Keep parcels moving with the right manifest
A simple step that keeps parcels moving smoothly, tracking reliable, and customers informed.
Keep parcels moving with the right manifest
A simple step that keeps parcels moving smoothly, tracking reliable, and customers informed.
Why manifests matter
A manifest plays a big role in keeping parcels moving smoothly through our network. It’s the digital record that tells us what you’re sending, where it’s going, and how it should be handled. When it’s accurate and sent on time, everything works better, and the result is a smoother delivery experience - for you and your customers.
Keeps invoices accurate
Adjustments are minimised.
Reduces delivery delays
Parcels are sorted correctly.
Provides reliable tracking
Customers stay informed with notifications.
Less follow-up queries
Improves delivery performance for customers.
What’s a Missing Manifest Alert?
If we don’t receive a manifest, we’ll send you a Missing Manifest Alert via email. If you receive an alert, you’ll need to send the manifest within 48 hours of receiving the email.
If we then don’t receive the manifest, it creates extra work behind the scenes to create a manual manifest and can lead to invoice adjustments if details don’t match what’s been sent, extra manual handling, and sorting errors. This increases the chance of tracking updates for you and your customers being delayed or missing, parcels arriving later than expected, and more queries from your customers.
To avoid this, the best time to send your manifest is before parcels are picked up or dropped off.
Missing Manifest Surcharge
On 1 July 2026 we are introducing a Missing Manifest Surcharge when parcels are sent using electronic ticketing, and the accompanying data (commonly known as a parcel manifest) is not supplied at time of sending or within 48 hours of an alert being sent. The Surcharge does not apply to parcels sent using the eShip sending platform or our Shipping APIs.
We know things sometimes get missed. However, to keep our network operating efficiently parcels need to include the correct electronic data at the time of sending. When items fall outside of this requirement, they cannot move efficiently through our network. They require extra manual handling and processing time, and can lead to sorting errors, and invoice adjustments if details don’t match. These activities create additional operational costs.
The Surcharge helps to recover some of the cost of processing non-compliant items. It’s avoidable with compliant sending.
Need help with manifests?
If you use our e-Ship platform or Shipping APIs, you don’t need to create manifests - these are generated automatically.
Your Business Manager can help check whether your manifests are being received or if any are missing. You can check things by reviewing your system scripts, recent system upgrades, or any changes to your API/EDI configuration.
Frequently asked questions
Your Business Manager can help with this. They’re able to check whether we’ve received your manifests and let you know if any have been recorded as missing.
Yes – it’s a good idea for you to do a quick check that your manifests accurately record what you intend them to. This might include reviewing your system scripts, recent system upgrades, or any changes to your API/EDI configuration.
It means things work better all round. Your invoices are accurate, parcels are sorted correctly and delivered right the first time, and tracking information can be relied on. With smoother processing and better visibility end-to-end, delivery delays are minimised, parcel notifications are more accurate, and your customers stay informed every step of the way. The result will be fewer complaints, and a more reliable, seamless delivery experience for your customers.
When manifest data is missing or incorrect, it creates extra work behind the scenes and can affect how smoothly your parcels move through our network.
It can lead to invoice adjustments if details don’t match what’s been sent, extra manual handling, and sorting errors. This increases the chance of tracking updates being delayed or missing, parcels arriving later than expected, and more queries from your customers.
The Surcharge helps to recover some of the cost of processing non-compliant items.
To keep our network operating efficiently and safely, parcels need to include the correct electronic data at the time of sending. When items fall outside of this requirement, they cannot move efficiently through our network. They require extra manual handling and processing time, and can lead to sorting errors, and invoice adjustments if details don’t match. These activities create additional operational costs.
Yes, it’s avoidable with compliant sending.
No, manifests are created automatically when using eShip or Shipping APIs.
The Surcharge does not apply to parcels sent using the eShip sending platform or our Shipping APIs or customers using prepaid tickets and bags.