Dangerous Goods Manifest and Notification to Port Authorities
SOLAS VII/4.2 governs dangerous-goods documentation and the copy available before departure; pre-arrival notification, timing, channels and reporting party instead depend on the individual port regime.
Operational Explanation
Keep three levels distinct: SOLAS/IMDG special list/manifest or detailed stowage plan on board; copy available before departure to the person or organisation designated by the port State; any pre-arrival notification under regional/national law and port-call instructions. FAL Form 7 is the standard Dangerous Goods Manifest form, not a worldwide deadline.
Regulatory Reference
SOLAS VII/4.2 and the IMDG Code: special list/manifest or detailed stowage plan and a copy made available before departure to the entity designated by the port State. FAL Form 7: standard form. Pre-arrival deadline, channel and reporting party come from the applicable port regime.
Applicable edition on 15 September 2026: IMDG 2024, Amendment 42-24, mandatory from 1 January 2026. Distinguish consignment documentation, the shipboard summary document and authority notification. IMO: IMDG Code.
Under the FAL regime declarations are submitted electronically; paper forms may be required in exceptional circumstances. FAL 7 identifies the Dangerous Goods Manifest: it does not mean a paper or PDF form must always be submitted. Check the data and channel required by the port system. IMO: FAL declarations.
Scope of Application
Ships carrying dangerous goods in packaged form for SOLAS/IMDG documentation. For each port call separately check regional/national/local system, deadline and responsible party: Company, agent, Master or another party under that regime.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Prepare special list/manifest or detailed stowage plan with identity, classification and location of goods.
- Keep it on board and make a copy available before departure to the entity designated by the port-State authority.
- For the call check port requirements, reporting system, channel, deadline and reporting party.
- Use FAL Form 7 where required or accepted without inferring a universal deadline.
- Update documents and notifications for every actual cargo change.
Practical Example
EU example: for a ship coming from a non-EU port, Article 13 of Directive 2002/59/EC requires the operator, agent or master to notify no later than departure from the loading port, or as soon as the destination is known if unavailable at departure. A generic submission before arrival is insufficient. Check scope, any exemptions and national instructions. Directive 2002/59/EC, Article 13.
What Typically Goes Wrong
Attributing a worldwide 24–96 hour pre-arrival notice to SOLAS or presuming the Master is always the reporting party.
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Manifest compiled on the basis of initial declarations without being updated after changes to the stowage plan | Incorrect information on the actual position of the dangerous goods in an emergency | Update the manifest whenever the stowage plan changes, not only at departure |
| Notification to port authorities transmitted later than the required deadline | PSC deficiency and possible local administrative penalties | Check the specific notification deadlines of each jurisdiction well in advance |
| Manifest not immediately available on board at the time of an inspection or emergency | Delay in the emergency response and PSC deficiency | Keep the manifest in a location known to the entire watchkeeping crew, in an easily consultable format |
What the PSCO Checks
Operational Tips
- Distinguish individual consignment documentation from the shipboard special list/manifest or detailed stowage plan; an accepted detailed plan may replace the list or manifest. The summary covers dangerous goods and marine pollutants, not all ordinary cargo.
- Check the specific notification requirements of each port of call: deadlines and formats vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
- Keep the manifest in a format that can be consulted quickly even in emergency conditions, not only as an archived digital file.
Preparation checklist
- Complete manifest/list or stowage plan on board
- Copy available before departure to designated entity
- Port reporting system and deadline checked
- Reporting party identified by applicable regime
- FAL Form 7 used as a form, not as source of universal deadline
FAQ
Related Topics
Last substantive revision of this page: 16 September 2026 · page fingerprint 13be9178d9f8