Manifest
A comprehensive document listing all cargo, passengers, or goods aboard a vehicle or vessel for a specific journey.
Full Definition
In supply chain and logistics, a manifest is an official itemised list that details the contents of a shipment—including descriptions, weights, volumes, and consignee information—used by carriers, customs authorities, and warehouse operators. Cargo manifests are legally required for international shipments and must be filed with customs agencies. Editors should be alert to the word's dual function: as a noun (a manifest) and as an adjective or verb in other contexts, which can create confusion in mixed-register documents. The term should not be confused with a packing list, which is a shipper's internal document.
Usage
Usage note: In logistics contexts, use exclusively as a noun. Flag instances where 'manifest' is used loosely as a synonym for packing list or invoice.
In Context
- "The customs broker reviewed the manifest to verify that all declared goods matched the physical consignment." — Customs clearance documentation
- "A manifest differs from a packing list in that it is the carrier's document, not the shipper's." — Import/export training manual