In foreign trade, every detail can mean the success or failure of a logistics operation. In this scenario, the Cargo Manifest plays a decisive role. But what exactly is it?
The Cargo Manifest is one of the key parts of the customs documentation, as it guarantees that the displacement of products between countries takes place securely, with trackability and within the legal regulations.
In this article, we will show how it works, what information it gathers and its importance for companies working with the import and export of foods in Latin America.
What is the Cargo Manifest in the transport of products?
The Cargo Manifest (CM) is an official document that accompanies the loads of perishable food in international transit, functioning as a standardized record of the information of the cargo.
This document is also known as Shipping Manifest, Air Manifest, or Customs Manifest, depending on the context (maritime, air, customs etc).
It contains fundamental data, such as:
- sender and recipient;
- type of goods transported;
- route and means of transport used;
- details of weight, volume and packaging;
- identification of the vehicle and of the driver.
CTD
The Cargo Manifest, in general, appears associated with the abbreviation CTD.
This is because the document also serves as a Customs Transit Declaration, i.e. an authorization that the cargo can be transported between customs areas or across borders without having to collect duty with every passage.
In practice, the CTD represents both the formalization of the transport as well as the simplification of the customs process, enabling the goods to cross countries of the Mercosur, for example, with greater agility and less bureaucracy.
The importance of Cargo Manifest for the transport of goods
From the agility in transport to the trackability of the load, the CM is fundamental for the international trade of perishable foods.
Security in logistics operations
Understanding what the CM is, it becomes clear that the document contributes directly to the security of the logistics operations. It reduces risks of going astray, guarantees that the cargo is duly registered and enables the simplified checking at the borders.
All these aspects are extremely important in the transport of perishable foods, which requires complete trackability and rigorous temperature control.
Agility in the transport
Another benefit of Cargo Manifest is the agility, as it gathers all the information on the cargo in a single document, it accelerates inspections and customs release.
For refrigerated or frozen foods, every hour saved in transit makes a difference in the preservation of the quality.
Specialized companies, such as Emergent Cold LatAm, work to optimize this process, offering solutions that make the export of food products faster and more reliable.
Regulatory compliance
The CM also serves as proof that the cargo was declared and registered correctly, avoiding legal problems, delays and even fines.
For companies in the foods sector exporting on a large scale, this aspect is extremely important in maintaining the reputation and the trust of international clients.
Control and trackability of the cargo
When we are talking about foods, tracking every stage of the movement of the cargo is essential. The CM allows the data to be recorded which helps in the monitoring of the goods from their origin through to the final destination.
Thus, it is possible to verify who transported it, where it has passed and in what conditions the goods were kept etc. This level of control not only meets the health requirements, but also reinforces the transparency for the clients and the authorities.
Regulation of international transport of cargo
The international transport of cargo is ruled by rules and multilateral agreements. In Latin America, the CTD plays a central role in this process. Countries of the Mercosur adopt the document as standard, facilitating the transit of trucks and containers across land borders.
In the foods sector, this regulation is even more critical. Perishable products have to cross borders quickly, under controlled temperature conditions, and the CM contributes to this happening without any unnecessary interruption.
Stages of issuance and completion of the Cargo Manifest
To understand what the Cargo Manifest is in practice, it is also worth understanding the general stages of its issuance and completion:
- electronic or manual completion of the official form, in multiple copies;
- inclusion of the essential information, such as sender, recipient, description of the cargo, route, vehicle and driver;
- customs record of origin, where the cargo started its transit;
- delivery of the copies corresponding to the outgoing, incoming and destination customs;
- checking and closure of transit, with validation of the manifest and final release of the cargo.
Each one of these stages is fundamental to guaranteeing that the goods arrive at their destination securely and within the legal norms.
Find out about our solutions for your transport of perishables
At Emergent Cold LatAm, we have a profound understanding of what the Cargo Manifest is and how this document is integrated into the day-to-day international logistics operations.
Our solutions offer:
- latest generation refrigerated warehouses, strategically located in metropolitan and port areas;
- refrigerated and frozen transport, with strict temperature control;
- integrated customs management, assisting with the correct issuance and completion of documents;
- full trackability of the cargo, guaranteeing transparency and reliability throughout the journey.
We combine technology, experience and infrastructure to make your international operation simpler, more secure and efficient.
Conclusion
Now you know what Cargo Manifest is, it is obvious that it is not just a bureaucratic document, but an essential resource in foreign trade.
It guarantees security, agility, compliance and trackability, essential factors for companies working in the foods sector, needing to preserve the quality of the products until their destination.
We are ready to support your company in this challenge, offering integrated warehousing, transport and customs management solutions, focused always on efficiency and reliability.
