diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/package.json b/apps/edr-freight-api/package.json
index 457786cbe..636bb7e05 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/package.json
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/package.json
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@
     "@types/supertest": "^6.0.2",
     "@types/vorpal": "^1.12.8",
     "jest": "^29.7.0",
+    "socket.io-client": "^4.8.3",
     "supertest": "^7.0.0",
     "ts-jest": "^29.2.5",
     "ts-loader": "^9.5.1",
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/backoffice/backoffice.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/backoffice/backoffice.service.ts
index 7c7805b28..d49cc304e 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/backoffice/backoffice.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/backoffice/backoffice.service.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,11 @@ import { hashPassword } from "@tria-plc/api-common/utils/argon";
 import { EUserStatus } from "@tria-plc/api-common/utils/enums/user.enum";
 import { DataSource, EntityManager, In, IsNull, Repository } from "typeorm";
 
-import { Employee, Organization, UserCredential } from "@tria-plc/iamapi-common";
+// Subpath imports (not the package root) so ts-jest can resolve them when this
+// file lands in a spec's compile graph via the notification recipients chain.
+import { Employee } from "@tria-plc/iamapi-common/entities/iam/organization-structure/employee.entity";
+import { Organization } from "@tria-plc/iamapi-common/entities/iam/organization-structure/organization.entity";
+import { UserCredential } from "@tria-plc/iamapi-common/entities/iam/user/user-credential.entity";
 import { Role } from "@tria-plc/iamapi-common/entities/iam/user/role.entity";
 import { UserRole } from "@tria-plc/iamapi-common/entities/iam/user/user-role.entity";
 import { User } from "@tria-plc/iamapi-common/entities/iam/user/user.entity";
@@ -40,6 +44,21 @@ export class BackofficeService {
     private readonly dataSource: DataSource,
   ) {}
 
+  /**
+   * IAM user ids of every current employee across all organizations — used by
+   * the notification recipients resolver's `allBackoffice` selector.
+   */
+  async getAllCurrentEmployeeUserIds(): Promise<string[]> {
+    const employees = await this.employeeRepository.find({
+      where: { isCurrent: true },
+    });
+    return [
+      ...new Set(
+        employees.map((e) => e.userId).filter((id): id is string => Boolean(id)),
+      ),
+    ];
+  }
+
   async createOrganizationUser(
     organizationId: string,
     dto: CreateOrganizationUserDto,
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-lifecycle-notifier.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-lifecycle-notifier.service.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a4546e301
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-lifecycle-notifier.service.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,307 @@
+import { Injectable, Logger } from '@nestjs/common';
+import {
+  NotificationAudience,
+  NotificationType,
+  NotifyInput,
+} from '@edr/types';
+
+import { Booking } from './entities/booking.entity';
+import { NotificationsService } from '../notifications/notifications.service';
+import { NotificationInboxService } from '../notification-inbox/notification-inbox.service';
+
+/**
+ * Customer + staff notifications for the booking lifecycle: review, clearance
+ * and operation flow. Every customer event fans out over SMS + email (direct)
+ * and a persisted in-app notification deep-linking to the booking detail page;
+ * staff events land in the backoffice inbox. All sends are fire-and-forget and
+ * never throw — a notification failure must not break a booking transition.
+ *
+ * NOTE: the batch/payment-window notifications (pay-now, allocated, expired,
+ * displaced) are handled separately by {@link BookingNotifierService} in
+ * train-scheduling.
+ */
+@Injectable()
+export class BookingLifecycleNotifierService {
+  private readonly logger = new Logger(BookingLifecycleNotifierService.name);
+
+  constructor(
+    private readonly notifications: NotificationsService,
+    private readonly inbox: NotificationInboxService,
+  ) {}
+
+  private ref(b: Booking): string {
+    return `${b.reference}${b.isGovernment ? ' (gov)' : ''}`;
+  }
+
+  /** Send SMS + email to the booking's company contact; log-only on failure. */
+  private async notifyContact(
+    b: Booking,
+    message: string,
+    logLabel: string,
+  ): Promise<void> {
+    this.logger.log(`${logLabel} — ${this.ref(b)}`);
+    const phone = b.company?.contactPersonPhone ?? b.company?.phone ?? null;
+    const email = b.company?.email ?? b.company?.generalManagerEmail ?? null;
+
+    if (phone) {
+      try {
+        await this.notifications.directSend('sms', phone, message);
+      } catch (err) {
+        this.logger.warn(`SMS failed for ${this.ref(b)}: ${(err as Error).message}`);
+      }
+    }
+    if (email) {
+      try {
+        await this.notifications.directSend('email', email, message);
+      } catch (err) {
+        this.logger.warn(`Email failed for ${this.ref(b)}: ${(err as Error).message}`);
+      }
+    }
+    if (!phone && !email) {
+      this.logger.warn(`No contact on file for ${this.ref(b)} — notification not sent`);
+    }
+  }
+
+  /** Persist + push an in-app item to all portal users of the booking's company. */
+  private inApp(
+    b: Booking,
+    title: string,
+    body: string,
+    overrides: Partial<NotifyInput> = {},
+  ): void {
+    if (!b.companyId) return; // government/unlinked bookings have no portal users
+    void this.inbox.notify({
+      recipients: { companyId: b.companyId },
+      audience: NotificationAudience.PORTAL,
+      type: NotificationType.BOOKING_STATUS,
+      title,
+      body,
+      link: `/bookings/${b.id}`,
+      data: { bookingId: b.id, reference: b.reference },
+      ...overrides,
+    });
+  }
+
+  /** Persist + push an in-app item to every backoffice staff user. */
+  private inAppStaff(
+    b: Booking,
+    title: string,
+    body: string,
+    overrides: Partial<NotifyInput> = {},
+  ): void {
+    void this.inbox.notify({
+      recipients: { allBackoffice: true },
+      audience: NotificationAudience.BACKOFFICE,
+      type: NotificationType.REQUEST_SUBMITTED,
+      title,
+      body,
+      link: `/dashboard/booking-requests/${b.id}`,
+      data: { bookingId: b.id, reference: b.reference },
+      ...overrides,
+    });
+  }
+
+  // ── Customer-facing lifecycle events ───────────────────────────────────────
+
+  /** Line staff accepted intake → booking is under approval. */
+  accepted(b: Booking): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Your booking ${b.reference} has been accepted and is now under approval. ` +
+      `We will notify you once it is approved.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'ACCEPTED');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Booking accepted', msg);
+  }
+
+  /** All approval steps complete → contract generated, ready for customer to sign. */
+  approved(b: Booking): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Your booking ${b.reference} has been approved. ` +
+      `Please review and sign your contract from the portal.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'APPROVED');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Booking approved', msg);
+  }
+
+  /** Staff rejected the booking (intake or approval step). */
+  rejected(b: Booking, reason: string): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Your booking ${b.reference} was rejected. Reason: ${reason}. ` +
+      `Please contact us for details.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'REJECTED');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Booking rejected', msg);
+  }
+
+  /** Staff requested changes before approval. */
+  changesRequested(b: Booking, note: string): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Changes were requested on your booking ${b.reference}: ${note}. ` +
+      `Please update and resubmit from the portal.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'CHANGES REQUESTED');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Booking changes requested', msg);
+  }
+
+  /** A clearance document was queried and needs the customer to re-upload. */
+  documentQueried(b: Booking, fileKey: string, note: string): void {
+    const msg =
+      `A clearance document on booking ${b.reference} needs attention: "${fileKey}". ` +
+      `${note}. Please re-upload from the portal.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'DOCUMENT QUERIED');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Document queried', msg, {
+      type: NotificationType.DOCUMENT_ACTION,
+    });
+  }
+
+  /** Clearance finalized → customer can proceed to request operation. */
+  clearanceReady(b: Booking): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Clearance for booking ${b.reference} is complete. ` +
+      `You can now proceed to request operation from the portal.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'CLEARANCE READY');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Clearance complete', msg, {
+      type: NotificationType.CLEARANCE_DECISION,
+    });
+  }
+
+  /** Operations returned the operation request for changes. */
+  operationChangesRequested(b: Booking, note: string): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Your operation request for booking ${b.reference} needs changes: ${note}. ` +
+      `Please update and resubmit from the portal.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'OPERATION CHANGES REQUESTED');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Operation request needs changes', msg);
+  }
+
+  /** Operation accepted → invoice ready; await payment / booking window. */
+  operationAccepted(b: Booking): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Your operation request for booking ${b.reference} has been accepted. ` +
+      `An invoice has been prepared — watch for the payment window to secure your slot.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'OPERATION ACCEPTED');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Operation request accepted', msg);
+  }
+
+  /** Shipment started → in transit. */
+  inTransit(b: Booking): void {
+    const msg = `Your shipment for booking ${b.reference} is now in transit.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'IN TRANSIT');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Shipment in transit', msg);
+  }
+
+  /** Shipment delivered → completed. */
+  completed(b: Booking): void {
+    const msg = `Your shipment for booking ${b.reference} has been delivered. Thank you.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'COMPLETED');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Shipment delivered', msg);
+  }
+
+  /** Booking cancelled. */
+  cancelled(b: Booking, reason: string): void {
+    const msg = `Your booking ${b.reference} has been cancelled. Reason: ${reason}.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'CANCELLED');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Booking cancelled', msg);
+  }
+
+  // ── Clearance milestones needing customer action ──────────────────────────
+
+  /** GL advised duty & tax — the customer must pay and upload the slip. */
+  dutyAdvised(b: Booking, amount: number, currency: string): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Duty & tax of ${amount} ${currency} has been advised for booking ${b.reference}. ` +
+      `Please pay and upload the payment slip from the portal.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'DUTY ADVISED');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Duty & tax advised', msg, {
+      type: NotificationType.INVOICE_ISSUED,
+    });
+  }
+
+  /** GL advised the post-arrival additional duty round (import). */
+  secondDutyAdvised(b: Booking, amount: number, currency: string): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Additional duty & tax of ${amount} ${currency} has been advised for booking ${b.reference}. ` +
+      `Please pay and upload the payment slip from the portal.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'SECOND DUTY ADVISED');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Additional duty & tax advised', msg, {
+      type: NotificationType.INVOICE_ISSUED,
+    });
+  }
+
+  /** GL raised the final (post-offload) invoice — customer pays + uploads slip. */
+  finalInvoiceCreated(b: Booking, amount: number, currency: string): void {
+    const msg =
+      `A final invoice of ${amount} ${currency} has been issued for booking ${b.reference}. ` +
+      `Please pay and upload the payment slip from the portal.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'FINAL INVOICE');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Final invoice issued', msg, {
+      type: NotificationType.INVOICE_ISSUED,
+    });
+  }
+
+  /** GL confirmed the final-invoice payment slip. */
+  finalInvoicePaid(b: Booking): void {
+    const msg = `Your final invoice payment for booking ${b.reference} has been confirmed. Thank you.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'FINAL INVOICE PAID');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Final invoice paid', msg, {
+      type: NotificationType.INVOICE_ISSUED,
+    });
+  }
+
+  // ── Staff-facing (backoffice inbox) ────────────────────────────────────────
+
+  /** Customer submitted a booking for review. */
+  submittedToStaff(b: Booking): void {
+    this.inAppStaff(
+      b,
+      'New booking submitted',
+      `Booking ${this.ref(b)} was submitted and is awaiting intake review.`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  /** Customer signed the booking contract. */
+  customerSignedToStaff(b: Booking): void {
+    this.inAppStaff(
+      b,
+      'Customer signed booking contract',
+      `The contract for booking ${this.ref(b)} was signed by the customer.`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  /** Customer requested operation (picked a shipment day). */
+  operationRequestedToStaff(b: Booking): void {
+    this.inAppStaff(
+      b,
+      'Operation requested',
+      `Booking ${this.ref(b)} requested operation — review capacity, documents and route.`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  /** Customer uploaded clearance documents — review is next. */
+  clearanceDocsUploadedToStaff(b: Booking): void {
+    this.inAppStaff(
+      b,
+      'Clearance documents uploaded',
+      `Customer uploaded clearance documents for booking ${this.ref(b)} — review them in the clearance queue.`,
+      {
+        type: NotificationType.CLEARANCE_REVIEW,
+        link: `/dashboard/bookings/${b.id}/clearance`,
+      },
+    );
+  }
+
+  /** Customer uploaded a duty/tax payment slip — GL verifies it. */
+  dutySlipUploadedToStaff(b: Booking, round: 'first' | 'second' | 'final'): void {
+    const label =
+      round === 'final'
+        ? 'final invoice'
+        : round === 'second'
+          ? 'additional duty & tax'
+          : 'duty & tax';
+    this.inAppStaff(
+      b,
+      'Payment slip uploaded',
+      `Customer uploaded the ${label} payment slip for booking ${this.ref(b)}.`,
+      {
+        type: NotificationType.PAYMENT_RECEIVED,
+        link: `/dashboard/bookings/${b.id}/clearance`,
+      },
+    );
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-transition.accept.spec.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-transition.accept.spec.ts
index 3c535f450..607a0d7a4 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-transition.accept.spec.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-transition.accept.spec.ts
@@ -30,14 +30,32 @@ describe('BookingTransitionService — acceptIntake validity window', () => {
       ruleEngineService as never,
       {} as never, // pricingService
       {} as never, // contractService
-      {} as never, // invoiceService
       {} as never, // filesService
       {} as never, // fileUploadSettingsService
       {} as never, // bookingBatchService
       bookingsService as never,
       { isPhasedGeneralCustomsBooking: () => false } as never,
-      {} as never,
+      {} as never, // workflowService
+      {} as never, // invoiceService
       { validate20ftPairing: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue([]) } as never,
+      {
+        accepted: jest.fn(),
+        approved: jest.fn(),
+        rejected: jest.fn(),
+        changesRequested: jest.fn(),
+        documentQueried: jest.fn(),
+        clearanceReady: jest.fn(),
+        operationChangesRequested: jest.fn(),
+        operationAccepted: jest.fn(),
+        inTransit: jest.fn(),
+        completed: jest.fn(),
+        cancelled: jest.fn(),
+        submittedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        customerSignedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        operationRequestedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        clearanceDocsUploadedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        dutySlipUploadedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+      } as never, // notifier
     );
     return { service, bookingsRepository, ruleEngineService };
   }
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-transition.clearance.spec.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-transition.clearance.spec.ts
index 9f9aa5713..72c83e136 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-transition.clearance.spec.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-transition.clearance.spec.ts
@@ -41,14 +41,32 @@ describe('BookingTransitionService — finalizeClearance gate', () => {
       {} as never, // ruleEngineService
       {} as never, // pricingService
       {} as never, // contractService
-      {} as never, // invoiceService
       filesService as never,
       fileUploadSettingsService as never,
       {} as never, // bookingBatchService
       bookingsService as never,
       { isPhasedGeneralCustomsBooking: () => false } as never,
-      {} as never,
+      {} as never, // workflowService
+      {} as never, // invoiceService
       { validate20ftPairing: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue([]) } as never,
+      {
+        accepted: jest.fn(),
+        approved: jest.fn(),
+        rejected: jest.fn(),
+        changesRequested: jest.fn(),
+        documentQueried: jest.fn(),
+        clearanceReady: jest.fn(),
+        operationChangesRequested: jest.fn(),
+        operationAccepted: jest.fn(),
+        inTransit: jest.fn(),
+        completed: jest.fn(),
+        cancelled: jest.fn(),
+        submittedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        customerSignedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        operationRequestedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        clearanceDocsUploadedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        dutySlipUploadedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+      } as never, // notifier
     );
     return { service, bookingsRepository };
   }
@@ -126,14 +144,32 @@ describe('BookingTransitionService — finalizeClearance customs output gate', (
       {} as never,
       {} as never,
       {} as never,
-      {} as never, // invoiceService
       filesService as never,
       fileUploadSettingsService as never,
-      {} as never,
+      {} as never, // bookingBatchService
       bookingsService as never,
       { isPhasedGeneralCustomsBooking: () => false } as never,
-      {} as never,
+      {} as never, // workflowService
+      {} as never, // invoiceService
       { validate20ftPairing: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue([]) } as never,
+      {
+        accepted: jest.fn(),
+        approved: jest.fn(),
+        rejected: jest.fn(),
+        changesRequested: jest.fn(),
+        documentQueried: jest.fn(),
+        clearanceReady: jest.fn(),
+        operationChangesRequested: jest.fn(),
+        operationAccepted: jest.fn(),
+        inTransit: jest.fn(),
+        completed: jest.fn(),
+        cancelled: jest.fn(),
+        submittedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        customerSignedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        operationRequestedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        clearanceDocsUploadedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        dutySlipUploadedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+      } as never, // notifier
     );
     return { service, bookingsRepository };
   }
@@ -197,14 +233,32 @@ describe('BookingTransitionService — submitClearanceDocuments required-fields
       {} as never,
       {} as never,
       {} as never,
-      {} as never, // invoiceService
       filesService as never,
       fileUploadSettingsService as never,
-      {} as never,
+      {} as never, // bookingBatchService
       bookingsService as never,
       { isPhasedGeneralCustomsBooking: () => false } as never,
-      {} as never,
+      {} as never, // workflowService
+      {} as never, // invoiceService
       { validate20ftPairing: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue([]) } as never,
+      {
+        accepted: jest.fn(),
+        approved: jest.fn(),
+        rejected: jest.fn(),
+        changesRequested: jest.fn(),
+        documentQueried: jest.fn(),
+        clearanceReady: jest.fn(),
+        operationChangesRequested: jest.fn(),
+        operationAccepted: jest.fn(),
+        inTransit: jest.fn(),
+        completed: jest.fn(),
+        cancelled: jest.fn(),
+        submittedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        customerSignedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        operationRequestedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        clearanceDocsUploadedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        dutySlipUploadedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+      } as never, // notifier
     );
     return { service, bookingsRepository, filesService };
   }
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-transition.operation.spec.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-transition.operation.spec.ts
index ea3618a08..9201e4fa9 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-transition.operation.spec.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-transition.operation.spec.ts
@@ -3,14 +3,17 @@ import { BookingTransitionService } from './booking-transition.service';
 
 /**
  * Operation-request review for general-contract drawdown orders:
- *  - ACCEPT a train order → FULLY_EXECUTED and enqueued into the batch pool.
- *  - ACCEPT a road order  → ROAD_DISPATCH_PENDING, NOT enqueued.
+ *  - ACCEPT a train order → FULLY_EXECUTED with the invoice ensured; import/
+ *    domestic bookings wait for their booking-day window cycle (no immediate
+ *    batch enqueue at accept time).
+ *  - ACCEPT a road order  → ROAD_DISPATCH_PENDING, never enters the train batch.
  *  - REQUEST_CHANGES requires a note → OPERATION_CHANGES_REQUESTED.
  */
 describe('BookingTransitionService — operation review', () => {
   function makeService(serviceTypeCode: string) {
     const booking = {
       id: 'b-1',
+      reference: 'BKG-1',
       status: 'OPERATION_REQUEST_PENDING',
       originYardId: 'o-1',
       destinationYardId: 'd-1',
@@ -26,6 +29,14 @@ describe('BookingTransitionService — operation review', () => {
     };
     const bookingBatchService = {
       enqueueRouteDayProcessing: jest.fn(),
+      pickExportSchedule: jest.fn(),
+      acceptExportBooking: jest.fn(),
+    };
+    const invoiceService = {
+      ensureInvoiceForBooking: jest
+        .fn()
+        .mockResolvedValue({ id: 'inv-1', invoiceNumber: 'INV-0001' }),
+      updateStatus: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
     };
 
     const service = new BookingTransitionService(
@@ -33,37 +44,60 @@ describe('BookingTransitionService — operation review', () => {
       {} as never, // ruleEngineService
       {} as never, // pricingService
       {} as never, // contractService
-      {} as never, // invoiceService
       {} as never, // filesService
       {} as never, // fileUploadSettingsService
       bookingBatchService as never,
       bookingsService as never,
       { isPhasedGeneralCustomsBooking: () => false } as never,
-      {} as never,
+      {} as never, // workflowService
+      invoiceService as never,
       { validate20ftPairing: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue([]) } as never,
+      {
+        accepted: jest.fn(),
+        approved: jest.fn(),
+        rejected: jest.fn(),
+        changesRequested: jest.fn(),
+        documentQueried: jest.fn(),
+        clearanceReady: jest.fn(),
+        operationChangesRequested: jest.fn(),
+        operationAccepted: jest.fn(),
+        inTransit: jest.fn(),
+        completed: jest.fn(),
+        cancelled: jest.fn(),
+        submittedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        customerSignedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        operationRequestedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        clearanceDocsUploadedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+        dutySlipUploadedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+      } as never, // notifier
     );
-    return { service, bookingsRepository, bookingBatchService };
+    return { service, bookingsRepository, bookingBatchService, invoiceService };
   }
 
-  it('ACCEPT of a train order → FULLY_EXECUTED and enqueues the batch pool', async () => {
-    const { service, bookingsRepository, bookingBatchService } =
+  it('ACCEPT of a train order → FULLY_EXECUTED, invoice ensured, batch waits for window cycle', async () => {
+    const { service, bookingsRepository, bookingBatchService, invoiceService } =
       makeService('RAIL_CONTAINER');
     await service.reviewOperationRequest('b-1', 'ACCEPT', 'staff-1');
     expect(bookingsRepository.update).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
       'b-1',
       expect.objectContaining({ status: 'FULLY_EXECUTED' }),
     );
-    expect(bookingBatchService.enqueueRouteDayProcessing).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(invoiceService.ensureInvoiceForBooking).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    // Import/domestic train bookings are batched by the window cycle later —
+    // never enqueued directly at accept time.
+    expect(bookingBatchService.enqueueRouteDayProcessing).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(bookingBatchService.acceptExportBooking).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
-  it('ACCEPT of a road order → ROAD_DISPATCH_PENDING and does NOT enqueue', async () => {
-    const { service, bookingsRepository, bookingBatchService } =
+  it('ACCEPT of a road order → ROAD_DISPATCH_PENDING and does NOT enter the batch', async () => {
+    const { service, bookingsRepository, bookingBatchService, invoiceService } =
       makeService('ROAD_CONTAINER');
     await service.reviewOperationRequest('b-1', 'ACCEPT', 'staff-1');
     expect(bookingsRepository.update).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
       'b-1',
       expect.objectContaining({ status: 'ROAD_DISPATCH_PENDING' }),
     );
+    expect(invoiceService.ensureInvoiceForBooking).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
     expect(bookingBatchService.enqueueRouteDayProcessing).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-transition.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-transition.service.ts
index 06edbf04e..b5c277073 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-transition.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/booking-transition.service.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import {
   Inject,
   Injectable,
   Logger,
+  Optional,
 } from "@nestjs/common";
 import type { TCurrentUser } from "@tria-plc/api-common/modules/auth/types/current-user.type";
 
@@ -15,6 +16,7 @@ import { RuleEngineService } from '../rule-engine/rule-engine.service';
 import { FilesService } from '../files/files.service';
 import { FileUploadSettingsService } from '../file-upload-settings/file-upload-settings.service';
 import { BookingContractService } from './booking-contract.service';
+import { BookingLifecycleNotifierService } from './booking-lifecycle-notifier.service';
 import { BookingPricingService } from './booking-pricing.service';
 import { ContainerValidationService } from './container-validation.service';
 import { BookingsRepository } from './bookings.repository';
@@ -26,6 +28,7 @@ import { PriceLineItemDto } from './dto/generate-price-response.dto';
 import { Booking } from './entities/booking.entity';
 import { BookingsService } from './bookings.service';
 import { BookingClearanceService } from '../contracts/booking-clearance.service';
+import { ClearanceMilestoneService } from '../contracts/clearance-milestone.service';
 import { ClearanceWorkflowService } from '../contracts/clearance-workflow.service';
 import { ContractDocPhase } from '@edr/types';
 
@@ -53,7 +56,8 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
     private readonly workflowService: ClearanceWorkflowService,
         private readonly invoiceService: BookingInvoiceService,
     private readonly containerValidationService: ContainerValidationService,
-
+    private readonly notifier: BookingLifecycleNotifierService,
+    @Optional() private readonly milestoneService?: ClearanceMilestoneService,
   ) {}
 
   private isPhasedGeneralCustoms(booking: Booking): boolean {
@@ -124,6 +128,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
       const finalBooking = await this.bookingsService.runConsolidationOnSubmit(
         updated!.id,
       );
+      if (finalBooking.status === "SUBMITTED") {
+        this.notifier.submittedToStaff(finalBooking);
+      }
       return {
         bookingId: finalBooking.id,
         status: finalBooking.status,
@@ -204,6 +211,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
     const finalBooking = await this.bookingsService.runConsolidationOnSubmit(
       updated!.id,
     );
+    if (finalBooking.status === "SUBMITTED") {
+      this.notifier.submittedToStaff(finalBooking);
+    }
     return {
       bookingId: finalBooking.id,
       status: finalBooking.status,
@@ -233,7 +243,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
     const updated = await this.bookingsRepository.update(bookingId, {
       status: "CHANGES_REQUESTED",
     } as never);
-    return this.bookingsService.findById(updated!.id);
+    const fresh = await this.bookingsService.findById(updated!.id);
+    this.notifier.changesRequested(fresh, note);
+    return fresh;
   }
 
   /** Auto-create booking approval steps from system rules when none exist yet. */
@@ -284,7 +296,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
       contractValidFrom: validFrom,
       contractValidUntil: validUntil,
     } as never);
-    return this.bookingsService.findById(updated!.id);
+    const fresh = await this.bookingsService.findById(updated!.id);
+    this.notifier.accepted(fresh);
+    return fresh;
   }
 
   async staffReject(
@@ -305,7 +319,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
     const updated = await this.bookingsRepository.update(bookingId, {
       status: "REJECTED",
     } as never);
-    return this.bookingsService.findById(updated!.id);
+    const fresh = await this.bookingsService.findById(updated!.id);
+    this.notifier.rejected(fresh, reason);
+    return fresh;
   }
 
   async approveStep(
@@ -394,7 +410,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
 
     if (allDone) {
       const generated = await this.contractService.generateContract(bookingId);
-      return this.bookingsService.findById(generated.id);
+      const fresh = await this.bookingsService.findById(generated.id);
+      this.notifier.approved(fresh);
+      return fresh;
     }
 
     return this.bookingsService.findById(bookingId);
@@ -435,7 +453,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
     const updated = await this.bookingsRepository.update(bookingId, {
       status: "REJECTED",
     } as never);
-    return this.bookingsService.findById(updated!.id);
+    const fresh = await this.bookingsService.findById(updated!.id);
+    this.notifier.rejected(fresh, reason);
+    return fresh;
   }
 
   async customerSign(bookingId: string): Promise<Booking> {
@@ -446,7 +466,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
       status: "SIGNED_CUSTOMER",
       customerSignedAt: new Date(),
     } as never);
-    return this.bookingsService.findById(updated!.id);
+    const fresh = await this.bookingsService.findById(updated!.id);
+    this.notifier.customerSignedToStaff(fresh);
+    return fresh;
   }
 
   async startTransit(bookingId: string): Promise<Booking> {
@@ -456,7 +478,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
     const updated = await this.bookingsRepository.update(bookingId, {
       status: "IN_TRANSIT",
     } as never);
-    return this.bookingsService.findById(updated!.id);
+    const fresh = await this.bookingsService.findById(updated!.id);
+    this.notifier.inTransit(fresh);
+    return fresh;
   }
 
   async complete(bookingId: string): Promise<Booking> {
@@ -467,7 +491,28 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
       status: "COMPLETED",
       endDate: new Date(),
     } as never);
-    return this.bookingsService.findById(updated!.id);
+    const fresh = await this.bookingsService.findById(updated!.id);
+    this.notifier.completed(fresh);
+    // Customer tracking: close out the tail milestones so a finished shipment
+    // never shows a forever-pending timeline. EXIT_NOTE/PROCESS_COMPLETED are
+    // implied by delivery; a storage invoice that was never raised is skipped
+    // (storage billing does not apply to every shipment). All doc-trigger /
+    // best-effort — a booking without milestone rows is untouched.
+    if (this.milestoneService) {
+      for (const code of ["IMPORT_PROCESS_COMPLETED", "EXIT_NOTE_GENERATED"]) {
+        try {
+          await this.milestoneService.completeByDocTrigger({ bookingId }, code);
+        } catch {
+          /* tracking must never block completion */
+        }
+      }
+      try {
+        await this.milestoneService.skipForBooking(bookingId, "STORAGE_INVOICE_RAISED");
+      } catch {
+        /* no such milestone row (export / non-customs) — fine */
+      }
+    }
+    return fresh;
   }
 
   async cancel(bookingId: string, reason: string): Promise<Booking> {
@@ -491,7 +536,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
     const updated = await this.bookingsRepository.update(bookingId, {
       status: "CANCELLED",
     } as never);
-    return this.bookingsService.findById(updated!.id);
+    const fresh = await this.bookingsService.findById(updated!.id);
+    this.notifier.cancelled(fresh, reason);
+    return fresh;
   }
 
   /**
@@ -723,7 +770,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
       } as never);
     }
 
-    return this.bookingsService.findById(bookingId);
+    const fresh = await this.bookingsService.findById(bookingId);
+    this.notifier.clearanceDocsUploadedToStaff(fresh);
+    return fresh;
   }
 
   /**
@@ -824,6 +873,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
     }
 
     const updated = await this.bookingsService.findById(bookingId);
+    if (status === "QUERIED") {
+      this.notifier.documentQueried(updated, fileKey, note ?? '');
+    }
     if (this.isPhasedGeneralCustoms(updated)) {
       const allApproved = await this.isClearanceFullyApproved(updated);
       if (allApproved) {
@@ -912,7 +964,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
     await this.bookingsRepository.update(bookingId, {
       status: "CLEARANCE_READY",
     } as never);
-    return this.bookingsService.findById(bookingId);
+    const fresh = await this.bookingsService.findById(bookingId);
+    this.notifier.clearanceReady(fresh);
+    return fresh;
   }
 
   /**
@@ -957,7 +1011,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
       status: "OPERATION_REQUEST_PENDING",
       scheduledDate: date,
     } as never);
-    return this.bookingsService.findById(bookingId);
+    const fresh = await this.bookingsService.findById(bookingId);
+    this.notifier.operationRequestedToStaff(fresh);
+    return fresh;
   }
 
   /**
@@ -992,7 +1048,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
       await this.bookingsRepository.update(bookingId, {
         status: "OPERATION_CHANGES_REQUESTED",
       } as never);
-      return this.bookingsService.findById(bookingId);
+      const fresh = await this.bookingsService.findById(bookingId);
+      this.notifier.operationChangesRequested(fresh, options.note);
+      return fresh;
     }
 
     // ACCEPT — enter the batch holding pool.
@@ -1037,7 +1095,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
         fullyExecutedAt: now,
         lockedAt: booking.lockedAt ?? now,
       } as never);
-      return this.bookingsService.findById(booking.id);
+      const roadFresh = await this.bookingsService.findById(booking.id);
+      this.notifier.operationAccepted(roadFresh);
+      return roadFresh;
     }
 
     await this.bookingsRepository.update(booking.id, {
@@ -1072,7 +1132,9 @@ export class BookingTransitionService {
     // batch runs after the window closes + staff document review, never at accept
     // time. (Legacy pre-migration schedules with no window phase are still served
     // by the periodic legacy fill.)
-    return this.bookingsService.findById(booking.id);
+    const trainFresh = await this.bookingsService.findById(booking.id);
+    this.notifier.operationAccepted(trainFresh);
+    return trainFresh;
   }
 
   async enrichBookingResponse(booking: Booking): Promise<
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/bookings.module.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/bookings.module.ts
index 2cb10ce8e..61dc78e13 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/bookings.module.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/bookings.module.ts
@@ -18,7 +18,10 @@ import { BookingInvoiceService } from './booking-invoice.service';
 // import { BookingPaymentService } from './booking-payment.service';
 import { BookingPricingService } from './booking-pricing.service';
 import { BookingReferenceDataService } from './booking-reference-data.service';
+import { BookingLifecycleNotifierService } from './booking-lifecycle-notifier.service';
 import { BookingTransitionService } from './booking-transition.service';
+import { NotificationsModule } from '../notifications/notifications.module';
+import { NotificationInboxModule } from '../notification-inbox/notification-inbox.module';
 import { BookingsController } from './bookings.controller';
 // import { PayController } from './pay.controller';
 import { BookingsRepository } from './bookings.repository';
@@ -64,6 +67,8 @@ import { VehiclesModule } from "../vehicles/vehicles.module";
       CustomerTruckContainer,
     ]),
     BillingModule,
+    NotificationsModule,
+    NotificationInboxModule,
     forwardRef(() => FirstMileModule),
     forwardRef(() => TrainSchedulingModule),
     forwardRef(() => ContractsModule),
@@ -90,6 +95,7 @@ import { VehiclesModule } from "../vehicles/vehicles.module";
     ContainerValidationService,
     BookingReferenceDataService,
     BookingPricingService,
+    BookingLifecycleNotifierService,
     BookingTransitionService,
     BookingContractService,
     BookingInvoiceService,
@@ -107,6 +113,7 @@ import { VehiclesModule } from "../vehicles/vehicles.module";
     BookingsRepository,
     BookingPricingService,
     BookingInvoiceService,
+    BookingLifecycleNotifierService,
     CustomerTruckService,
     ContainerReceiptService,
   ],
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/bookings.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/bookings.service.ts
index d4791baf7..1fb37dc31 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/bookings.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/bookings.service.ts
@@ -1388,6 +1388,17 @@ export class BookingsService {
       );
     }
 
+    // Surface the assigned train's operational status so the portal stepper
+    // can show the Arrival stage: the booking status stays IN_TRANSIT from
+    // dispatch until delivery, so arrival is only knowable from the schedule.
+    if (booking.trainScheduleId) {
+      const schedule = await this.dataSource
+        .getRepository(TrainSchedule)
+        .findOne({ where: { id: booking.trainScheduleId } });
+      (booking as Booking & { trainScheduleStatus?: string | null }).trainScheduleStatus =
+        schedule?.status ?? null;
+    }
+
     return booking;
   }
 
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/booking-clearance.service.spec.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/booking-clearance.service.spec.ts
index 2b0126003..7b5cb77d6 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/booking-clearance.service.spec.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/booking-clearance.service.spec.ts
@@ -85,6 +85,13 @@ function makeService(overrides?: {
     milestoneService as never,
     dropdownSettingsService as never,
     glOperationsService as never,
+    {
+      dutyAdvised: jest.fn(),
+      clearanceReady: jest.fn(),
+      documentQueried: jest.fn(),
+      dutySlipUploadedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+      clearanceDocsUploadedToStaff: jest.fn(),
+    } as never, // notifier
   );
 
   return {
@@ -115,12 +122,18 @@ describe('BookingClearanceService', () => {
 
     it('records duty advice when duty applies', async () => {
       const { service, milestoneService } = makeService();
-      await service.adviseDuty('b-general', {
-        dutyRequired: true,
-        amount: 1500,
-        currency: 'ETB',
-        declarationSerial: 'DS-1',
-      });
+      await service.adviseDuty(
+        'b-general',
+        {
+          dutyRequired: true,
+          amount: 1500,
+          currency: 'ETB',
+          declarationSerial: 'DS-1',
+        },
+        undefined,
+        // The duty notice attachment is now mandatory when duty applies.
+        { fieldname: 'duty_tax_notice' } as Express.Multer.File,
+      );
 
       expect(milestoneService.adviseDuty).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
         'b-general',
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/booking-clearance.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/booking-clearance.service.ts
index 61ac93925..eeea43a39 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/booking-clearance.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/booking-clearance.service.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import { FileUploadSettingsService } from '../file-upload-settings/file-upload-s
 import { FilesService } from '../files/files.service';
 import { BookingsRepository } from '../bookings/bookings.repository';
 import { BookingsService } from '../bookings/bookings.service';
+import { BookingLifecycleNotifierService } from '../bookings/booking-lifecycle-notifier.service';
 import { ClearanceMilestone } from './entities/clearance-milestone.entity';
 import { Booking } from '../bookings/entities/booking.entity';
 import { clearanceCodesForBooking } from '../bookings/clearance.util';
@@ -100,6 +101,7 @@ export class BookingClearanceService {
     private readonly milestoneService: ClearanceMilestoneService,
     private readonly dropdownSettingsService: DropdownSettingsService,
     private readonly glOperationsService: GlOperationsService,
+    private readonly notifier: BookingLifecycleNotifierService,
   ) {}
 
   private async assertPhasedGeneralCustoms(booking: Booking): Promise<void> {
@@ -414,6 +416,7 @@ export class BookingClearanceService {
         },
         userId,
       );
+      this.notifier.dutyAdvised(booking, dto.amount, dto.currency ?? 'ETB');
     }
 
     return this.bookingsService.findById(bookingId);
@@ -441,6 +444,7 @@ export class BookingClearanceService {
       clearanceCurrentPhase: ContractDocPhase.GlEtPostClearance,
     } as never);
 
+    this.notifier.dutySlipUploadedToStaff(booking, 'first');
     return this.bookingsService.findById(bookingId);
   }
 
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/booking-request.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/booking-request.service.ts
index 88a4ec725..4752b004f 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/booking-request.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/booking-request.service.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import type { Freight } from '@edr/types';
 import { BookingRequestRepository } from './booking-request.repository';
 import { ContractsService } from './contracts.service';
 import { ContractBookingService } from './contract-booking.service';
+import { ContractNotifierService } from './contract-notifier.service';
 import { BookingRequest } from './entities/booking-request.entity';
 import { Contract } from './entities/contract.entity';
 import { CreateBookingRequestDto } from './dto/create-booking-request.dto';
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ export class BookingRequestService {
     private readonly repo: BookingRequestRepository,
     private readonly contractsService: ContractsService,
     private readonly contractBookingService: ContractBookingService,
+    private readonly notifier: ContractNotifierService,
   ) {}
 
   /** Only GENERAL contracts that bundle customs use the request → GL → clearance flow. */
@@ -107,7 +109,7 @@ export class BookingRequestService {
         };
 
     const reference = await this.generateReference();
-    return this.repo.create({
+    const request = await this.repo.create({
       reference,
       contractId,
       requestedByUserId: userId ?? null,
@@ -117,6 +119,8 @@ export class BookingRequestService {
       requestedLines,
       notes: dto.notes ?? null,
     } as never);
+    this.notifier.shipmentRequestedToStaff(contract, request.id, request.reference);
+    return request;
   }
 
   listForContract(contractId: string): Promise<BookingRequest[]> {
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/clearance-workflow.service.spec.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/clearance-workflow.service.spec.ts
index f30b64597..75178d640 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/clearance-workflow.service.spec.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/clearance-workflow.service.spec.ts
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ function makeService(milestones: ClearanceMilestone[]) {
     contractsRepository as never,
     milestoneService as never,
     bookingsRepository as never,
+    { clearanceReady: jest.fn() } as never, // notifier
   );
   return { service, milestoneService, contractsRepository, bookingsRepository };
 }
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/clearance-workflow.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/clearance-workflow.service.ts
index 758da27ff..9b17a3e76 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/clearance-workflow.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/clearance-workflow.service.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import { Contract } from './entities/contract.entity';
 import { ContractClearanceCycle } from './entities/contract-clearance-cycle.entity';
 import { ClearanceMilestone } from './entities/clearance-milestone.entity';
 import { BookingsRepository } from '../bookings/bookings.repository';
+import { BookingLifecycleNotifierService } from '../bookings/booking-lifecycle-notifier.service';
 import { Booking } from '../bookings/entities/booking.entity';
 import type { ClearanceMetaState } from './clearance-workflow.types';
 import { metaFromBooking } from './clearance-workflow.types';
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ export class ClearanceWorkflowService {
     private readonly contractsRepository: ContractsRepository,
     private readonly milestoneService: ClearanceMilestoneService,
     private readonly bookingsRepository: BookingsRepository,
+    private readonly notifier: BookingLifecycleNotifierService,
   ) {}
 
   boundaryMilestone(tradeDirection: string): string {
@@ -264,6 +266,14 @@ export class ClearanceWorkflowService {
       status: 'CLEARANCE_READY',
       clearanceCurrentPhase: ContractDocPhase.GlEtPostClearance,
     } as never);
+    // Tell the customer clearance is done and operation can be requested. Load
+    // failure only skips the notice — the status change above already committed.
+    try {
+      const booking = await this.bookingsRepository.findByIdWithFiles(bookingId);
+      if (booking) this.notifier.clearanceReady(booking);
+    } catch {
+      /* notification is best-effort */
+    }
   }
 
   resolvePhase(
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contract-clearance.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contract-clearance.service.ts
index 2c79ba42f..3d41e68a5 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contract-clearance.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contract-clearance.service.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import { BookingsService } from '../bookings/bookings.service';
 import { contractClearanceCodes } from './contract-clearance.util';
 import { ClearanceWorkflowService } from './clearance-workflow.service';
 import { ClearanceMilestoneService } from './clearance-milestone.service';
+import { ContractNotifierService } from './contract-notifier.service';
 import { GlOperationsService } from './gl-operations.service';
 import { ClearanceMilestone } from './entities/clearance-milestone.entity';
 import { Contract } from './entities/contract.entity';
@@ -118,6 +119,7 @@ export class ContractClearanceService {
     private readonly milestoneService: ClearanceMilestoneService,
     private readonly dropdownSettingsService: DropdownSettingsService,
     private readonly glOperationsService: GlOperationsService,
+    private readonly notifier: ContractNotifierService,
   ) {}
 
   private isPhasedCustoms(contract: Contract): boolean {
@@ -543,7 +545,9 @@ export class ContractClearanceService {
       await this.workflowService.onDocumentReviewReopened(contractId);
     }
 
-    return this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    const updated = await this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    this.notifier.clearanceDocsUploadedToStaff(updated);
+    return updated;
   }
 
   private async assertRequiredInputsPresent(
@@ -674,6 +678,7 @@ export class ContractClearanceService {
         status: 'AWAITING_CLEARANCE_DOCUMENTS',
         clearanceStatus: 'AWAITING_DOCUMENTS',
       } as never);
+      this.notifier.clearanceDocumentQueried(contract, fileKey, note ?? '');
       if (cycle) {
         await this.contractsRepository.setCycleStatus(cycle.id, 'AWAITING_DOCUMENTS');
       }
@@ -1009,6 +1014,7 @@ export class ContractClearanceService {
         },
         userId,
       );
+      this.notifier.dutyAdvised(contract, dto.amount, dto.currency ?? 'ETB');
     }
 
     return this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
@@ -1045,7 +1051,9 @@ export class ContractClearanceService {
       });
     }
 
-    return this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    const updated = await this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    this.notifier.dutySlipUploadedToStaff(updated);
+    return updated;
   }
 
   async uploadTransitPermit(
@@ -1118,6 +1126,7 @@ export class ContractClearanceService {
       await this.workflowService.markReadyForBooking(contractId);
     }
 
+    this.notifier.preClearanceFinalized(contract);
     return this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
   }
 
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contract-notifier.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contract-notifier.service.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d4f31e570
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contract-notifier.service.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,245 @@
+import { Injectable, Logger } from '@nestjs/common';
+import {
+  NotificationAudience,
+  NotificationType,
+  NotifyInput,
+} from '@edr/types';
+
+import { Contract } from './entities/contract.entity';
+import { NotificationsService } from '../notifications/notifications.service';
+import { NotificationInboxService } from '../notification-inbox/notification-inbox.service';
+
+/**
+ * Customer + staff notifications for the contract lifecycle. Every customer
+ * event fans out over three channels: SMS + email (direct, via
+ * {@link NotificationsService}) and a persisted in-app notification (via
+ * {@link NotificationInboxService}) that deep-links to the contract detail page.
+ * Staff events go to the backoffice inbox. All sends are fire-and-forget and
+ * never throw — a notification failure must not break a contract transition.
+ */
+@Injectable()
+export class ContractNotifierService {
+  private readonly logger = new Logger(ContractNotifierService.name);
+
+  constructor(
+    private readonly notifications: NotificationsService,
+    private readonly inbox: NotificationInboxService,
+  ) {}
+
+  private ref(c: Contract): string {
+    return `${c.reference}${c.isGovernment ? ' (gov)' : ''}`;
+  }
+
+  /** Send SMS + email to the contract's company contact; log-only on failure. */
+  private async notifyContact(
+    c: Contract,
+    message: string,
+    logLabel: string,
+  ): Promise<void> {
+    this.logger.log(`${logLabel} — ${this.ref(c)}`);
+    const phone = c.company?.contactPersonPhone ?? c.company?.phone ?? null;
+    const email = c.company?.email ?? c.company?.generalManagerEmail ?? null;
+
+    if (phone) {
+      try {
+        await this.notifications.directSend('sms', phone, message);
+      } catch (err) {
+        this.logger.warn(`SMS failed for ${this.ref(c)}: ${(err as Error).message}`);
+      }
+    }
+    if (email) {
+      try {
+        await this.notifications.directSend('email', email, message);
+      } catch (err) {
+        this.logger.warn(`Email failed for ${this.ref(c)}: ${(err as Error).message}`);
+      }
+    }
+    if (!phone && !email) {
+      this.logger.warn(`No contact on file for ${this.ref(c)} — notification not sent`);
+    }
+  }
+
+  /** Persist + push an in-app item to all portal users of the contract's company. */
+  private inApp(
+    c: Contract,
+    title: string,
+    body: string,
+    overrides: Partial<NotifyInput> = {},
+  ): void {
+    if (!c.companyId) return; // government/unlinked contracts have no portal users
+    void this.inbox.notify({
+      recipients: { companyId: c.companyId },
+      audience: NotificationAudience.PORTAL,
+      type: NotificationType.CONTRACT_STATUS,
+      title,
+      body,
+      link: `/contracts/${c.id}`,
+      data: { contractId: c.id, reference: c.reference },
+      ...overrides,
+    });
+  }
+
+  /** Persist + push an in-app item to every backoffice staff user. */
+  private inAppStaff(
+    c: Contract,
+    title: string,
+    body: string,
+    overrides: Partial<NotifyInput> = {},
+  ): void {
+    void this.inbox.notify({
+      recipients: { allBackoffice: true },
+      audience: NotificationAudience.BACKOFFICE,
+      type: NotificationType.REQUEST_SUBMITTED,
+      title,
+      body,
+      link: `/dashboard/contract-requests/${c.id}`,
+      data: { contractId: c.id, reference: c.reference },
+      ...overrides,
+    });
+  }
+
+  // ── Customer-facing lifecycle events ───────────────────────────────────────
+
+  /** Line staff accepted intake → contract is under approval. */
+  accepted(c: Contract): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Your contract ${c.reference} has been accepted and is now under approval. ` +
+      `We will notify you once it is approved.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(c, msg, 'ACCEPTED');
+    this.inApp(c, 'Contract accepted', msg);
+  }
+
+  /** All approval steps complete → contract approved. */
+  approved(c: Contract): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Your contract ${c.reference} has been approved. ` +
+      `The final document will be prepared for signing.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(c, msg, 'APPROVED');
+    this.inApp(c, 'Contract approved', msg);
+  }
+
+  /** Fully executed (all parties signed) → contract active, customer can book. */
+  signedActive(c: Contract): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Your contract ${c.reference} has been signed and is now active. ` +
+      `You can start booking shipments from the portal.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(c, msg, 'SIGNED / ACTIVE');
+    this.inApp(c, 'Contract active', msg);
+  }
+
+  /** Staff rejected the contract. */
+  rejected(c: Contract, reason: string): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Your contract ${c.reference} was rejected. Reason: ${reason}. ` +
+      `Please contact us for details.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(c, msg, 'REJECTED');
+    this.inApp(c, 'Contract rejected', msg);
+  }
+
+  /** Staff requested changes before approval. */
+  changesRequested(c: Contract, note: string): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Changes were requested on your contract ${c.reference}: ${note}. ` +
+      `Please update and resubmit from the portal.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(c, msg, 'CHANGES REQUESTED');
+    this.inApp(c, 'Contract changes requested', msg);
+  }
+
+  // ── Clearance milestones needing customer action ──────────────────────────
+
+  /** GL advised duty & tax on the contract cycle — customer pays + uploads slip. */
+  dutyAdvised(c: Contract, amount: number, currency: string): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Duty & tax of ${amount} ${currency} has been advised for contract ${c.reference}. ` +
+      `Please pay and upload the payment slip from the portal.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(c, msg, 'DUTY ADVISED');
+    this.inApp(c, 'Duty & tax advised', msg, {
+      type: NotificationType.INVOICE_ISSUED,
+      link: `/contracts/${c.id}/clearance`,
+    });
+  }
+
+  /** A clearance document was queried — customer must re-upload it. */
+  clearanceDocumentQueried(c: Contract, fileKey: string, note: string): void {
+    const msg =
+      `A clearance document on contract ${c.reference} needs attention: "${fileKey}". ` +
+      `${note}. Please re-upload from the portal.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(c, msg, 'CLEARANCE DOC QUERIED');
+    this.inApp(c, 'Clearance document queried', msg, {
+      type: NotificationType.DOCUMENT_ACTION,
+      link: `/contracts/${c.id}/clearance`,
+    });
+  }
+
+  /** Import pre-clearance finalized — the process moves to GL Djibouti collection. */
+  preClearanceFinalized(c: Contract): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Pre-clearance for contract ${c.reference} is complete. ` +
+      `Your shipment is proceeding to document collection in Djibouti.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(c, msg, 'PRE-CLEARANCE FINALIZED');
+    this.inApp(c, 'Pre-clearance complete', msg, {
+      type: NotificationType.CLEARANCE_DECISION,
+      link: `/contracts/${c.id}/clearance`,
+    });
+  }
+
+  // ── Staff-facing (backoffice inbox) ────────────────────────────────────────
+
+  /** Customer submitted a contract for review. */
+  submittedToStaff(c: Contract): void {
+    this.inAppStaff(
+      c,
+      'New contract submitted',
+      `Contract ${this.ref(c)} was submitted and is awaiting intake review.`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  /** Customer signed the contract — staff counter-sign is next. */
+  customerSignedToStaff(c: Contract): void {
+    this.inAppStaff(
+      c,
+      'Customer signed contract',
+      `Contract ${this.ref(c)} was signed by the customer and awaits the EDR counter-signature.`,
+      { link: `/dashboard/contract-requests/${c.id}/view` },
+    );
+  }
+
+  /** Customer uploaded clearance documents — GL review is next. */
+  clearanceDocsUploadedToStaff(c: Contract): void {
+    this.inAppStaff(
+      c,
+      'Clearance documents uploaded',
+      `Customer uploaded clearance documents for contract ${this.ref(c)} — review them in the clearance queue.`,
+      {
+        type: NotificationType.CLEARANCE_REVIEW,
+        link: `/dashboard/contracts/clearance/${c.id}`,
+      },
+    );
+  }
+
+  /** Customer uploaded the duty/tax payment slip — GL verifies it. */
+  dutySlipUploadedToStaff(c: Contract): void {
+    this.inAppStaff(
+      c,
+      'Duty slip uploaded',
+      `Customer uploaded the duty & tax payment slip for contract ${this.ref(c)}.`,
+      {
+        type: NotificationType.PAYMENT_RECEIVED,
+        link: `/dashboard/contracts/clearance/${c.id}`,
+      },
+    );
+  }
+
+  /** Customer filed a shipment request under a GENERAL customs contract. */
+  shipmentRequestedToStaff(c: Contract, requestId: string, requestRef: string): void {
+    this.inAppStaff(
+      c,
+      'New shipment request',
+      `Shipment request ${requestRef} was filed under contract ${this.ref(c)} and awaits GL review.`,
+      {
+        link: `/dashboard/shipment-requests/${requestId}`,
+        data: { contractId: c.id, requestId, reference: requestRef },
+      },
+    );
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contract-transition.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contract-transition.service.ts
index e31392666..9cf06c905 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contract-transition.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contract-transition.service.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import { FilesService } from '../files/files.service';
 import { SignaturesService } from '../signatures/signatures.service';
 import { OtpService } from '../otp/otp.service';
 import { ContractPricingService } from './contract-pricing.service';
+import { ContractNotifierService } from './contract-notifier.service';
 import { ClearanceMilestoneService } from './clearance-milestone.service';
 import { ContractsRepository } from './contracts.repository';
 import { ContractsService } from './contracts.service';
@@ -66,6 +67,7 @@ export class ContractTransitionService {
     private readonly pdfService: ContractPdfService,
     private readonly minioService: MinioService,
     private readonly otpService: OtpService,
+    private readonly notifier: ContractNotifierService,
   ) {}
 
   /** Customer submits the contract for approval → SUBMITTED; freeze unit rates. */
@@ -79,7 +81,9 @@ export class ContractTransitionService {
     await this.contractsRepository.update(contractId, {
       status: 'SUBMITTED',
     } as never);
-    return this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    const updated = await this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    this.notifier.submittedToStaff(updated);
+    return updated;
   }
 
   /** Confirm a price change before submit (mirrors booking confirm-submit). */
@@ -93,7 +97,9 @@ export class ContractTransitionService {
     await this.contractsRepository.update(contractId, {
       status: 'SUBMITTED',
     } as never);
-    return this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    const updated = await this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    this.notifier.submittedToStaff(updated);
+    return updated;
   }
 
   /**
@@ -130,7 +136,9 @@ export class ContractTransitionService {
       contractValidFrom: validFrom,
       contractValidUntil: validUntil,
     } as never);
-    return this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    const updated = await this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    this.notifier.accepted(updated);
+    return updated;
   }
 
   /**
@@ -218,7 +226,9 @@ export class ContractTransitionService {
     await this.contractsRepository.update(contractId, {
       status: 'CHANGES_REQUESTED',
     } as never);
-    return this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    const updated = await this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    this.notifier.changesRequested(updated, note);
+    return updated;
   }
 
   async reject(contractId: string, reason: string, actorId: string): Promise<Contract> {
@@ -235,7 +245,9 @@ export class ContractTransitionService {
     await this.contractsRepository.update(contractId, {
       status: 'REJECTED',
     } as never);
-    return this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    const updated = await this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    this.notifier.rejected(updated, reason);
+    return updated;
   }
 
   /** Approve one approval step in sequence; → APPROVED when all complete. */
@@ -297,7 +309,11 @@ export class ContractTransitionService {
     if (Object.keys(updates).length > 0) {
       await this.contractsRepository.update(contractId, updates as never);
     }
-    return this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    const updated = await this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    if (allDone) {
+      this.notifier.approved(updated);
+    }
+    return updated;
   }
 
   /**
@@ -535,7 +551,9 @@ export class ContractTransitionService {
         customerSignedAt: new Date(),
       } as never);
       await this.regenerateContractPdf(contractId, contract.reference);
-      return this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+      const updated = await this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+      this.notifier.customerSignedToStaff(updated);
+      return updated;
     }
 
     return this.counterSign(contractId, dto, options);
@@ -605,7 +623,9 @@ export class ContractTransitionService {
 
     await this.contractsRepository.update(contractId, updates as never);
     await this.regenerateContractPdf(contractId, contract.reference);
-    return this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    const updated = await this.contractsService.findById(contractId);
+    this.notifier.signedActive(updated);
+    return updated;
   }
 
   /** Customer requests renewal → RENEWAL_DRAFT linked via renewalOfId. */
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contracts.module.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contracts.module.ts
index a9f9dcf5d..33a547a9f 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contracts.module.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contracts.module.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ import { FileUploadSettingsModule } from '../file-upload-settings/file-upload-se
 import { DropdownSettingsModule } from '../dropdown-settings/dropdown-settings.module';
 import { SignaturesModule } from '../signatures/signatures.module';
 import { OtpModule } from '../otp/otp.module';
+import { NotificationsModule } from '../notifications/notifications.module';
+import { NotificationInboxModule } from '../notification-inbox/notification-inbox.module';
 import { BookingsModule } from '../bookings/bookings.module';
 import { TrainSchedulingModule } from '../train-scheduling/train-scheduling.module';
 
@@ -19,6 +21,7 @@ import { ContractsController } from './contracts.controller';
 import { ContractsService } from './contracts.service';
 import { ContractsRepository } from './contracts.repository';
 import { ContractPricingService } from './contract-pricing.service';
+import { ContractNotifierService } from './contract-notifier.service';
 import { ContractTransitionService } from './contract-transition.service';
 import { ContractClearanceService } from './contract-clearance.service';
 import { BookingClearanceService } from './booking-clearance.service';
@@ -75,6 +78,8 @@ import { ContractDocumentViewModelBuilder } from '../../contracts/contract-docum
     MinioModule,
     SignaturesModule,
     OtpModule,
+    NotificationsModule,
+    NotificationInboxModule,
     CompaniesModule,
     // BookingsModule provides BookingsRepository/BookingPricingService used by the
     // contract PDF builders (they read a Booking today — see docs/new-doc.md §3.3).
@@ -94,6 +99,7 @@ import { ContractDocumentViewModelBuilder } from '../../contracts/contract-docum
     ContractsService,
     ContractsRepository,
     ContractPricingService,
+    ContractNotifierService,
     ContractTransitionService,
     ContractClearanceService,
     ClearanceWorkflowService,
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/gl-operations.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/gl-operations.service.ts
index 72e2d14d9..181d8b688 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/gl-operations.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/gl-operations.service.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import { BillingService } from '../billing/billing.service';
 import { InvoiceLine } from '../billing/entities/invoice-line.entity';
 import { FilesService } from '../files/files.service';
 import { Booking } from '../bookings/entities/booking.entity';
+import { BookingLifecycleNotifierService } from '../bookings/booking-lifecycle-notifier.service';
 import { TrainSchedule } from '../train-schedules/entities/train-schedule.entity';
 import { ImportDjiboutiOperation } from '../train-scheduling/entities/import-djibouti-operation.entity';
 import {
@@ -53,6 +54,7 @@ export class GlOperationsService {
     private readonly filesService: FilesService,
     private readonly milestoneService: ClearanceMilestoneService,
     private readonly billingService: BillingService,
+    private readonly notifier: BookingLifecycleNotifierService,
   ) {}
 
   private get bookings() {
@@ -64,7 +66,11 @@ export class GlOperationsService {
   }
 
   private async getBooking(bookingId: string): Promise<Booking> {
-    const booking = await this.bookings.findOne({ where: { id: bookingId } });
+    // company is loaded so customer notifications have a phone/email to target.
+    const booking = await this.bookings.findOne({
+      where: { id: bookingId },
+      relations: { company: true },
+    });
     if (!booking) throw new NotFoundException(`Booking ${bookingId} not found`);
     return booking;
   }
@@ -447,6 +453,7 @@ export class GlOperationsService {
     void userId;
     const summary = await this.finalInvoiceSummary(bookingId);
     if (!summary) throw new NotFoundException('Final invoice could not be created.');
+    this.notifier.finalInvoiceCreated(booking, input.amount, input.currency);
     return summary;
   }
 
@@ -455,7 +462,7 @@ export class GlOperationsService {
     bookingId: string,
     file: Express.Multer.File,
   ): Promise<{ uploaded: boolean }> {
-    await this.getBooking(bookingId);
+    const booking = await this.getBooking(bookingId);
     if (!file) throw new BadRequestException('No payment slip uploaded');
 
     const invoice = await this.billingService.findInvoice(
@@ -482,6 +489,7 @@ export class GlOperationsService {
       code: 'final_invoice_slip',
       file,
     });
+    this.notifier.dutySlipUploadedToStaff(booking, 'final');
     return { uploaded: true };
   }
 
@@ -490,7 +498,7 @@ export class GlOperationsService {
     bookingId: string,
     userId?: string,
   ): Promise<Freight.ClearanceFinalInvoiceSummary> {
-    await this.getBooking(bookingId);
+    const booking = await this.getBooking(bookingId);
     const invoice = await this.billingService.findInvoice(
       Freight.InvoiceSource.Booking,
       bookingId,
@@ -507,6 +515,7 @@ export class GlOperationsService {
         );
       }
       await this.billingService.markInvoiceAsPaid(invoice.id);
+      this.notifier.finalInvoicePaid(booking);
     }
 
     void userId;
@@ -575,6 +584,7 @@ export class GlOperationsService {
       },
       userId,
     );
+    this.notifier.secondDutyAdvised(booking, input.amount, input.currency ?? 'ETB');
     return { advised: true, skipped: false };
   }
 
@@ -605,6 +615,7 @@ export class GlOperationsService {
       booking.tradeDirection ?? 'IMPORT',
     );
     await this.milestoneService.completeForBooking(bookingId, 'SECOND_DUTY_PAID');
+    this.notifier.dutySlipUploadedToStaff(booking, 'second');
     return { milestoneCompleted: true };
   }
 
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/notification-inbox/notification-recipients.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/notification-inbox/notification-recipients.service.ts
index 265e19303..be7964a3d 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/notification-inbox/notification-recipients.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/notification-inbox/notification-recipients.service.ts
@@ -70,6 +70,18 @@ export class NotificationRecipientsService {
       }
     }
 
+    if (recipients.allBackoffice) {
+      try {
+        for (const uid of await this.backoffice.getAllCurrentEmployeeUserIds()) {
+          ids.add(uid);
+        }
+      } catch (err) {
+        this.logger.warn(
+          `Failed to resolve allBackoffice recipients: ${(err as Error).message}`,
+        );
+      }
+    }
+
     return [...ids];
   }
 }
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/scheduling-reschedule/scheduling-reschedule.service.spec.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/scheduling-reschedule/scheduling-reschedule.service.spec.ts
index 905e827e8..289e502f1 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/scheduling-reschedule/scheduling-reschedule.service.spec.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/scheduling-reschedule/scheduling-reschedule.service.spec.ts
@@ -78,6 +78,11 @@ describe('SchedulingRescheduleService', () => {
       bookingsRepository as never,
       trainSchedulingService as never,
       schedulingRescheduleRepository as never,
+      {
+        rescheduled: jest.fn(),
+        removedFromTrain: jest.fn(),
+        maintenanceMoved: jest.fn(),
+      } as never, // notifier
     );
   });
 
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/scheduling-reschedule/scheduling-reschedule.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/scheduling-reschedule/scheduling-reschedule.service.ts
index dd20b100d..a9a3ae246 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/scheduling-reschedule/scheduling-reschedule.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/scheduling-reschedule/scheduling-reschedule.service.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import { BookingsRepository } from '../bookings/bookings.repository';
 import { compareSchedulingPriority } from '../scheduling/compare-scheduling-priority.util';
 import { TrainSchedulesRepository } from '../train-schedules/train-schedules.repository';
 import { TrainSchedulingService } from '../train-scheduling/train-scheduling.service';
+import { BookingNotifierService } from '../train-scheduling/booking-notifier.service';
 import { ExecuteRescheduleDto, PreviewRescheduleDto } from './dto/preview-reschedule.dto';
 import { SchedulingRescheduleRepository } from './scheduling-reschedule.repository';
 
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ export class SchedulingRescheduleService {
     private readonly bookingsRepository: BookingsRepository,
     private readonly trainSchedulingService: TrainSchedulingService,
     private readonly schedulingRescheduleRepository: SchedulingRescheduleRepository,
+    private readonly notifier: BookingNotifierService,
   ) {}
 
   /** Preview who is retained, displaced, and readmitted on a schedule. */
@@ -193,9 +195,64 @@ export class SchedulingRescheduleService {
       displacedBookingIds: dto.displacedBookingIds,
     });
 
+    // Notify affected customers (SMS + email). Best-effort — a notification
+    // failure must never fail the reschedule, so each send is fire-and-forget
+    // inside the notifier. Government pre-empt already notifies via the batch
+    // displaced() path, so skip removed-from-train notices for that trigger.
+    // Use the new departure date when the reschedule moved it (the in-memory
+    // `schedule` still holds the pre-update date).
+    const effectiveDeparture = dto.newDepartureDate
+      ? new Date(dto.newDepartureDate)
+      : schedule.scheduledDepartureDate;
+    await this.notifyRescheduleOutcome(dto, effectiveDeparture);
+
     return { plan, schedule: assignResult };
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Fan out reschedule notifications: bookings that stayed on the train hear the
+   * new departure date; bookings dropped off the train (staff reschedule, not a
+   * government pre-empt) hear they were removed. Loads each booking with its
+   * company so the notifier has a phone/email to reach.
+   */
+  private async notifyRescheduleOutcome(
+    dto: ExecuteRescheduleDto,
+    newDeparture: Date | null,
+  ): Promise<void> {
+    const isMaintenance = dto.trigger === 'TRAIN_MAINTENANCE';
+    const isGovPreempt = dto.trigger === 'GOVERNMENT_PREEMPT';
+
+    if (newDeparture) {
+      for (const bookingId of dto.finalBookingIds) {
+        const booking = await this.loadBookingForNotify(bookingId);
+        if (!booking) continue;
+        if (isMaintenance) {
+          this.notifier.maintenanceMoved(booking, newDeparture);
+        } else {
+          this.notifier.rescheduled(booking, newDeparture);
+        }
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Government pre-empt displacements are already announced by the batch
+    // displaced() notice — don't double-notify. Staff reschedules are not.
+    if (!isGovPreempt) {
+      for (const bookingId of dto.displacedBookingIds) {
+        const booking = await this.loadBookingForNotify(bookingId);
+        if (!booking) continue;
+        this.notifier.removedFromTrain(booking);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  private async loadBookingForNotify(bookingId: string): Promise<Booking | null> {
+    try {
+      return await this.bookingsRepository.findByIdWithFiles(bookingId);
+    } catch {
+      return null;
+    }
+  }
+
   /** Maintenance shortcut: new departure + rebalance. */
   async maintenanceReschedule(
     scheduleId: string,
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-batch.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-batch.service.ts
index fd9b74d28..889af7cc5 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-batch.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-batch.service.ts
@@ -1517,6 +1517,12 @@ export class BookingBatchService implements OnModuleInit {
       "PREPAID",
     );
     await this.notifier.payNow(booking, deadline);
+    // Customer tracking: a wagon slot is reserved and the freight pay window is
+    // open. Doc-trigger path — silent no-op for bookings without milestone rows.
+    void this.completeTrackingMilestones(booking.id, [
+      "WAGON_REQUESTED",
+      "FREIGHT_PAYMENT_PENDING",
+    ]);
   }
 
   /** Allocate a booking to the schedule's train (creates the TrainScheduleBooking link). */
@@ -1548,6 +1554,15 @@ export class BookingBatchService implements OnModuleInit {
     this.notifier.secured(booking, reason);
     void this.triggerWagonAllocation(scheduleId);
     void this.markWagonAllocatedMilestone(booking.id);
+    // Customer tracking: freight payment settled (commercial pay-window path).
+    // Government allocations don't pay upfront — theirs stay pending.
+    if (reason === 'paid') {
+      void this.completeTrackingMilestones(booking.id, [
+        'WAGON_REQUESTED',
+        'FREIGHT_PAYMENT_PENDING',
+        'FREIGHT_PAYMENT_SETTLED',
+      ]);
+    }
   }
 
   private async markWagonAllocatedMilestone(bookingId: string): Promise<void> {
@@ -1559,6 +1574,27 @@ export class BookingBatchService implements OnModuleInit {
     }
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Complete customer-tracking milestones on lifecycle events via the
+   * doc-trigger path — a silent no-op for bookings without milestone rows
+   * (non-customs bookings). Never blocks the batch action.
+   */
+  private async completeTrackingMilestones(
+    bookingId: string,
+    codes: string[],
+  ): Promise<void> {
+    if (!this.milestoneService) return;
+    for (const code of codes) {
+      try {
+        await this.milestoneService.completeByDocTrigger({ bookingId }, code);
+      } catch (err) {
+        this.logger.warn(
+          `Milestone ${code} completion failed for booking ${bookingId}: ${(err as Error).message}`,
+        );
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
   /**
    * Expire an unpaid reservation and free its capacity. With day-level pooling we
    * also clear `trainScheduleId` so the booking is no longer pinned to the train
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-notifier.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-notifier.service.ts
index 49df19758..f1f63802e 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-notifier.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-notifier.service.ts
@@ -1,13 +1,23 @@
 import { Injectable, Logger } from '@nestjs/common';
+import {
+  NotificationAudience,
+  NotificationType,
+  NotifyInput,
+} from '@edr/types';
 
 import { Booking } from '../bookings/entities/booking.entity';
 import { NotificationsService } from '../notifications/notifications.service';
+import { NotificationInboxService } from '../notification-inbox/notification-inbox.service';
+import { BATCH_TIMEZONE } from './booking-batch.constants';
 
 @Injectable()
 export class BookingNotifierService {
   private readonly logger = new Logger(BookingNotifierService.name);
 
-  constructor(private readonly notifications: NotificationsService) {}
+  constructor(
+    private readonly notifications: NotificationsService,
+    private readonly inbox: NotificationInboxService,
+  ) {}
 
   private ref(b: Booking): string {
     return `${b.reference}${b.isGovernment ? ' (gov)' : ''}`;
@@ -41,11 +51,34 @@ export class BookingNotifierService {
     }
   }
 
+  /** Persist + push an in-app item to all portal users of the booking's company. */
+  private inApp(
+    b: Booking,
+    title: string,
+    body: string,
+    overrides: Partial<NotifyInput> = {},
+  ): void {
+    if (!b.companyId) return; // government/unlinked bookings have no portal users
+    void this.inbox.notify({
+      recipients: { companyId: b.companyId },
+      audience: NotificationAudience.PORTAL,
+      type: NotificationType.SCHEDULE_UPDATE,
+      title,
+      body,
+      link: `/bookings/${b.id}`,
+      data: { bookingId: b.id, reference: b.reference },
+      ...overrides,
+    });
+  }
+
   async payNow(b: Booking, deadline: Date): Promise<void> {
     const payMinutes = Math.max(1, Math.round((deadline.getTime() - Date.now()) / 60_000));
     const eat = deadline.toLocaleString('en-GB', { timeZone: 'Africa/Addis_Ababa' });
     const msg = `Pay within ${payMinutes} minute${payMinutes === 1 ? '' : 's'} to secure train slot ${b.reference ?? b.id}. Deadline: ${eat} EAT.`;
     await this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'PAY NOW');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Payment window open', msg, {
+      type: NotificationType.INVOICE_ISSUED,
+    });
   }
 
   /**
@@ -66,6 +99,9 @@ export class BookingNotifierService {
       `Pay within ${payMinutes} minute${payMinutes === 1 ? '' : 's'} to accept and ship ${offeredWagons} wagon${offeredWagons === 1 ? '' : 's'} now ` +
       `(the rest returns to your contract to book later). If you do not pay, the booking stays whole and you can rebook in the next window. Deadline: ${eat} EAT.`;
     await this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'PAY NOW (PARTIAL)');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Partial allocation offer', msg, {
+      type: NotificationType.INVOICE_ISSUED,
+    });
   }
 
   secured(b: Booking, reason: 'paid' | 'gov'): void {
@@ -73,11 +109,13 @@ export class BookingNotifierService {
       reason === 'gov' ? ' (government)' : ''
     }.`;
     void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'ALLOCATED');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Wagon allocated', msg);
   }
 
   expired(b: Booking): void {
     const msg = `Payment window expired for booking ${b.reference ?? b.id}. Reschedule or cancel — no re-approval needed.`;
     void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'EXPIRED');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Payment window expired', msg);
   }
 
   scheduleFull(b: Booking): void {
@@ -100,5 +138,42 @@ export class BookingNotifierService {
   displaced(b: Booking): void {
     const msg = `Booking ${b.reference ?? b.id} was displaced by a government booking. Move to another schedule or cancel.`;
     void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'DISPLACED');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Booking displaced', msg);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Staff rescheduled the train carrying this booking to a new departure date.
+   * The booking stays on the train — only the date moved.
+   */
+  rescheduled(b: Booking, newDeparture: Date): void {
+    const when = newDeparture.toLocaleDateString('en-GB', { timeZone: BATCH_TIMEZONE });
+    const msg = `Booking ${b.reference ?? b.id} has been rescheduled. New departure date: ${when}.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'RESCHEDULED');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Booking rescheduled', msg);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Booking was removed from its train during a staff reschedule (not a government
+   * pre-empt). It returns to eligible — the customer must rebook or reschedule.
+   */
+  removedFromTrain(b: Booking): void {
+    const msg =
+      `Booking ${b.reference ?? b.id} has been removed from its train during rescheduling. ` +
+      `Please rebook or select a new schedule from the portal.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'REMOVED FROM TRAIN');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Removed from train', msg);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * The train carrying this booking was moved for maintenance to a new departure
+   * date. The booking stays on the train — only the date moved.
+   */
+  maintenanceMoved(b: Booking, newDeparture: Date): void {
+    const when = newDeparture.toLocaleDateString('en-GB', { timeZone: BATCH_TIMEZONE });
+    const msg =
+      `The train for booking ${b.reference ?? b.id} was rescheduled for maintenance. ` +
+      `New departure date: ${when}.`;
+    void this.notifyContact(b, msg, 'MAINTENANCE RESCHEDULE');
+    this.inApp(b, 'Train maintenance reschedule', msg);
   }
 }
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-window.gateway.spec.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-window.gateway.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a439e442d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-window.gateway.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+import { BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_EVENTS, BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_NAMESPACE } from '@edr/types';
+import { INestApplication } from '@nestjs/common';
+import { Test } from '@nestjs/testing';
+import { io, type Socket } from 'socket.io-client';
+
+import { WsAuthService } from '../notification-inbox/ws-auth.service';
+import { BookingWindowGateway } from './booking-window.gateway';
+import type { TrainSchedule } from '../train-schedules/entities/train-schedule.entity';
+
+/**
+ * End-to-end proof the booking-window socket works: boots a real Nest app with
+ * the gateway, connects a real socket.io client to the namespace, emits a phase
+ * change, and asserts the client receives the exact payload. If this passes,
+ * any "no live update" report is environmental (stale server process, wrong
+ * checkout running, client not connecting) — not the gateway.
+ */
+describe('BookingWindowGateway (e2e)', () => {
+  let app: INestApplication;
+  let gateway: BookingWindowGateway;
+  let client: Socket;
+  let baseUrl: string;
+
+  beforeAll(async () => {
+    const moduleRef = await Test.createTestingModule({
+      providers: [
+        BookingWindowGateway,
+        // Accept any token — auth plumbing is covered by the real WsAuthService.
+        { provide: WsAuthService, useValue: { resolveUserId: async () => 'user-1' } },
+      ],
+    }).compile();
+
+    app = moduleRef.createNestApplication();
+    await app.listen(0);
+    const address = app.getHttpServer().address() as { port: number };
+    baseUrl = `http://127.0.0.1:${address.port}`;
+    gateway = app.get(BookingWindowGateway);
+  });
+
+  afterAll(async () => {
+    client?.disconnect();
+    await app?.close();
+  });
+
+  it('authenticated client receives the phase event with the schedule state', async () => {
+    client = io(`${baseUrl}/${BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_NAMESPACE}`, {
+      auth: { token: 'any' },
+      transports: ['websocket'],
+    });
+    await new Promise<void>((resolve, reject) => {
+      client.on('connect', () => resolve());
+      client.on('connect_error', (err) => reject(err));
+    });
+
+    const received = new Promise<Record<string, unknown>>((resolve) => {
+      client.on(BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_EVENTS.PHASE, (payload) => resolve(payload));
+    });
+
+    gateway.emitPhase({
+      id: 'sched-1',
+      originStationId: 'yard-a',
+      destinationStationId: 'yard-b',
+      direction: 'IMPORT',
+      windowPhase: 'OPEN',
+      bookingWindowStatus: 'OPEN',
+      bookingCycleNo: 2,
+      windowOpensAt: new Date('2026-07-06T16:15:00Z'),
+      windowClosesAt: new Date('2026-07-06T16:18:00Z'),
+      docReviewEndsAt: null,
+      paymentPhaseEndsAt: null,
+      scheduledDepartureDate: new Date('2026-07-09T05:53:00Z'),
+    } as unknown as TrainSchedule);
+
+    const payload = await received;
+    expect(payload).toMatchObject({
+      scheduleId: 'sched-1',
+      phase: 'OPEN',
+      bookingWindowStatus: 'OPEN',
+      bookingCycleNo: 2,
+      windowOpensAt: '2026-07-06T16:15:00.000Z',
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('rejects a client whose token does not resolve to a user', async () => {
+    const moduleRef = await Test.createTestingModule({
+      providers: [
+        BookingWindowGateway,
+        { provide: WsAuthService, useValue: { resolveUserId: async () => null } },
+      ],
+    }).compile();
+    const rejectingApp = moduleRef.createNestApplication();
+    await rejectingApp.listen(0);
+    const addr = rejectingApp.getHttpServer().address() as { port: number };
+
+    const rejected = io(`http://127.0.0.1:${addr.port}/${BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_NAMESPACE}`, {
+      auth: { token: 'bad' },
+      transports: ['websocket'],
+      reconnection: false,
+    });
+    const outcome = await new Promise<string>((resolve) => {
+      rejected.on('disconnect', () => resolve('disconnected'));
+      rejected.on('connect_error', () => resolve('rejected'));
+      // The server accepts the transport then drops it in handleConnection.
+      setTimeout(() => resolve(rejected.connected ? 'still-connected' : 'disconnected'), 500);
+    });
+    rejected.disconnect();
+    await rejectingApp.close();
+    expect(outcome).not.toBe('still-connected');
+  });
+});
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-window.gateway.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-window.gateway.ts
index d1c1d34a1..699471d90 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-window.gateway.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-window.gateway.ts
@@ -41,6 +41,9 @@ export class BookingWindowGateway implements OnGatewayConnection {
       return;
     }
     socket.data.userId = userId;
+    // Log at info so "is anyone actually connected?" is answerable from the
+    // API log when diagnosing missing live updates.
+    this.logger.log(`Booking-window client connected (user ${userId})`);
   }
 
   /** Push a schedule's current window state to every connected client. */
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-window.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-window.service.ts
index 12a78047c..429a03a05 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-window.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-window.service.ts
@@ -2,12 +2,17 @@ import { Injectable, Logger, NotFoundException, OnModuleInit } from '@nestjs/com
 import { Cron } from '@nestjs/schedule';
 import { InjectDataSource } from '@nestjs/typeorm';
 import { DataSource } from 'typeorm';
-import { TrainScheduleStatus as TrainScheduleStatusEnum } from '@edr/types';
+import {
+  NotificationAudience,
+  NotificationType,
+  TrainScheduleStatus as TrainScheduleStatusEnum,
+} from '@edr/types';
 
 import { Booking } from '../bookings/entities/booking.entity';
 import { TrainSchedule } from '../train-schedules/entities/train-schedule.entity';
 import { TrainSchedulesRepository } from '../train-schedules/train-schedules.repository';
 import { NotificationsService } from '../notifications/notifications.service';
+import { NotificationInboxService } from '../notification-inbox/notification-inbox.service';
 import { BookingBatchService } from './booking-batch.service';
 import { BookingWindowGateway } from './booking-window.gateway';
 import { TrainSchedulingService, effectiveWindowConfig } from './train-scheduling.service';
@@ -41,6 +46,7 @@ export class BookingWindowService implements OnModuleInit {
     private readonly bookingBatchService: BookingBatchService,
     private readonly trainSchedulingService: TrainSchedulingService,
     private readonly notifications: NotificationsService,
+    private readonly inbox: NotificationInboxService,
     private readonly gateway: BookingWindowGateway,
   ) {}
 
@@ -380,22 +386,26 @@ export class BookingWindowService implements OnModuleInit {
    */
   private async notifyWindowOpened(schedule: TrainSchedule): Promise<void> {
     try {
-      const rows: Array<{ phone: string | null; email: string | null }> =
-        await this.dataSource.query(
-          `SELECT DISTINCT
-                  COALESCE(co.contact_person_phone, co.phone) AS phone,
-                  COALESCE(co.email, co.general_manager_email) AS email
-             FROM freight.contract_routes cr
-             JOIN freight.contracts c
-               ON c.id = cr.contract_id
-              AND c.status IN ('CONTRACT_ACTIVE', 'FULLY_EXECUTED')
-              AND c.deleted_at IS NULL
-             JOIN freight.companies co ON co.id = c.company_id
-            WHERE cr.origin_yard_id = $1
-              AND cr.destination_yard_id = $2
-              AND cr.deleted_at IS NULL`,
-          [schedule.originStationId, schedule.destinationStationId],
-        );
+      const rows: Array<{
+        company_id: string;
+        phone: string | null;
+        email: string | null;
+      }> = await this.dataSource.query(
+        `SELECT DISTINCT
+                c.company_id,
+                COALESCE(co.contact_person_phone, co.phone) AS phone,
+                COALESCE(co.email, co.general_manager_email) AS email
+           FROM freight.contract_routes cr
+           JOIN freight.contracts c
+             ON c.id = cr.contract_id
+            AND c.status IN ('CONTRACT_ACTIVE', 'FULLY_EXECUTED')
+            AND c.deleted_at IS NULL
+           JOIN freight.companies co ON co.id = c.company_id
+          WHERE cr.origin_yard_id = $1
+            AND cr.destination_yard_id = $2
+            AND cr.deleted_at IS NULL`,
+        [schedule.originStationId, schedule.destinationStationId],
+      );
       if (!rows.length) return;
 
       const closes = schedule.windowClosesAt
@@ -410,6 +420,7 @@ export class BookingWindowService implements OnModuleInit {
 
       const seenPhone = new Set<string>();
       const seenEmail = new Set<string>();
+      const seenCompany = new Set<string>();
       for (const r of rows) {
         if (r.phone && !seenPhone.has(r.phone)) {
           seenPhone.add(r.phone);
@@ -423,9 +434,23 @@ export class BookingWindowService implements OnModuleInit {
             .directSend('email', r.email, msg)
             .catch((e) => this.logger.warn(`Window-open email failed: ${(e as Error).message}`));
         }
+        // In-app inbox item for every portal user of each eligible company,
+        // deep-linking to the new-booking page.
+        if (r.company_id && !seenCompany.has(r.company_id)) {
+          seenCompany.add(r.company_id);
+          void this.inbox.notify({
+            recipients: { companyId: r.company_id },
+            audience: NotificationAudience.PORTAL,
+            type: NotificationType.SCHEDULE_UPDATE,
+            title: 'Booking window open',
+            body: msg,
+            link: '/bookings/new',
+            data: { trainScheduleId: schedule.id },
+          });
+        }
       }
       this.logger.log(
-        `Notified ${seenPhone.size} phone / ${seenEmail.size} email contacts of open window for schedule ${schedule.id}`,
+        `Notified ${seenPhone.size} phone / ${seenEmail.size} email / ${seenCompany.size} companies (in-app) of open window for schedule ${schedule.id}`,
       );
     } catch (err) {
       this.logger.warn(
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/train-scheduling.module.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/train-scheduling.module.ts
index e01e0d629..792fb7c64 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/train-scheduling.module.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/train-scheduling.module.ts
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ import { WsAuthService } from '../notification-inbox/ws-auth.service';
 import { BookingSplitService } from './booking-split.service';
 import { BookingBatchOffer } from './entities/booking-batch-offer.entity';
 import { NotificationsModule } from '../notifications/notifications.module';
+import { NotificationInboxModule } from '../notification-inbox/notification-inbox.module';
 import { ContractsModule } from '../contracts/contracts.module';
 
 @Module({
@@ -56,6 +57,7 @@ import { ContractsModule } from '../contracts/contracts.module';
     forwardRef(() => BookingsModule),
     BillingModule,
     NotificationsModule,
+    NotificationInboxModule,
     LocomotivesModule,
     WagonTypesModule,
     TrainSetsModule,
@@ -76,6 +78,11 @@ import { ContractsModule } from '../contracts/contracts.module';
     BookingSplitService,
     IntercityService,
   ],
-  exports: [TrainSchedulingService, BookingBatchService, BookingWindowService],
+  exports: [
+    TrainSchedulingService,
+    BookingBatchService,
+    BookingWindowService,
+    BookingNotifierService,
+  ],
 })
 export class TrainSchedulingModule {}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/train-scheduling.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/train-scheduling.service.ts
index 16d5052bf..7211d63fd 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/train-scheduling.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/train-scheduling.service.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import {
   Injectable,
   Logger,
   NotFoundException,
+  Optional,
 } from '@nestjs/common';
 import { ConfigService } from '@nestjs/config';
 import { InjectDataSource } from '@nestjs/typeorm';
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ import { BookingsRepository } from '../bookings/bookings.repository';
 import { Booking } from '../bookings/entities/booking.entity';
 import { BookingContainer } from '../bookings/entities/booking-container.entity';
 import { ClearanceMilestone } from '../contracts/entities/clearance-milestone.entity';
+import { ClearanceMilestoneService } from '../contracts/clearance-milestone.service';
 import { Container } from '../container-management/entities/container.entity';
 import { Locomotive } from '../locomotives/entities/locomotive.entity';
 import { LocomotivesRepository } from '../locomotives/locomotives.repository';
@@ -274,9 +276,45 @@ export class TrainSchedulingService {
     private readonly warehouseInventoryService: WarehouseInventoryService,
     private readonly pdfDocuments: WarehouseReleaseDocumentService,
     private readonly bookingWindowGateway: BookingWindowGateway,
+    @Optional() private readonly milestoneService?: ClearanceMilestoneService,
     private readonly configService?: ConfigService,
   ) {}
 
+  /**
+   * Complete customer-tracking clearance milestones for every booking on a
+   * schedule when a physical lifecycle event fires (dispatch, arrive, load,
+   * unload, gatepass). Uses the doc-trigger path, which is a silent no-op for
+   * bookings without milestone rows (non-customs bookings), so this is safe to
+   * call for every direction and flow. Never blocks the operational action.
+   */
+  private async completeMilestonesForScheduleBookings(
+    scheduleId: string,
+    codes: string[],
+  ): Promise<void> {
+    if (!this.milestoneService || codes.length === 0) return;
+    try {
+      const rows: Array<{ booking_id: string }> = await this.dataSource.query(
+        `SELECT tsb.booking_id
+           FROM freight.train_schedule_bookings tsb
+          WHERE tsb.train_schedule_id = $1
+            AND tsb.deleted_at IS NULL`,
+        [scheduleId],
+      );
+      for (const { booking_id } of rows) {
+        for (const code of codes) {
+          await this.milestoneService.completeByDocTrigger(
+            { bookingId: booking_id },
+            code,
+          );
+        }
+      }
+    } catch (err) {
+      this.logger.warn(
+        `Milestone completion (${codes.join(', ')}) failed for schedule ${scheduleId}: ${(err as Error).message}`,
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
   /**
    * Push a schedule's current booking-window state over the socket so the
    * portal home card and backoffice GL/batch views update in real time —
@@ -1121,26 +1159,32 @@ export class TrainSchedulingService {
         { country: schedule.destinationCountry },
       );
       if (direction === 'IMPORT') {
+        const result = await this.warehouseInventoryService.autoUnloadArrivedBookings(
+          scheduleId,
+          'SYSTEM_TRAIN_ARRIVAL',
+        );
+        // Customer tracking: cargo is off the train at the destination yard.
+        void this.completeMilestonesForScheduleBookings(scheduleId, ['OFFLOADED']);
         return {
           direction,
           action: 'IMPORT_AUTO_UNLOAD',
           status: 'COMPLETED',
-          result: await this.warehouseInventoryService.autoUnloadArrivedBookings(
-            scheduleId,
-            'SYSTEM_TRAIN_ARRIVAL',
-          ),
+          result,
         };
       }
 
       if (direction === 'EXPORT' && this.isDjiboutiPortDestination(`${schedule.destinationCode ?? ''} ${schedule.destinationName ?? ''}`)) {
+        const result = await this.warehouseInventoryService.autoUnloadExportAtDjibouti(
+          scheduleId,
+          'SYSTEM_TRAIN_ARRIVAL',
+        );
+        // Customer tracking: cargo is off the train at the Djibouti port.
+        void this.completeMilestonesForScheduleBookings(scheduleId, ['OFFLOADED']);
         return {
           direction,
           action: 'EXPORT_DJIBOUTI_AUTO_UNLOAD',
           status: 'COMPLETED',
-          result: await this.warehouseInventoryService.autoUnloadExportAtDjibouti(
-            scheduleId,
-            'SYSTEM_TRAIN_ARRIVAL',
-          ),
+          result,
         };
       }
 
@@ -1443,6 +1487,20 @@ export class TrainSchedulingService {
 
     // Dispatch closed the window — drop it from portal/GL cards right away.
     void this.emitWindowState(scheduleId);
+    // Customer tracking: cargo is on the departing train — loading milestones
+    // plus the direction's "departed" handoff milestone.
+    if (schedule.direction === 'IMPORT' || schedule.direction === 'EXPORT') {
+      void this.completeMilestonesForScheduleBookings(scheduleId, [
+        // CARGO_ARRIVED is export-only (cargo reached the origin yard) — the
+        // doc-trigger path no-ops it for import bookings.
+        'CARGO_ARRIVED',
+        'READY_FOR_LOADING',
+        'LOADED',
+        schedule.direction === 'IMPORT'
+          ? 'DEPARTED_FROM_DJIBOUTI'
+          : 'DEPARTED_TO_DJIBOUTI',
+      ]);
+    }
     return this.getTrainScheduleById(scheduleId);
   }
 
@@ -1599,6 +1657,13 @@ export class TrainSchedulingService {
         LoadingStatus.Loaded,
       );
     }
+    // Customer tracking: staff confirmed cargo is on the wagons (CARGO_ARRIVED
+    // is the export-side "cargo reached origin yard" step that precedes it).
+    void this.completeMilestonesForScheduleBookings(scheduleId, [
+      'CARGO_ARRIVED',
+      'READY_FOR_LOADING',
+      'LOADED',
+    ]);
     return this.getTrainScheduleById(scheduleId);
   }
 
@@ -2417,6 +2482,13 @@ export class TrainSchedulingService {
       }
     });
 
+    // Customer tracking: the train reached the corridor's far end.
+    if (schedule.direction === 'IMPORT' || schedule.direction === 'EXPORT') {
+      void this.completeMilestonesForScheduleBookings(scheduleId, [
+        schedule.direction === 'IMPORT' ? 'ARRIVED_ETHIOPIA' : 'ARRIVED_AT_DJIBOUTI',
+      ]);
+    }
+
     const detail = await this.getTrainScheduleById(scheduleId);
     const warehouseAutomation = await this.runWarehouseArrivalAutomation(scheduleId);
     return Object.assign(detail, { warehouseAutomation });
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/features/bookingWindows/useBookingWindowSocket.ts b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/features/bookingWindows/useBookingWindowSocket.ts
index 375c12f19..3941c487c 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/features/bookingWindows/useBookingWindowSocket.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/features/bookingWindows/useBookingWindowSocket.ts
@@ -35,6 +35,18 @@ export function useBookingWindowSocket(enabled: boolean = true) {
       withCredentials: true,
     });
 
+    // Deliberate console breadcrumbs: "live updates not arriving" is only
+    // diagnosable from the browser when connect/reject outcomes are visible.
+    socket.on("connect", () =>
+      console.debug("[booking-windows] socket connected", socket.id),
+    );
+    socket.on("connect_error", (err) =>
+      console.warn("[booking-windows] socket connect failed:", err.message),
+    );
+    socket.on("disconnect", (reason) =>
+      console.debug("[booking-windows] socket disconnected:", reason),
+    );
+
     socket.on(
       BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_EVENTS.PHASE,
       (_event: BookingWindowPhaseEvent) => {
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/features/notifications/notificationConfig.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/features/notifications/notificationConfig.tsx
index 9baf4ebf2..1ed61f72b 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/features/notifications/notificationConfig.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/features/notifications/notificationConfig.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { NotificationType } from "@edr/types";
 import type { NotificationItemData, NotificationVisual } from "@edr/ui-common";
-import { Bell, ClipboardCheck, Inbox, Wallet } from "lucide-react";
+import { Bell, ClipboardCheck, FileSignature, Inbox, Wallet } from "lucide-react";
 
 const ICON_SIZE = 17;
 
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ export function resolveNotificationVisual(
       return { icon: <Wallet size={ICON_SIZE} />, color: "teal" };
     case NotificationType.CLEARANCE_REVIEW:
       return { icon: <ClipboardCheck size={ICON_SIZE} />, color: "orange" };
+    case NotificationType.CONTRACT_STATUS:
+      return { icon: <FileSignature size={ICON_SIZE} />, color: "indigo" };
     default:
       return { icon: <Bell size={ICON_SIZE} />, color: "edr-green" };
   }
@@ -39,14 +41,32 @@ export function resolveNotificationHref(
   if (item.link) return item.link;
   const data = item.data ?? {};
   switch (item.type) {
-    case NotificationType.REQUEST_SUBMITTED:
+    case NotificationType.REQUEST_SUBMITTED: {
+      const bookingId = asId(data.bookingId);
+      if (bookingId) return `/dashboard/booking-requests/${bookingId}`;
+      const contractId = asId(data.contractId);
+      if (contractId) return `/dashboard/contract-requests/${contractId}`;
       return "/dashboard/booking-requests";
+    }
     case NotificationType.PAYMENT_RECEIVED: {
+      const bookingId = asId(data.bookingId);
+      if (bookingId) return `/dashboard/bookings/${bookingId}/clearance`;
       const id = asId(data.customerId);
       return id ? `/dashboard/customers/${id}` : "/dashboard/customers";
     }
-    case NotificationType.CLEARANCE_REVIEW:
+    case NotificationType.CLEARANCE_REVIEW: {
+      const bookingId = asId(data.bookingId);
+      if (bookingId) return `/dashboard/bookings/${bookingId}/clearance`;
+      const contractId = asId(data.contractId);
+      if (contractId) return `/dashboard/contracts/clearance/${contractId}`;
       return "/dashboard/arrival-queue";
+    }
+    case NotificationType.CONTRACT_STATUS: {
+      const contractId = asId(data.contractId);
+      return contractId
+        ? `/dashboard/contract-requests/${contractId}`
+        : "/dashboard/contract-requests";
+    }
     default:
       return null;
   }
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/features/bookingWindows/useBookingWindowSocket.ts b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/features/bookingWindows/useBookingWindowSocket.ts
index 17f6174b3..5b91af82e 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/features/bookingWindows/useBookingWindowSocket.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/features/bookingWindows/useBookingWindowSocket.ts
@@ -40,6 +40,18 @@ export function useBookingWindowSocket(enabled: boolean) {
       withCredentials: true,
     });
 
+    // Deliberate console breadcrumbs: "live updates not arriving" is only
+    // diagnosable from the browser when connect/reject outcomes are visible.
+    socket.on("connect", () =>
+      console.debug("[booking-windows] socket connected", socket.id),
+    );
+    socket.on("connect_error", (err) =>
+      console.warn("[booking-windows] socket connect failed:", err.message),
+    );
+    socket.on("disconnect", (reason) =>
+      console.debug("[booking-windows] socket disconnected:", reason),
+    );
+
     socket.on(
       BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_EVENTS.PHASE,
       (_event: BookingWindowPhaseEvent) => {
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/features/notifications/notificationConfig.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/features/notifications/notificationConfig.tsx
index 42f3294f7..9cde29f77 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/features/notifications/notificationConfig.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/features/notifications/notificationConfig.tsx
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ import type { NotificationItemData, NotificationVisual } from "@edr/ui-common";
 import {
   BadgeCheck,
   Bell,
+  CalendarClock,
+  FileSignature,
   FileWarning,
   Package,
   Receipt,
@@ -25,6 +27,10 @@ export function resolveNotificationVisual(
       return { icon: <FileWarning size={ICON_SIZE} />, color: "orange" };
     case NotificationType.BOOKING_STATUS:
       return { icon: <Package size={ICON_SIZE} />, color: "blue" };
+    case NotificationType.CONTRACT_STATUS:
+      return { icon: <FileSignature size={ICON_SIZE} />, color: "indigo" };
+    case NotificationType.SCHEDULE_UPDATE:
+      return { icon: <CalendarClock size={ICON_SIZE} />, color: "cyan" };
     case NotificationType.INVOICE_ISSUED:
       return { icon: <Receipt size={ICON_SIZE} />, color: "violet" };
     default:
@@ -55,8 +61,18 @@ export function resolveNotificationHref(
       const id = asId(data.bookingId);
       return id ? `/bookings/${id}` : null;
     }
+    case NotificationType.CONTRACT_STATUS: {
+      const id = asId(data.contractId);
+      return id ? `/contracts/${id}` : "/contracts";
+    }
+    case NotificationType.SCHEDULE_UPDATE: {
+      const id = asId(data.bookingId);
+      return id ? `/bookings/${id}` : "/bookings/new";
+    }
     case NotificationType.CLEARANCE_DECISION:
     case NotificationType.DOCUMENT_ACTION: {
+      const bookingId = asId(data.bookingId);
+      if (bookingId) return `/bookings/${bookingId}`;
       const id = asId(data.contractId);
       return id ? `/contracts/${id}` : "/contracts";
     }
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/components/StatusHero.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/components/StatusHero.tsx
index ac9352653..127901186 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/components/StatusHero.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/components/StatusHero.tsx
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { Check, MoveRight } from "lucide-react";
 
 import type { Freight } from "@edr/types";
 
-import { PROGRESS_STAGES, STATUS_MAP } from "../constants";
+import { ARRIVAL_STAGE, PROGRESS_STAGES, STATUS_MAP, resolveStage } from "../constants";
 import { fmtDate, isDraftLike, isNegative, yardLabel } from "../utils";
 import { SectionCard } from "./layout";
 
@@ -65,7 +65,18 @@ export function StatusHero({
   children?: React.ReactNode;
 }) {
   const status = booking.status;
-  const cfg = STATUS_MAP[status] ?? STATUS_MAP.DRAFT;
+  const stage = resolveStage(booking);
+  // The Arrival stage has no booking status of its own — it lights up from the
+  // train's ARRIVED state, so the headline is overridden here.
+  const cfg =
+    stage === ARRIVAL_STAGE
+      ? {
+          title: "Train arrived at destination",
+          description:
+            "Your shipment reached its destination yard and is being unloaded and prepared for release.",
+          stage,
+        }
+      : (STATUS_MAP[status] ?? STATUS_MAP.DRAFT);
   const negative = isNegative(status);
   const draft = isDraftLike(status);
 
@@ -107,7 +118,7 @@ export function StatusHero({
 
       {children ?? (
         <ProgressTracker
-          current={cfg.stage}
+          current={stage}
           tone={draft ? "ink" : "green"}
           negative={negative}
         />
@@ -139,7 +150,7 @@ function ProgressTracker({
         } as React.CSSProperties
       }
     >
-      <div className="flex items-start" style={{ minWidth: 440 }}>
+      <div className="flex items-start" style={{ minWidth: 520 }}>
         {PROGRESS_STAGES.map((stage, idx) => {
           const state =
             idx < current ? "done" : idx === current ? "active" : "idle";
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/constants.ts b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/constants.ts
index 67be567db..2a41a6fa3 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/constants.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/constants.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import {
   ClipboardCheck,
   FileText,
+  MapPin,
   PackageCheck,
   ShieldCheck,
   Ship,
@@ -52,6 +53,14 @@ export const PROGRESS_STAGES = [
     icon: Train,
     statuses: ["EXPIRED", "IN_TRANSIT"],
   },
+  {
+    // No booking status maps here: the booking stays IN_TRANSIT until
+    // delivery, so this stage lights up from the assigned train's own status
+    // (trainScheduleStatus === "ARRIVED") — see resolveStage.
+    label: "Arrival",
+    icon: MapPin,
+    statuses: [],
+  },
   {
     label: "Complete",
     icon: PackageCheck,
@@ -59,6 +68,30 @@ export const PROGRESS_STAGES = [
   },
 ];
 
+/** Stage index of the Arrival step (train ARRIVED, cargo not yet delivered). */
+export const ARRIVAL_STAGE = PROGRESS_STAGES.findIndex(
+  (s) => s.label === "Arrival",
+);
+
+/**
+ * Stage for a booking, factoring in the assigned train's operational status:
+ * a booking is stuck at IN_TRANSIT between dispatch and delivery, so once its
+ * train has ARRIVED the tracker advances to the Arrival stage.
+ */
+export function resolveStage(booking: {
+  status: string;
+  trainScheduleStatus?: string | null;
+}): number {
+  const base = STATUS_MAP[booking.status]?.stage ?? 0;
+  if (
+    booking.status === "IN_TRANSIT" &&
+    booking.trainScheduleStatus === "ARRIVED"
+  ) {
+    return ARRIVAL_STAGE;
+  }
+  return base;
+}
+
 export const STATUS_MAP: Record<
   string,
   { title: string; description: string; stage: number }
@@ -209,7 +242,7 @@ export const STATUS_MAP: Record<
     title: "Contract closed",
     description:
       "This general contract is closed — its reserved quantity has been used or its window has elapsed.",
-    stage: 7,
+    stage: 8,
   },
   PRICE_CHANGED_PENDING_CONFIRM: {
     title: "Price changed — confirm to proceed",
@@ -235,12 +268,12 @@ export const STATUS_MAP: Record<
   COMPLETED: {
     title: "Service complete",
     description: "Cargo delivered and service successfully terminated.",
-    stage: 7,
+    stage: 8,
   },
   DELIVERED: {
     title: "Service complete",
     description: "Cargo delivered and service successfully terminated.",
-    stage: 7,
+    stage: 8,
   },
   REJECTED: {
     title: "Booking rejected",
diff --git a/packages/types/src/freight/index.ts b/packages/types/src/freight/index.ts
index 0b5752265..c51d838e1 100644
--- a/packages/types/src/freight/index.ts
+++ b/packages/types/src/freight/index.ts
@@ -438,6 +438,13 @@ export interface IBooking extends BaseEntity {
   contractReference?: string | null;
   trainId?: string | null;
   status: BookingStatus;
+  /**
+   * Operational status of the assigned train (DRAFT/SCHEDULED/DISPATCHED/
+   * ARRIVED), joined on booking detail. The booking status stays IN_TRANSIT
+   * from dispatch until delivery, so the portal stepper reads arrival from
+   * here.
+   */
+  trainScheduleStatus?: TrainScheduleStatus | string | null;
   /** ONE_TIME for normal bookings; GENERAL_CONTRACT for umbrella contracts. */
   bookingType?: BookingType;
   /** General contracts only: when ordering closes (null until active / for one-time). */
diff --git a/packages/types/src/freight/notifications.ts b/packages/types/src/freight/notifications.ts
index bdf83a719..75513dcb9 100644
--- a/packages/types/src/freight/notifications.ts
+++ b/packages/types/src/freight/notifications.ts
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ export enum NotificationType {
   CLEARANCE_DECISION = "CLEARANCE_DECISION",
   DOCUMENT_ACTION = "DOCUMENT_ACTION",
   BOOKING_STATUS = "BOOKING_STATUS",
+  CONTRACT_STATUS = "CONTRACT_STATUS",
+  SCHEDULE_UPDATE = "SCHEDULE_UPDATE",
   INVOICE_ISSUED = "INVOICE_ISSUED",
   // Backoffice-facing (staff)
   REQUEST_SUBMITTED = "REQUEST_SUBMITTED",
@@ -87,6 +89,8 @@ export interface NotificationRecipients {
   companyProfileId?: string;
   /** Backoffice: all current employees of this organization. */
   organizationId?: string;
+  /** Backoffice: every current employee across all organizations. */
+  allBackoffice?: boolean;
 }
 
 /** Input any subsystem passes to `NotificationInboxService.notify(...)`. */
diff --git a/pnpm-lock.yaml b/pnpm-lock.yaml
index fadeaca56..653fe803c 100644
--- a/pnpm-lock.yaml
+++ b/pnpm-lock.yaml
@@ -193,6 +193,9 @@ importers:
       jest:
         specifier: ^29.7.0
         version: 29.7.0(@types/node@20.19.42)(babel-plugin-macros@3.1.0)(ts-node@10.9.2(@types/node@20.19.42)(typescript@5.9.3))
+      socket.io-client:
+        specifier: ^4.8.3
+        version: 4.8.3
       supertest:
         specifier: ^7.0.0
         version: 7.2.2