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.
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
Example: before arrival at an EU port, the Master transmits, through the national reporting system (coordinated with SafeSeaNet), the notification of dangerous goods on board, including the IMDG class, quantity and stowage position for each container concerned.
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
- Do not confuse the Dangerous Goods Declaration (for a single shipment) with the Dangerous Goods Manifest (summary of the entire cargo on board): both are needed.
- 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: 31 August 2026 · page fingerprint f83c56959953