Manifesting

Manifesting is the process of finalizing and transmitting your shipment information to carriers. A manifest is the official record of all packages included in a pickup or drop-off, ensuring carriers know what to expect and can process shipments efficiently.

What Is a Shipping Manifest?

A manifest includes:

• Total number of packages
• Tracking numbers for each package
• Weight of each package
• Service level for each
• Origin and destination addresses
• Total shipment value

Think of it as a packing list for your carrier pickup.

Types of Manifests

SCAN Form (USPS)

• Groups multiple packages into single barcode
• Speeds up acceptance scanning
• Required for free package pickup
• Creates single scan for all items

End of Day (EOD) Manifest

• UPS, FedEx daily summary
• Closes out day’s shipping
• Transmits final data to carrier
• Triggers pickup or drop-off ready status

Bill of Lading (Freight)

• Manifest for LTL/FTL shipments
• Legal document of freight transfer
• Details all items in shipment
• Required for freight claims

Why Manifesting Matters

For shippers:

• Confirms packages entered carrier system
• Creates pickup-ready notification
• Provides batch tracking
• Reduces check-in time at drop-off

For carriers:

• Know what to expect at pickup
• Accurate package count verification
• Billing reconciliation
• Network planning

End of Day Process

Daily manifesting workflow:

1. Print labels throughout day - Create shipments as orders come in
2. Pack and stage packages - Prepare for pickup/drop-off
3. Generate manifest - Close out day’s shipments
4. Transmit to carrier - Electronic submission
5. Print manifest - Physical copy for driver

Manifest in Shipping Software

Most platforms automate manifesting:

USPS SCAN Forms

For USPS specifically:

• Free to create
• Groups up to 1,000 packages
• One scan = all packages accepted
• Valid for same-day pickup only
• Required for scheduled pickup service

Limitations:

• Can’t combine prepaid with postage-due
• Must be same origin ZIP
• Some services excluded (certain international)

Common Manifest Issues

Missing packages:

• Label printed but not manifested
• Package shipped but not scanned
• Discrepancy between count and actual

Resolution:

• Void unused labels
• Verify physical count matches
• Contact carrier for missing scans

Best Practices

1. Manifest daily - Don’t let shipments accumulate
2. Verify counts - Package count should match manifest
3. Keep copies - Retain manifests for disputes
4. Manifest before cutoff - Ensure same-day processing
5. Include all packages - Don’t partial manifest
6. Reconcile regularly - Compare manifested vs. shipped