays and penalties