How to Schedule an Inbound Dock Appointment Through OpenDock

For more information on Manifest's Inbound Receiving Information, Policies, and Compliance, click here.

All Inbound PO deliveries of inventory must be scheduled through OpenDock at least two (2) business days prior to delivery at Manifest's warehouse.

Having pre-scheduled appointments sets Manifest's inbound team, and our brands, up for success so that we can process inbound to available stock in a timely manner. This is critical to us for a few reasons!

1. Labor planning: to ensure we have the right personnel scheduled for the day of PO delivery

2. Inventory slotting: to ensure we have the right number of open slots for inventory "putaway" once delivered

3. Physical capacity: to ensure the docks are not overloaded with more deliveries than we can accommodate at one time

IMPORTANT:

• Inbound PO deliveries without a valid appointment or with incomplete appointment information may be:

  • Turned away, requiring a new, valid appointment for re-delivery

  • Subject to non-compliance fees - see link here for more information

  • Subject t additional processing time - see link here for more information

• For deliveries of floor-loaded containers made during the months of May through September, deliveries must arrive before 10:00 am that business day to protect our staff from extreme heat conditions. 

First time using OpenDock — create an account

1. Go to opendock.com and click Register to create an account.

2. Enter your first name, last name, email address, and create a password.

3. Click Register.

4. You will receive a verification email — click the activation link to verify your account.

5. Log in with the password you created.

6. Once logged in, search for Manifest in the search bar.

7. Select Manifest Commerce from the results and click Save and Start Using OpenDock.

How to book an inbound appointment

1. From your OpenDock dashboard, select the Manifest warehouse — 912 Flustern Road, Suite 200, San Marcos, TX. Click Book Appointment.

2. Select the correct load type for the physical disposition of your inventory:

   1. 45' High Cube Container (240 min) – INBOUND (Floor Loaded)

   2. Floor Loaded - 40' Container (240 min) – INBOUND (Floor Loaded)

   3. Floor Loaded - 20' Container (240 min) – INBOUND (Floor Loaded)

   4. Palletized - 53' Container (120 min) – INBOUND

   5. Palletized - 20' Container (60 min) - INBOUND

   6. Palletized - 40' Container (120 min) - INBOUND

   7. PTL (60 min) - INBOUND

   8. Small Parcel (30 min) - INBOUND

3. Select your preferred date and time within Manifest's dock hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00am–12:00pm CT and 1:00pm–4:00pm CT).

4. Complete the appointment details as follows:

   1. Reference Number: enter your ShipHero, RetailReady, or Shopify order ID

   2. Merchant/Vendor: enter your brand name.

   3. Enter the number of pallets and cartons.

   4. Enter the PRO or tracking number

   5. Add your freight forwarder or carrier email in the CC field to copy them on the appointment confirmation

5. Upload a copy of the BOL as an attachment — this is required.

   1. *Appointments without a BOL attached may result in Manifest being unable to identify the inbound shipment and may result in the forwarder being turned away

6. Add any relevant appointment notes.

7. Click Confirm Booking

After booking

Your appointment will show a status of Scheduled.

For outbound pickup appointments, see How to Schedule an Outbound Dock Appointment Through OpenDock. For an overview of Inbound Receiving Information, Policies, and Compliance, click here.

How to engage your freight forwarder to use OpenDock to schedule

Some brands directly book OpenDock appointments themselves. Others enlist the help of their freight forwarders to book based on estimated delivery.

The below is a suggested email template a brand can use to engage their freight forwarder on booking OpenDock appointments successfully:

Subject: Action Needed: Please Schedule Our Manifest Receiving Appointment in OpenDock

Hi [Freight Forwarder Name],

For our inbound shipment to Manifest's fulfillment center, we need a receiving appointment scheduled through OpenDock before the delivery arrives. All Manifest deliveries require this — shipments without a confirmed appointment will be turned away by Manifest.

Please use the following instructions to create the appointment:

How to Schedule an Inbound Dock Appointment through OpenDock

Here is the information you'll need from us to complete the booking:

• ShipHero PO Number: [YOUR PO NUMBER]

• Merchant Name: [YOUR BRAND NAME]

• Merchant Email: [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]

Appointments must be scheduled at least two business days in advance. Please let me know once it's booked or if you have any questions.

Thank you,

[Your Name]

[Your Brand]

Loom Video Walkthrough - How to Schedule an Inbound Receiving Appointment Through OpenDock