Shipping Manifest: What It Contains & How to Create One
A shipping manifest or shipment summary brings parties, routing, products, quantities, weights, values and references together in one record. The required format depends on who is requesting it.
Use a manifest as a consolidated shipment summary.
An internal manifest can help a shipping team review what is moving, reconcile documents, hand information to another department or retain a simple shipment record. Some carriers, customers or regulated workflows may use the term “manifest” for a more specific required record.
When the manifest is built from the same shipment data as the commercial invoice, packing list and BOL, it can also act as a quick cross-check for quantities, weights and references.
Information a manifest can include
Build the manifest from the shipment outward.
Assign the manifest or shipment number, date and route or carrier reference.
Identify the shipper, consignee, destination and any customer or internal references.
Enter package counts, descriptions, quantities, weights, values and related references.
Compare quantities and weights with the packing list, invoice or BOL before finalizing the manifest.
Choose a free generator or reusable shipping-manifest software.
If you need one quick manifest, the browser generator is the simplest option. If you prepare shipments repeatedly, Shipping Documents Pro can save recurring parties and products, duplicate prior shipments and reuse one shipment across related paperwork.
Related resources
Requirements vary by shipment, carrier, destination and transaction. Confirm any format required by a carrier, customer, broker or government agency.
Common questions
What is a shipping manifest?
A shipping manifest or shipment summary consolidates information about a shipment. The exact purpose and required fields depend on the party using it.
Is a shipping manifest the same as a packing list?
Not always. A packing list focuses on how goods are packed, while a manifest may provide a broader shipment summary that includes routing, references or totals. Requirements vary.
Can I make a shipping manifest online?
Yes. Use the free Shipping Manifest Generator for a general-purpose one-off document.
Need reusable shipping manifests?
Save shipment records and use the same data across manifests, invoices, packing lists, BOLs and other paperwork.
See Shipping Manifest Software