FedEx "Manifest not available" error [Solution]

When manifesting FedEx shipments, you may encounter the error "Manifest not available". This issue can be caused by several factors, most commonly related to the specific FedEx service being used, the timing of the manifest request, or the characteristics of the shipments themselves.

To troubleshoot this error, first identify which FedEx service requires a manifest and then review the common causes below.

Understanding Manifest Requirements by FedEx Service

Different FedEx services have different rules for end-of-day manifesting. Refer to this table for a quick summary:

FEDEX SERVICE	REQUIRES PAPER MANIFEST?
Express
Ground
International DirectDistribution (IPD)

Below are the most common causes for the error in detail.

Cause 1: You have not closed the manifest on the same day you generated the labels

For services that require a manifest (like FedEx Ground and FedEx IPD), you must generate the manifest on the same calendar day that the labels were created. FedEx auto-closes the daily processed orders at the end of the day and will not provide manifests for previous, still-open days.

Remember to manifest daily as detailed in 02 - How to manifest [Step-by-Step guide]

This is a FedEx limitation, and it is not possible to recover a paper manifest for a past day.

Cause 2: The shipments (for FedEx Ground only) do not have the required specialized service options

This cause applies specifically to FedEx Ground. FedEx only allows certain types of packages to be included on the FedEx Ground Pickup Manifest. For a shipment to be included, it must have at least one of the following specialized service options according to FedEx's criteria:

• Collect on Delivery Amount (COD Amount) 
• Declared Value greater than 100 U.S. dollars 
• 84" Oversize 
• Additional Handling 
• Acknowledgment of Delivery (A.O.D) 
• Residential 

Shipments that do not have one of these options cannot be included on the FedEx Ground Pickup Manifest, nor will they appear in any counts on it.