Manifest: the list behind a closeout load
A manifest is the list of what is in a closeout or liquidation load, usually line by line with item description, UPC or SKU, quantity, condition and a retail value. Buyers use it to price a load before they see it; its accuracy and the source of its retail values decide how far it can be trusted.
Reviewed by Tyler Kober · Updated
Key takeaways
- A manifest tells you what should be in the load; it is not a guarantee of condition.
- Check where the retail values came from; inflated retail makes every percentage look better than it is.
- UPCs are the most useful field: they let you verify products and prices exactly.
What is a manifest?
A manifest is the list of goods in a closeout load. It usually has one row per product line, with a description, quantity, condition and a retail value, and ideally the UPC or model number. Buyers use it to judge and price a load they have not seen in person.
How manifests are used in practice
A typical manifest has these columns:
| Field | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Description | What the item is |
| UPC / model / SKU | Lets you verify the exact product and its price |
| Quantity | How many units of that line |
| Condition | New, shelf pull, return, salvage |
| Unit retail and extended retail | Basis for "% of retail" pricing |
| Pallet ID | Which pallet the line sits on |
Buyers sort the manifest by extended retail to find the lines that drive value, check the UPCs, discount the lines they cannot sell, and estimate what the whole load will bring. Sellers who build a clean manifest usually get sharper offers, because the buyer has less to guess.
Example
A seller offers a truckload of housewares with a manifest of a few hundred lines. The buyer sorts it, finds that a handful of lines make up most of the retail value, checks those UPCs, and discovers two are an older model with a lower current price. The buyer adjusts the offer to reflect the real value of those lines rather than the manifest's retail total.
The common confusion
A manifest describes what the seller believes is in the load. It is not a condition guarantee, and its retail values can come from MSRP, a store's original ticket price or an online listing. That is why "% of retail" deals depend so heavily on the manifest. Read about MSRP and manifest accuracy and variance.
Loads sold without a list are unmanifested loads. For a step-by-step method, see how to read a liquidation manifest.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What fields should a good manifest have?
At minimum: description, quantity and condition for each line. Better: UPC or model number, SKU, brand, category, unit retail and extended retail, and which pallet each line is on. With UPCs you can check each product and its real selling price; without them you are guessing from descriptions.
How accurate are liquidation manifests?
It depends on who built it and how. A manifest scanned from the shipping system is usually close on quantities. One built from memory or a parent shipment can be far off. Ask how it was made and what happens if counts are short. Variance is normal; the size of it is what matters.
Is a manifest the same as a packing list or bill of lading?
No. A packing list shows what is in a specific shipment, carton by carton, for receiving and customs. A bill of lading is the carrier's document for the shipment as freight. A manifest in the closeout trade is a sales document listing goods and values to help a buyer price the load.
Related
Send a list or manifest and we'll come back with an offer. Approved buyers see live loads, prices and manifests. Or call +1 215 278 4122.