diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/common/derive-trade-direction.util.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/common/derive-trade-direction.util.ts
index b8a6f8afb..58b2d733a 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/common/derive-trade-direction.util.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/common/derive-trade-direction.util.ts
@@ -1,20 +1,33 @@
-import type { ScheduleTradeDirection } from '@edr/types';
+import { YardCountry, type ScheduleTradeDirection } from '@edr/types';
 
 type YardLike = { country?: string | null };
 
-/** Derive booking/schedule trade direction from origin and destination yard countries. */
+/**
+ * Derive trade direction from origin and destination yard countries.
+ * Ethiopia → Djibouti = EXPORT, Djibouti → Ethiopia = IMPORT, same country =
+ * DOMESTIC (shown as "Intercity"; scheduling/contracts reject it for now).
+ * Comparison is strict against the YardCountry enum values the yards table is
+ * constrained to; the trim/case fold only shields legacy rows.
+ */
 export function deriveTradeDirection(
   originYard: YardLike,
   destinationYard: YardLike,
 ): ScheduleTradeDirection {
-  const originCountry = originYard.country?.trim().toLowerCase();
-  const destinationCountry = destinationYard.country?.trim().toLowerCase();
+  const origin = normalizeCountry(originYard.country);
+  const destination = normalizeCountry(destinationYard.country);
 
-  if (originCountry === 'djibouti') {
+  if (origin === YardCountry.DJIBOUTI && destination === YardCountry.ETHIOPIA) {
     return 'IMPORT';
   }
-  if (destinationCountry === 'djibouti' && originCountry !== 'djibouti') {
+  if (origin === YardCountry.ETHIOPIA && destination === YardCountry.DJIBOUTI) {
     return 'EXPORT';
   }
   return 'DOMESTIC';
 }
+
+function normalizeCountry(country: string | null | undefined): YardCountry | null {
+  const folded = country?.trim().toLowerCase();
+  if (folded === YardCountry.ETHIOPIA.toLowerCase()) return YardCountry.ETHIOPIA;
+  if (folded === YardCountry.DJIBOUTI.toLowerCase()) return YardCountry.DJIBOUTI;
+  return null;
+}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/migrations/1980000000000-AddBookingHandovers.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/migrations/1980000000000-AddBookingHandovers.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a47ff6297
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/migrations/1980000000000-AddBookingHandovers.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+import { MigrationInterface, QueryRunner } from 'typeorm';
+
+/**
+ * Structured import handover records. Replaces the ad-hoc handover notes so a
+ * booking can carry one handover (single truck) or several (one per truck when
+ * multiple trucks are used). Timing differs by mile type:
+ *  - SELF_HAUL: generated on first truck arrival, signed before the truck leaves.
+ *  - EDR_LAST_MILE: generated at delivery (after exit); signed on delivery.
+ */
+export class AddBookingHandovers1980000000000 implements MigrationInterface {
+  name = 'AddBookingHandovers1980000000000';
+
+  public async up(queryRunner: QueryRunner): Promise<void> {
+    await queryRunner.query(`
+      CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS freight.booking_handovers (
+        id uuid PRIMARY KEY DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(),
+        booking_id uuid NOT NULL REFERENCES freight.bookings(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
+        truck_assignment_id uuid REFERENCES freight.customer_truck_assignments(id) ON DELETE SET NULL,
+        truck_plate varchar(32),
+        mile_type varchar(20) NOT NULL,
+        reference varchar(100) NOT NULL,
+        generated_at timestamptz NOT NULL DEFAULT now(),
+        signed_at timestamptz,
+        signed_by_user_id uuid,
+        delivered_at timestamptz,
+        created_at timestamptz NOT NULL DEFAULT now(),
+        updated_at timestamptz NOT NULL DEFAULT now(),
+        deleted_at timestamptz
+      );
+    `);
+    await queryRunner.query(
+      `CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS "IDX_booking_handovers_booking" ON freight.booking_handovers (booking_id);`,
+    );
+    // At most one live handover per (booking, customer truck). EDR trucks (which
+    // aren't customer_truck_assignments) and per-booking handovers are de-duped
+    // in the service, since a NULL truck_assignment_id can't be uniquely indexed.
+    await queryRunner.query(`
+      CREATE UNIQUE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS "UQ_booking_handovers_booking_truck"
+      ON freight.booking_handovers (booking_id, truck_assignment_id)
+      WHERE deleted_at IS NULL AND truck_assignment_id IS NOT NULL;
+    `);
+  }
+
+  public async down(queryRunner: QueryRunner): Promise<void> {
+    await queryRunner.query(`DROP TABLE IF EXISTS freight.booking_handovers;`);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/migrations/1980000000000-YardCountryEnumAndRouteDirection.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/migrations/1980000000000-YardCountryEnumAndRouteDirection.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3274b4d1c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/migrations/1980000000000-YardCountryEnumAndRouteDirection.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+import { MigrationInterface, QueryRunner } from 'typeorm';
+
+/**
+ * Yard country becomes a two-value enum (Ethiopia | Djibouti) and every route
+ * freezes its trade direction from the yard countries:
+ *   Ethiopia → Djibouti = EXPORT, Djibouti → Ethiopia = IMPORT,
+ *   same country = DOMESTIC (shown as "Intercity"; disabled for scheduling
+ *   and contracts for now).
+ *
+ * Existing yard rows are normalized case-insensitively; anything mentioning
+ * Djibouti maps there, everything else maps to Ethiopia (the line only serves
+ * these two countries). A CHECK constraint keeps future writes honest.
+ */
+export class YardCountryEnumAndRouteDirection1980000000000 implements MigrationInterface {
+  name = 'YardCountryEnumAndRouteDirection1980000000000';
+
+  public async up(queryRunner: QueryRunner): Promise<void> {
+    await queryRunner.query(`
+      UPDATE freight.yards
+         SET country = CASE
+           WHEN lower(trim(country)) LIKE '%djib%' THEN 'Djibouti'
+           ELSE 'Ethiopia'
+         END
+    `);
+    await queryRunner.query(`
+      ALTER TABLE freight.yards
+        DROP CONSTRAINT IF EXISTS chk_yards_country,
+        ADD CONSTRAINT chk_yards_country CHECK (country IN ('Ethiopia', 'Djibouti'))
+    `);
+
+    await queryRunner.query(`
+      ALTER TABLE freight.routes
+        ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS direction varchar(10)
+    `);
+    await queryRunner.query(`
+      UPDATE freight.routes r
+         SET direction = CASE
+           WHEN o.country = 'Djibouti' AND d.country = 'Ethiopia' THEN 'IMPORT'
+           WHEN o.country = 'Ethiopia' AND d.country = 'Djibouti' THEN 'EXPORT'
+           ELSE 'DOMESTIC'
+         END
+        FROM freight.yards o, freight.yards d
+       WHERE o.id = r.origin_yard_id
+         AND d.id = r.destination_yard_id
+    `);
+    // Orphan origin/destination (deleted yard) — no way to classify; park as
+    // DOMESTIC, which is blocked everywhere, so nothing can schedule on it.
+    await queryRunner.query(`
+      UPDATE freight.routes SET direction = 'DOMESTIC' WHERE direction IS NULL
+    `);
+    await queryRunner.query(`
+      ALTER TABLE freight.routes
+        ALTER COLUMN direction SET NOT NULL,
+        DROP CONSTRAINT IF EXISTS chk_routes_direction,
+        ADD CONSTRAINT chk_routes_direction CHECK (direction IN ('IMPORT', 'EXPORT', 'DOMESTIC'))
+    `);
+  }
+
+  public async down(queryRunner: QueryRunner): Promise<void> {
+    await queryRunner.query(`
+      ALTER TABLE freight.routes
+        DROP CONSTRAINT IF EXISTS chk_routes_direction,
+        DROP COLUMN IF EXISTS direction
+    `);
+    await queryRunner.query(`
+      ALTER TABLE freight.yards DROP CONSTRAINT IF EXISTS chk_yards_country
+    `);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/bookings.controller.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/bookings.controller.ts
index 106b7ed5b..eda249868 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/bookings.controller.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/bookings.controller.ts
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ import { ContractViewDto } from './dto/contract-view.dto';
 import { CustomerTruckAssignmentDto } from './dto/customer-truck-assignment.dto';
 import { AddCustomerTruckDto } from './dto/add-customer-truck.dto';
 import { DepartCustomerTruckDto } from './dto/depart-customer-truck.dto';
+import { LoadCustomerTruckDto } from './dto/load-customer-truck.dto';
 import { CustomerTruckService } from './customer-truck.service';
 import { GenerateGrnDto } from './dto/generate-grn.dto';
 import { ContainerReceiptService } from './container-receipt.service';
@@ -358,6 +359,33 @@ export class BookingsController {
     return this.customerTruckService.removeTruck(id, assignmentId);
   }
 
+  @Get(':id/customer-trucks/loadable-containers')
+  @ApiOperation({ summary: 'Booking containers not yet loaded onto a truck' })
+  async loadableContainers(
+    @Param('id', ParseUUIDPipe) id: string,
+    @CurrentUser() user: TCurrentUser,
+  ) {
+    const booking = await this.bookingsService.findById(id);
+    if (!hasFreightPermission(user, FREIGHT_PERMS.bookings.view)) {
+      await this.bookingsService.assertCustomerCanAccessBooking(user?.id, booking);
+    }
+    return this.customerTruckService.getLoadableContainers(id);
+  }
+
+  @Post(':id/customer-trucks/:assignmentId/load')
+  @ApiOperation({ summary: 'Truck_dispatch: load selected containers onto a truck (staff)' })
+  async loadCustomerTruck(
+    @Param('id', ParseUUIDPipe) id: string,
+    @Param('assignmentId', ParseUUIDPipe) assignmentId: string,
+    @Body() dto: LoadCustomerTruckDto,
+    @CurrentUser() user: TCurrentUser,
+  ) {
+    if (!hasFreightPermission(user, FREIGHT_PERMS.bookings.view)) {
+      throw new ForbiddenException('Only warehouse staff can load a truck');
+    }
+    return this.customerTruckService.loadTruck(id, assignmentId, dto);
+  }
+
   @Post(':id/customer-trucks/:assignmentId/depart')
   @ApiOperation({
     summary: 'Register an import truck leaving: containers loaded + weighed gross (staff)',
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 7a6169b7b..d4791baf7 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/bookings.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/bookings.service.ts
@@ -176,6 +176,44 @@ export class BookingsService {
   }
 
   /** Resolve trade direction from yard countries; reject client mismatch. */
+  /**
+   * An intercity corridor is valid when both yards are Ethiopian and at least
+   * one non-retired route passes the origin strictly before the destination in
+   * its milestone order — that is the corridor an import/export train can
+   * serve the booking on.
+   */
+  private async assertIntercityCorridorExists(
+    originYardId: string,
+    destinationYardId: string,
+  ): Promise<void> {
+    const yards = await this.dataSource.getRepository(Yard).find({
+      where: { id: In([originYardId, destinationYardId]) },
+    });
+    if (yards.some((y) => y.country !== 'Ethiopia')) {
+      throw new BadRequestException(
+        'Intercity bookings only run between Ethiopian yards',
+      );
+    }
+    const rows: Array<{ id: string }> = await this.dataSource.query(
+      `SELECT r.id
+         FROM freight.routes r
+         JOIN freight.route_milestones mo
+           ON mo.route_id = r.id AND mo.yard_id = $1 AND mo.deleted_at IS NULL
+         JOIN freight.route_milestones md
+           ON md.route_id = r.id AND md.yard_id = $2 AND md.deleted_at IS NULL
+        WHERE mo.sequence_no < md.sequence_no
+          AND r.status = 'AVAILABLE'
+          AND r.deleted_at IS NULL
+        LIMIT 1`,
+      [originYardId, destinationYardId],
+    );
+    if (rows.length === 0) {
+      throw new BadRequestException(
+        'No route passes through this origin and destination in order — intercity service is not available on this corridor',
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
   private async resolveTradeDirectionForBooking(
     originYardId: string,
     destinationYardId: string,
@@ -607,6 +645,23 @@ export class BookingsService {
       dto.tradeDirection,
     );
 
+    // Intercity (DOMESTIC) bookings never get their own train — they ride on a
+    // passing import/export train, so there is no booking window and no date to
+    // pin. All we require at creation is that the corridor actually lies on a
+    // route (origin before destination in some route's milestone order); staff
+    // accept the booking onto a concrete train at finalize time.
+    if (tradeDirection === 'DOMESTIC') {
+      if (dto.scheduledDate || dto.trainScheduleId) {
+        throw new BadRequestException(
+          'Intercity bookings cannot pin a date or schedule — staff assign them to a passing train later',
+        );
+      }
+      await this.assertIntercityCorridorExists(
+        dto.originYardId,
+        dto.destinationYardId,
+      );
+    }
+
     // Stamp the operational profile this booking belongs to (importer/exporter)
     // so the customer portal can scope lists/KPIs to the active mode. Best-effort
     // for non-government bookings with a resolved company; never blocks creation.
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/container-receipt.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/container-receipt.service.ts
index fde3ab797..fea73603a 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/container-receipt.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/container-receipt.service.ts
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ export class ContainerReceiptService {
           SET received_to_port = true,
               received_at = COALESCE(bcu.received_at, NOW()),
               updated_at = NOW()
-         FROM freight.booking_containers bc,
+         FROM freight.booking_container bc,
               freight.customer_truck_containers ctc
         WHERE bc.id = bcu.booking_container_id
           AND bc.booking_id = $1
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ export class ContainerReceiptService {
               bcu.received_at AS "receivedAt",
               bcu.grn_number AS "grnNumber"
          FROM freight.booking_container_units bcu
-         JOIN freight.booking_containers bc
+         JOIN freight.booking_container bc
            ON bc.id = bcu.booking_container_id AND bc.deleted_at IS NULL
         WHERE bc.booking_id = $1
           AND bcu.deleted_at IS NULL
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ export class ContainerReceiptService {
       const pending: ReceivedUnitRow[] = await manager.query(
         `SELECT bcu.id, bcu.container_number AS "containerNumber"
            FROM freight.booking_container_units bcu
-           JOIN freight.booking_containers bc
+           JOIN freight.booking_container bc
              ON bc.id = bcu.booking_container_id AND bc.deleted_at IS NULL
           WHERE bc.booking_id = $1
             AND bcu.deleted_at IS NULL
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ export class ContainerReceiptService {
       const [{ batches }]: Array<{ batches: string }> = await manager.query(
         `SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT bcu.grn_number) AS batches
            FROM freight.booking_container_units bcu
-           JOIN freight.booking_containers bc
+           JOIN freight.booking_container bc
              ON bc.id = bcu.booking_container_id AND bc.deleted_at IS NULL
           WHERE bc.booking_id = $1 AND bcu.grn_number IS NOT NULL AND bcu.deleted_at IS NULL`,
         [bookingId],
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ export class ContainerReceiptService {
       const [{ remaining }]: Array<{ remaining: string }> = await manager.query(
         `SELECT COUNT(*) AS remaining
            FROM freight.booking_container_units bcu
-           JOIN freight.booking_containers bc
+           JOIN freight.booking_container bc
              ON bc.id = bcu.booking_container_id AND bc.deleted_at IS NULL
           WHERE bc.booking_id = $1 AND bcu.deleted_at IS NULL AND bcu.grn_number IS NULL`,
         [bookingId],
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/customer-truck.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/customer-truck.service.ts
index 5d0650219..6f0ec6f55 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/customer-truck.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/customer-truck.service.ts
@@ -198,6 +198,87 @@ export class CustomerTruckService {
     return this.listTrucks(bookingId);
   }
 
+  /** Booking container numbers not yet loaded onto any truck. */
+  async getLoadableContainers(bookingId: string): Promise<string[]> {
+    const [all, assigned] = await Promise.all([
+      this.bookingContainerNumbers(bookingId),
+      this.assignedContainerNumbers(bookingId),
+    ]);
+    const taken = new Set(assigned);
+    return all.filter((n) => !taken.has(n));
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Truck_dispatch (load): assign the selected containers to a truck after it has
+   * arrived, and set a provisional gross weight from their VGM. The truck is
+   * weighed for real on departure. Locked once the truck has left.
+   */
+  async loadTruck(
+    bookingId: string,
+    assignmentId: string,
+    dto: { containerNumbers: string[] },
+  ): Promise<CustomerTruckAssignment[]> {
+    await this.loadBookingGuard(bookingId);
+    const assignment = await this.assignments.findByIdWithContainers(assignmentId);
+    if (!assignment || assignment.bookingId !== bookingId) {
+      throw new NotFoundException('Truck assignment not found for this booking');
+    }
+    if (assignment.departedAt) {
+      throw new ConflictException('This truck has already left — its load is locked');
+    }
+
+    const requested = (dto.containerNumbers ?? []).map((n) => n.trim().toUpperCase());
+    if (!requested.length) {
+      throw new BadRequestException('Select at least one container to load onto the truck');
+    }
+    const bookingNumbers = await this.bookingContainerNumbers(bookingId);
+    for (const n of requested) {
+      if (!bookingNumbers.includes(n)) {
+        throw new BadRequestException(`Container ${n} is not one of this booking's containers`);
+      }
+    }
+    const elsewhere = await this.assignedContainerNumbersExcept(bookingId, assignmentId);
+    for (const n of requested) {
+      if (elsewhere.includes(n)) {
+        throw new ConflictException(`Container ${n} is already loaded onto another truck`);
+      }
+    }
+
+    const grossKg = await this.vgmKgForContainers(bookingId, requested);
+    await this.dataSource.transaction(async (manager) => {
+      await manager.getRepository(CustomerTruckContainer).softDelete({ assignmentId });
+      await manager.getRepository(CustomerTruckContainer).save(
+        requested.map((containerNumber) =>
+          manager.getRepository(CustomerTruckContainer).create({
+            assignmentId,
+            bookingId,
+            containerNumber,
+          }),
+        ),
+      );
+      // Provisional gross from the loaded containers' VGM — overridden by the
+      // weighed gross on departure.
+      await manager.getRepository(CustomerTruckAssignment).update(assignmentId, {
+        grossWeightKg: grossKg,
+      });
+    });
+    return this.listTrucks(bookingId);
+  }
+
+  private async vgmKgForContainers(bookingId: string, numbers: string[]): Promise<number> {
+    const [row]: Array<{ kg: string }> = await this.dataSource.query(
+      `SELECT COALESCE(SUM(bcu.vgm_tons), 0) * 1000 AS kg
+         FROM freight.booking_container_units bcu
+         JOIN freight.booking_container bc
+           ON bc.id = bcu.booking_container_id AND bc.deleted_at IS NULL
+        WHERE bc.booking_id = $1
+          AND bcu.container_number = ANY($2::varchar[])
+          AND bcu.deleted_at IS NULL`,
+      [bookingId, numbers],
+    );
+    return Number(row?.kg ?? 0);
+  }
+
   /**
    * Mark the truck carrying `containerNumber` as arrived. Called by the warehouse
    * receive flow. When every truck on the booking has arrived, the booking-level
@@ -288,7 +369,7 @@ export class CustomerTruckService {
     const rows: Array<{ containerNumber: string }> = await this.dataSource.query(
       `SELECT bcu.container_number AS "containerNumber"
          FROM freight.booking_container_units bcu
-         JOIN freight.booking_containers bc
+         JOIN freight.booking_container bc
            ON bc.id = bcu.booking_container_id AND bc.deleted_at IS NULL
         WHERE bc.booking_id = $1 AND bcu.deleted_at IS NULL`,
       [bookingId],
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/dto/load-customer-truck.dto.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/dto/load-customer-truck.dto.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..11c80f687
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/bookings/dto/load-customer-truck.dto.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+import { ArrayMinSize, ArrayUnique, IsArray, Matches } from 'class-validator';
+
+/** Containers loaded onto a truck at Truck_dispatch (after arrival, before it leaves). */
+export class LoadCustomerTruckDto {
+  @IsArray()
+  @ArrayMinSize(1)
+  @ArrayUnique()
+  @Matches(/^[A-Z]{4}\d{7}$/, {
+    each: true,
+    message: 'each container number must match ISO container format, e.g. ABCD1234567',
+  })
+  containerNumbers!: string[];
+}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contract-booking.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contract-booking.service.ts
index 873daaf15..5e80b1301 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contract-booking.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contract-booking.service.ts
@@ -119,12 +119,27 @@ export class ContractBookingService {
     const generalCustoms =
       contract.contractKind === 'GENERAL' && Boolean(contract.customsClearingEnabled);
 
+    // Intercity (DOMESTIC) bookings ride on a passing import/export train:
+    // there is no window and no date — staff accept them onto a train at
+    // finalize time, so both the window gate and scheduledDate are skipped.
+    const isIntercity = contract.tradeDirection === 'DOMESTIC';
+    if (isIntercity && dto.scheduledDate) {
+      throw new BadRequestException(
+        'Intercity bookings do not pick a date — staff assign them to a passing train',
+      );
+    }
+    // Every other direction keeps the binding shipment day (the DTO field went
+    // optional only for intercity).
+    if (!isIntercity && !dto.scheduledDate) {
+      throw new BadRequestException('A binding shipment day is required');
+    }
+
     // Booking-window gate (config-driven): an operations booking may only be
     // created while the route's booking window is open — import: the day's window
     // (windowOpenHour EAT, importWindowLeadDays before departure, windowDurationHours);
     // export: within exportBookingLeadHours of departure. Customs Path B bookings
     // enter clearance first and are scheduled later, so they are not gated here.
-    if (!generalCustoms) {
+    if (!generalCustoms && !isIntercity) {
       await this.trainSchedulingService.assertBookingWindowOpen({
         originYardId: route?.originYardId ?? null,
         destinationYardId: route?.destinationYardId ?? null,
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contracts.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contracts.service.ts
index 73360f7f5..0e81f8dca 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contracts.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/contracts.service.ts
@@ -8,10 +8,14 @@ import { InjectDataSource } from '@nestjs/typeorm';
 import { DataSource } from 'typeorm';
 import { insertWithGeneratedReference } from '@edr/api-common';
 
+import { YardCountry } from '@edr/types';
+
+import { deriveTradeDirection } from '../../common/derive-trade-direction.util';
 import { CompaniesService } from '../companies/companies.service';
 import { CompanyProfile, ProfileType } from '../companies/entities/company-profile.entity';
 import { CompanyStatus } from '../companies/entities/company.entity';
 import { ServiceType } from '../rule-engine/entities/service-type.entity';
+import { Yard } from '../rule-engine/entities/yard.entity';
 import { FilesService } from '../files/files.service';
 import { MinioService } from '../minio/minio.service';
 import { ContractsRepository } from './contracts.repository';
@@ -110,6 +114,49 @@ export class ContractsService {
     }
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Every route must match the contract's declared trade direction as derived
+   * from the yard countries (IMPORT = DJ→ET, EXPORT = ET→DJ, DOMESTIC =
+   * intercity). Intercity is Ethiopian-domestic only: both yards must be in
+   * Ethiopia — a Djibouti-internal pair is rejected. Direction mismatches
+   * (e.g. an export lane on an import contract) are rejected for every kind.
+   */
+  private async assertRoutesMatchDirection(
+    tradeDirection: string,
+    routes: CreateContractDto['routes'],
+  ): Promise<void> {
+    const yardIds = [
+      ...new Set(routes.flatMap((r) => [r.originYardId, r.destinationYardId])),
+    ];
+    const yards = await this.dataSource
+      .getRepository(Yard)
+      .find({ where: yardIds.map((id) => ({ id })) });
+    const yardById = new Map(yards.map((y) => [y.id, y]));
+
+    for (const route of routes) {
+      const origin = yardById.get(route.originYardId);
+      const destination = yardById.get(route.destinationYardId);
+      if (!origin || !destination) {
+        throw new BadRequestException('Route references a yard that does not exist');
+      }
+      const derived = deriveTradeDirection(origin, destination);
+      if (derived !== tradeDirection) {
+        throw new BadRequestException(
+          `Route ${origin.label} → ${destination.label} is ${derived === 'DOMESTIC' ? 'an intercity' : `an ${derived.toLowerCase()}`} lane and does not match the contract's ${tradeDirection === 'DOMESTIC' ? 'intercity' : tradeDirection.toLowerCase()} direction`,
+        );
+      }
+      if (
+        derived === 'DOMESTIC' &&
+        (origin.country !== YardCountry.ETHIOPIA ||
+          destination.country !== YardCountry.ETHIOPIA)
+      ) {
+        throw new BadRequestException(
+          `Route ${origin.label} → ${destination.label}: intercity service only runs between Ethiopian yards`,
+        );
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
   /** Create a new contract (DRAFT) with its routes and cargo-scope rows. */
   async create(
     dto: CreateContractDto,
@@ -144,6 +191,7 @@ export class ContractsService {
 
     this.assertCargoScopeShape(dto.freightType, dto.cargoScope);
     this.assertRouteShape(dto.contractKind, dto.routes);
+    await this.assertRoutesMatchDirection(dto.tradeDirection, dto.routes);
 
     // Stamp the operational profile (importer/exporter) for portal scoping.
     let companyProfileId: string | null = null;
@@ -175,6 +223,13 @@ export class ContractsService {
 
     // Customs clearing is owned by the service type, not the customer.
     const includesCustoms = await this.resolveIncludesCustoms(dto.serviceTypeId);
+    // Intercity never crosses a border, so a customs-including service type is
+    // a contradiction — the wizard hides them, the API enforces it.
+    if (dto.tradeDirection === 'DOMESTIC' && includesCustoms) {
+      throw new BadRequestException(
+        'Intercity contracts cannot use a service type that includes customs clearing',
+      );
+    }
 
     // An explicit reference is caller-chosen — a collision there is a real
     // conflict and should surface. Auto-generated references retry past a
@@ -360,6 +415,12 @@ export class ContractsService {
 
     if (dto.cargoScope) this.assertCargoScopeShape(freightType, dto.cargoScope);
     if (dto.routes) this.assertRouteShape(contractKind, dto.routes);
+    if (dto.routes) {
+      await this.assertRoutesMatchDirection(
+        dto.tradeDirection ?? existing.tradeDirection,
+        dto.routes,
+      );
+    }
 
     const updates: Record<string, unknown> = {
       contractKind,
@@ -385,6 +446,11 @@ export class ContractsService {
     const includesCustoms = await this.resolveIncludesCustoms(
       dto.serviceTypeId ?? existing.serviceTypeId,
     );
+    if ((dto.tradeDirection ?? existing.tradeDirection) === 'DOMESTIC' && includesCustoms) {
+      throw new BadRequestException(
+        'Intercity contracts cannot use a service type that includes customs clearing',
+      );
+    }
     updates.customsClearingEnabled = includesCustoms;
     updates.customsClearingAgent = includesCustoms
       ? null
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/dto/create-booking-under-contract.dto.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/dto/create-booking-under-contract.dto.ts
index ac404c9df..e3130da95 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/dto/create-booking-under-contract.dto.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/contracts/dto/create-booking-under-contract.dto.ts
@@ -120,9 +120,14 @@ export class CreateBookingUnderContractDto {
   @IsUUID()
   contractRouteId?: string;
 
-  @ApiProperty({ description: 'Binding shipment day.', example: '2026-07-15' })
+  @ApiPropertyOptional({
+    description:
+      'Binding shipment day. Omitted for intercity (DOMESTIC) bookings — staff assign a passing train later.',
+    example: '2026-07-15',
+  })
+  @IsOptional()
   @IsDateString()
-  scheduledDate!: string;
+  scheduledDate?: string;
 
   @ApiPropertyOptional({ type: [CreateBookingContainerLineDto] })
   @IsOptional()
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/routes/entities/route.entity.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/routes/entities/route.entity.ts
index 9c25778dc..a79a54503 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/routes/entities/route.entity.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/routes/entities/route.entity.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { BaseEntity } from '@edr/api-common';
+import type { ScheduleTradeDirection } from '@edr/types';
 import { Column, Entity, Index, JoinColumn, ManyToOne, OneToMany } from 'typeorm';
 
 import { Yard } from '../../rule-engine/entities/yard.entity';
@@ -26,6 +27,14 @@ export class Route extends BaseEntity {
   @Column({ name: 'status', type: 'varchar', length: 32, default: 'AVAILABLE' })
   status!: RouteStatus;
 
+  /**
+   * Trade direction frozen from the yard countries at create/update
+   * (ET→DJ = EXPORT, DJ→ET = IMPORT, same country = DOMESTIC/"Intercity").
+   * Consumers (scheduling, booking windows) read this instead of re-deriving.
+   */
+  @Column({ name: 'direction', type: 'varchar', length: 10 })
+  direction!: ScheduleTradeDirection;
+
   @OneToMany(() => RouteMilestone, (milestone) => milestone.route, { cascade: false })
   milestones?: RouteMilestone[];
 }
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/routes/routes.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/routes/routes.service.ts
index 937ffb0ae..34d007c63 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/routes/routes.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/routes/routes.service.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { BadRequestException, Injectable, NotFoundException } from '@nestjs/common';
 import { DataSource } from 'typeorm';
 
+import { deriveTradeDirection } from '../../common/derive-trade-direction.util';
 import { Yard } from '../rule-engine/entities/yard.entity';
 import { CreateRouteDto } from './dto/create-route.dto';
 import { FilterRoutesDto } from './dto/filter-routes.dto';
@@ -83,6 +84,7 @@ export class RoutesService {
           originYardId: validated.originYardId,
           destinationYardId: validated.destinationYardId,
           status: dto.status ?? 'AVAILABLE',
+          direction: validated.direction,
         }),
       );
 
@@ -115,6 +117,7 @@ export class RoutesService {
         originYardId: milestoneInput?.originYardId ?? existing.originYardId,
         destinationYardId:
           milestoneInput?.destinationYardId ?? existing.destinationYardId,
+        ...(milestoneInput ? { direction: milestoneInput.direction } : {}),
         ...(dto.status !== undefined ? { status: dto.status } : {}),
       });
 
@@ -187,9 +190,18 @@ export class RoutesService {
       throw new BadRequestException('Origin and destination yards must be different');
     }
 
+    const originYardId = normalized[0].yardId;
+    const destinationYardId = normalized[normalized.length - 1].yardId;
+    const yardById = new Map(yards.map((yard) => [yard.id, yard]));
+    const direction = deriveTradeDirection(
+      yardById.get(originYardId) ?? { country: null },
+      yardById.get(destinationYardId) ?? { country: null },
+    );
+
     return {
-      originYardId: normalized[0].yardId,
-      destinationYardId: normalized[normalized.length - 1].yardId,
+      originYardId,
+      destinationYardId,
+      direction,
       milestones: normalized,
     };
   }
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/rule-engine/dto/create-yard.dto.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/rule-engine/dto/create-yard.dto.ts
index 38f2bc58b..53583e3e8 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/rule-engine/dto/create-yard.dto.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/rule-engine/dto/create-yard.dto.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
+import { YardCountry } from '@edr/types';
 import { ApiProperty, ApiPropertyOptional } from '@nestjs/swagger';
-import { IsBoolean, IsInt, IsOptional, IsString, IsUUID, MaxLength, Min } from 'class-validator';
+import { IsBoolean, IsEnum, IsInt, IsOptional, IsUUID, MaxLength, Min, IsString } from 'class-validator';
 
 export class CreateYardDto {
   @ApiProperty({ description: 'Customer-facing yard label', maxLength: 100 })
@@ -7,10 +8,9 @@ export class CreateYardDto {
   @MaxLength(100)
   label!: string;
 
-  @ApiProperty({ description: 'Country where the yard is located, e.g. Ethiopia, Djibouti', maxLength: 50 })
-  @IsString()
-  @MaxLength(50)
-  country!: string;
+  @ApiProperty({ enum: YardCountry, description: 'Country where the yard is located' })
+  @IsEnum(YardCountry)
+  country!: YardCountry;
 
   @ApiPropertyOptional({ default: true })
   @IsOptional()
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/rule-engine/entities/yard.entity.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/rule-engine/entities/yard.entity.ts
index 249aa1847..3f7f1ae97 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/rule-engine/entities/yard.entity.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/rule-engine/entities/yard.entity.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { BaseEntity } from '@edr/api-common';
+import { YardCountry } from '@edr/types';
 import { Column, Entity, Index } from 'typeorm';
 
 @Entity({ schema: 'freight', name: 'yards' })
@@ -12,8 +13,11 @@ export class Yard extends BaseEntity {
   @Column({ name: 'label', type: 'varchar', length: 100 })
   label!: string;
 
+  // Constrained to YardCountry by DTO validation + a DB CHECK constraint;
+  // route/schedule trade direction is derived from this value. Typed as the
+  // enum's literal values so plain strings from seeds/queries still fit.
   @Column({ name: 'country', type: 'varchar', length: 50 })
-  country!: string;
+  country!: `${YardCountry}`;
 
   @Column({ name: 'is_active', type: 'boolean', default: true })
   isActive!: boolean;
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/batch-window.util.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/batch-window.util.ts
index dfbcfcb6d..0fdacc572 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/batch-window.util.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/batch-window.util.ts
@@ -282,15 +282,33 @@ export function computeImportWindowTimes(
   return { windowOpensAt: opensAt, windowClosesAt: closesAt };
 }
 
-/** Export booking window: FCFS from `exportBookingLeadHours` before departure until departure. */
+/**
+ * Export booking window: a single FCFS window from `exportBookingLeadHours`
+ * before departure until departure. The open honours the daily desk hours —
+ * when the raw lead instant lands while the desk is shut, the window opens at
+ * the next desk opening instead (capped at departure, so a config whose desk
+ * never opens before the train leaves yields a zero-length window rather than
+ * one that outlives the train).
+ */
 export function computeExportWindowTimes(
   departure: Date,
-  cfg: { exportBookingLeadHours: number },
+  cfg: {
+    exportBookingLeadHours: number;
+    windowOpenHour: number;
+    windowCloseHour: number;
+  },
 ): InitialWindowTimes {
-  return {
-    windowOpensAt: new Date(departure.getTime() - cfg.exportBookingLeadHours * 3_600_000),
-    windowClosesAt: departure,
-  };
+  const rawOpen = new Date(
+    departure.getTime() - cfg.exportBookingLeadHours * 3_600_000,
+  );
+  let opensAt = officeHoursOpen(rawOpen, {
+    windowOpenHour: cfg.windowOpenHour,
+    windowCloseHour: cfg.windowCloseHour,
+  });
+  if (opensAt.getTime() > departure.getTime()) {
+    opensAt = departure;
+  }
+  return { windowOpensAt: opensAt, windowClosesAt: departure };
 }
 
 /**
@@ -421,7 +439,9 @@ function boardWindowFromInterval(start: Date, end: Date): BoardWindow {
  * after each close, on the same booking day, until departure. This mirrors
  * `computeImportWindowTimes` + `concludeCycle`'s reopen math so the board shows the
  * exact windows the engine runs.
- * EXPORT: a single FCFS window from `departure − exportBookingLeadHours` to departure.
+ * EXPORT: a single FCFS window from `departure − exportBookingLeadHours` to departure,
+ * with the open shifted to the next desk opening when it lands outside office hours
+ * (same math as `computeExportWindowTimes`).
  *
  * `anchorOpensAt` pins the FIRST window's open time to the schedule's stored
  * `windowOpensAt` instead of recomputing it from config. Pass it so the board
@@ -436,8 +456,7 @@ export function listConfigBookingWindows(
 ): BoardWindow[] {
   if (direction === 'EXPORT') {
     const start =
-      anchorOpensAt ??
-      new Date(departure.getTime() - cfg.exportBookingLeadHours * 3_600_000);
+      anchorOpensAt ?? computeExportWindowTimes(departure, cfg).windowOpensAt;
     return [boardWindowFromInterval(start, departure)];
   }
 
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 e6af6c4a0..2d243c819 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
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ import { BookingSplitService } from './booking-split.service';
 import { MAX_TEU_SLOTS_PER_WAGON } from './wagon-plan.util';
 
 /** A train's remaining capacity along the three physical limits the batch enforces. */
-interface Capacity {
+export interface Capacity {
   wagons: number;
   weightTons: number;
   lengthMeters: number;
@@ -1444,6 +1444,48 @@ export class BookingBatchService implements OnModuleInit {
       await this.fillSchedule(booking.trainScheduleId);
   }
 
+  // ---- intercity ride-along API ---------------------------------------------
+
+  /**
+   * Remaining capacity budget (wagons / weight / length) for a schedule, and
+   * the per-booking need calculator — exposed for the intercity accept flow,
+   * which reserves ride-along bookings onto import/export trains outside the
+   * batch engine.
+   */
+  async intercityCapacity(scheduleId: string): Promise<{
+    budget: Capacity;
+    needFor: (booking: Booking) => Capacity;
+  } | null> {
+    const schedule =
+      await this.trainSchedulesRepository.findByIdWithFullGraph(scheduleId);
+    const locomotive = schedule?.trainSet?.locomotive;
+    if (!schedule || !locomotive) return null;
+    const rules = await this.loadGlobalRules();
+    const wagonLengths = await this.loadWagonLengths();
+    const limits = await this.capacityLimits(locomotive, rules);
+    const budget = await this.remainingCapacity(schedule, limits, wagonLengths);
+    return { budget, needFor: (booking) => this.needFor(booking, wagonLengths) };
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Accept an intercity booking onto the given train. Commercial bookings get
+   * the same pay-window lifecycle as a batch reservation (deadline, invoice
+   * due-date sync, pay-now notify, settle on the window tick), so payment →
+   * allocation needs no special path. Government bookings allocate directly.
+   */
+  async acceptIntercity(booking: Booking, scheduleId: string): Promise<void> {
+    if (booking.isGovernment) {
+      await this.dataSource
+        .getRepository(Booking)
+        .update(booking.id, { trainScheduleId: scheduleId });
+      booking.trainScheduleId = scheduleId;
+      await this.allocate(scheduleId, booking, 'gov');
+      return;
+    }
+    await this.reserve(booking, scheduleId);
+    this.armSettle(scheduleId);
+  }
+
   // ---- mutations ------------------------------------------------------------
 
   /**
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
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d1c1d34a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/booking-window.gateway.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+import {
+  BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_EVENTS,
+  BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_NAMESPACE,
+  type BookingWindowPhaseEvent,
+} from '@edr/types';
+import { Logger } from '@nestjs/common';
+import {
+  OnGatewayConnection,
+  WebSocketGateway,
+  WebSocketServer,
+} from '@nestjs/websockets';
+import { Server, Socket } from 'socket.io';
+
+import { WsAuthService } from '../notification-inbox/ws-auth.service';
+import { TrainSchedule } from '../train-schedules/entities/train-schedule.entity';
+
+/**
+ * Server → client push for booking-window state changes. Same handshake model
+ * as the notifications gateway: clients only listen, the token is verified on
+ * connect. Events are broadcast namespace-wide — window state is route-scoped
+ * public information for signed-in users, and clients filter/invalidate their
+ * own queries.
+ */
+@WebSocketGateway({
+  namespace: BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_NAMESPACE,
+  cors: { origin: true, credentials: true },
+})
+export class BookingWindowGateway implements OnGatewayConnection {
+  private readonly logger = new Logger(BookingWindowGateway.name);
+
+  @WebSocketServer()
+  private readonly server!: Server;
+
+  constructor(private readonly wsAuth: WsAuthService) {}
+
+  async handleConnection(socket: Socket): Promise<void> {
+    const userId = await this.wsAuth.resolveUserId(this.extractToken(socket));
+    if (!userId) {
+      this.logger.debug(`Rejected booking-window handshake ${socket.id}`);
+      socket.disconnect(true);
+      return;
+    }
+    socket.data.userId = userId;
+  }
+
+  /** Push a schedule's current window state to every connected client. */
+  emitPhase(schedule: TrainSchedule): void {
+    const payload: BookingWindowPhaseEvent = {
+      scheduleId: schedule.id,
+      originYardId: schedule.originStationId,
+      destinationYardId: schedule.destinationStationId,
+      direction: schedule.direction ?? null,
+      phase: (schedule.windowPhase ?? 'PRE_WINDOW') as BookingWindowPhaseEvent['phase'],
+      bookingWindowStatus: schedule.bookingWindowStatus ?? null,
+      bookingCycleNo: schedule.bookingCycleNo,
+      windowOpensAt: schedule.windowOpensAt?.toISOString() ?? null,
+      windowClosesAt: schedule.windowClosesAt?.toISOString() ?? null,
+      docReviewEndsAt: schedule.docReviewEndsAt?.toISOString() ?? null,
+      paymentPhaseEndsAt: schedule.paymentPhaseEndsAt?.toISOString() ?? null,
+      scheduledDepartureDate: schedule.scheduledDepartureDate?.toISOString() ?? null,
+    };
+    this.server.emit(BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_EVENTS.PHASE, payload);
+  }
+
+  private extractToken(socket: Socket): string | undefined {
+    const authToken = socket.handshake.auth?.token as string | undefined;
+    if (authToken) return authToken;
+
+    const queryToken = socket.handshake.query?.token;
+    if (typeof queryToken === 'string') return queryToken;
+
+    const header = socket.handshake.headers?.authorization;
+    if (header?.startsWith('Bearer ')) return header.slice(7);
+
+    return undefined;
+  }
+}
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 449c67219..12a78047c 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
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import { TrainSchedule } from '../train-schedules/entities/train-schedule.entity
 import { TrainSchedulesRepository } from '../train-schedules/train-schedules.repository';
 import { NotificationsService } from '../notifications/notifications.service';
 import { BookingBatchService } from './booking-batch.service';
+import { BookingWindowGateway } from './booking-window.gateway';
 import { TrainSchedulingService, effectiveWindowConfig } from './train-scheduling.service';
 import { BATCH_TIMEZONE } from './booking-batch.constants';
 import { eatDay, nextCycleOpensAt, type OfficeHours } from './batch-window.util';
@@ -40,6 +41,7 @@ export class BookingWindowService implements OnModuleInit {
     private readonly bookingBatchService: BookingBatchService,
     private readonly trainSchedulingService: TrainSchedulingService,
     private readonly notifications: NotificationsService,
+    private readonly gateway: BookingWindowGateway,
   ) {}
 
   async onModuleInit(): Promise<void> {
@@ -48,7 +50,10 @@ export class BookingWindowService implements OnModuleInit {
     );
   }
 
-  @Cron('* * * * *', { name: 'booking-window-tick', timeZone: BATCH_TIMEZONE })
+  // 10-second cadence: every transition is derived from persisted timestamps
+  // and applied idempotently, so a finer tick only shrinks the lag between a
+  // deadline passing and the phase actually moving (was a full minute).
+  @Cron('*/10 * * * * *', { name: 'booking-window-tick', timeZone: BATCH_TIMEZONE })
   async tick(): Promise<void> {
     if (this.ticking) return;
     this.ticking = true;
@@ -89,9 +94,10 @@ export class BookingWindowService implements OnModuleInit {
 
       await this.settleOverdueReservations();
 
-      // Legacy fill (DOMESTIC / pre-migration schedules) every 5th tick.
+      // Legacy fill (DOMESTIC / pre-migration schedules) every 5 minutes
+      // (30 ticks at the 10-second cadence).
       this.tickCount += 1;
-      if (this.tickCount % 5 === 0) {
+      if (this.tickCount % 30 === 0) {
         await this.bookingBatchService.runBatchFill();
       }
     } finally {
@@ -151,6 +157,9 @@ export class BookingWindowService implements OnModuleInit {
           ? await this.advanceExport(schedule, now)
           : await this.advanceImport(schedule, cfg, now);
       if (!advanced) return;
+      // Push the new window state to portal home / backoffice GL sections so
+      // they refresh instantly instead of waiting out their poll interval.
+      this.gateway.emitPhase(schedule);
     }
   }
 
@@ -169,7 +178,9 @@ export class BookingWindowService implements OnModuleInit {
         await this.bookingBatchService.setWindow(schedule.id, 'OPEN');
         schedule.bookingWindowStatus = 'OPEN';
       }
-      await this.notifyWindowOpened(schedule);
+      // Fire-and-forget: a slow SMS/email gateway must not stall the tick loop
+      // (the `ticking` guard would otherwise delay every schedule's transition).
+      void this.notifyWindowOpened(schedule);
       this.logger.log(`Export booking window opened for schedule ${schedule.id}`);
       return true;
     }
@@ -216,7 +227,8 @@ export class BookingWindowService implements OnModuleInit {
         schedule.bookingWindowStatus = 'OPEN';
       }
       // Only announce the first opening of the day; reopen cycles don't re-notify.
-      if (schedule.bookingCycleNo === 1) await this.notifyWindowOpened(schedule);
+      // Fire-and-forget so a slow SMS/email gateway never stalls the tick loop.
+      if (schedule.bookingCycleNo === 1) void this.notifyWindowOpened(schedule);
       this.logger.log(
         `Import booking window opened for schedule ${schedule.id} (cycle ${schedule.bookingCycleNo})`,
       );
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/dto/accept-intercity-bookings.dto.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/dto/accept-intercity-bookings.dto.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bf1cec26d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/dto/accept-intercity-bookings.dto.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+import { ApiProperty } from '@nestjs/swagger';
+import { ArrayNotEmpty, IsArray, IsUUID } from 'class-validator';
+
+export class AcceptIntercityBookingsDto {
+  @ApiProperty({
+    type: [String],
+    description:
+      'Waiting intercity booking ids to accept onto this train, in priority order',
+  })
+  @IsArray()
+  @ArrayNotEmpty()
+  @IsUUID('4', { each: true })
+  bookingIds!: string[];
+}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/dto/update-schedule-window-rule.dto.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/dto/update-schedule-window-rule.dto.ts
index 9232de29e..a0371178f 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/dto/update-schedule-window-rule.dto.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/dto/update-schedule-window-rule.dto.ts
@@ -59,4 +59,15 @@ export class UpdateScheduleWindowRuleDto {
   @IsInt()
   @Min(0)
   importWindowLeadDays?: number;
+
+  @ApiPropertyOptional({
+    example: 24,
+    description:
+      'Hours before departure the single FCFS export window opens (EXPORT schedules; re-derives the window start)',
+  })
+  @IsOptional()
+  @Type(() => Number)
+  @IsInt()
+  @Min(1)
+  exportBookingLeadHours?: number;
 }
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/intercity.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/intercity.service.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..659eea456
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/intercity.service.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,367 @@
+import {
+  BadRequestException,
+  Injectable,
+  Logger,
+  NotFoundException,
+} from '@nestjs/common';
+import { InjectDataSource } from '@nestjs/typeorm';
+import { DataSource } from 'typeorm';
+
+import { Booking } from '../bookings/entities/booking.entity';
+import { RouteMilestone } from '../routes/entities/route-milestone.entity';
+import { TrainSchedule } from '../train-schedules/entities/train-schedule.entity';
+import { BookingBatchService, type Capacity } from './booking-batch.service';
+import { TrainCheckpointEvent } from './entities/train-checkpoint-event.entity';
+
+/**
+ * Intercity (DOMESTIC) ride-along: intercity bookings never get their own
+ * train — they ride a passing import/export schedule whose route milestones
+ * contain the booking's origin strictly before its destination.
+ *
+ * Flow: the customer books a corridor with no date; at finalize time staff see
+ * every waiting intercity booking whose corridor lies on the schedule's route,
+ * with its wagon/weight/length need against the train's remaining capacity;
+ * accepting reserves it (pay window → payment → allocation, same lifecycle as
+ * a batch reservation). Cargo is loaded manually when the train reaches the
+ * booking's origin yard and unloaded at its destination yard.
+ */
+@Injectable()
+export class IntercityService {
+  private readonly logger = new Logger(IntercityService.name);
+
+  constructor(
+    @InjectDataSource() private readonly dataSource: DataSource,
+    private readonly bookingBatchService: BookingBatchService,
+  ) {}
+
+  /**
+   * Waiting intercity bookings this schedule could carry, with the train's
+   * remaining capacity along all three axes (wagons, weight, length) and each
+   * booking's need, so staff can pick what fits.
+   */
+  async listCandidates(scheduleId: string) {
+    const schedule = await this.getSchedule(scheduleId);
+    const milestoneSeq = await this.routeMilestoneSequence(schedule);
+    const capacity = await this.bookingBatchService.intercityCapacity(scheduleId);
+
+    const waiting = milestoneSeq
+      ? await this.findWaitingIntercityBookings(milestoneSeq)
+      : [];
+    const accepted = await this.findAcceptedIntercityBookings(scheduleId);
+
+    return {
+      scheduleId,
+      routeId: schedule.routeId ?? null,
+      remaining: capacity?.budget ?? null,
+      candidates: waiting.map((booking) => {
+        const need = capacity?.needFor(booking) ?? null;
+        return {
+          ...this.mapBooking(booking),
+          need,
+          fits: need && capacity ? fits(need, capacity.budget) : false,
+        };
+      }),
+      accepted: accepted.map((booking) => ({
+        ...this.mapBooking(booking),
+        need: capacity?.needFor(booking) ?? null,
+      })),
+    };
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Accept selected waiting intercity bookings onto this train, in the given
+   * order, each re-checked against the shrinking capacity budget. Commercial
+   * bookings open a pay window (payment → allocation runs on the existing
+   * settle lifecycle); government bookings allocate immediately.
+   */
+  async acceptBookings(scheduleId: string, bookingIds: string[]) {
+    if (bookingIds.length === 0) {
+      throw new BadRequestException('Select at least one intercity booking');
+    }
+    const schedule = await this.getSchedule(scheduleId);
+    const milestoneSeq = await this.routeMilestoneSequence(schedule);
+    if (!milestoneSeq) {
+      throw new BadRequestException(
+        'Schedule has no route milestones — cannot serve intercity corridors',
+      );
+    }
+    const capacity = await this.bookingBatchService.intercityCapacity(scheduleId);
+    if (!capacity) {
+      throw new BadRequestException(
+        'Schedule has no locomotive/train set — capacity unknown',
+      );
+    }
+
+    const accepted: string[] = [];
+    const rejected: Array<{ bookingId: string; reason: string }> = [];
+    let budget = capacity.budget;
+
+    for (const bookingId of bookingIds) {
+      const booking = await this.dataSource
+        .getRepository(Booking)
+        .findOne({ where: { id: bookingId }, relations: { bookingContainers: true } });
+      if (!booking) {
+        rejected.push({ bookingId, reason: 'Booking not found' });
+        continue;
+      }
+      const notWaiting = this.whyNotWaiting(booking, milestoneSeq);
+      if (notWaiting) {
+        rejected.push({ bookingId, reason: notWaiting });
+        continue;
+      }
+      const need = capacity.needFor(booking);
+      if (!fits(need, budget)) {
+        rejected.push({
+          bookingId,
+          reason: 'Does not fit the remaining wagon/weight/length capacity',
+        });
+        continue;
+      }
+      await this.bookingBatchService.acceptIntercity(booking, scheduleId);
+      budget = subtract(budget, need);
+      accepted.push(bookingId);
+      this.logger.log(
+        `Intercity booking ${booking.reference ?? bookingId} accepted onto schedule ${scheduleId}`,
+      );
+    }
+
+    return { accepted, rejected, remaining: budget };
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Mark an accepted intercity booking's cargo as loaded. Only allowed while
+   * the train is physically at the booking's origin yard: either it has not
+   * departed yet and the booking boards at the train's own origin, or the
+   * latest recorded checkpoint is at the booking's origin yard.
+   */
+  async loadBooking(scheduleId: string, bookingId: string) {
+    const { schedule, booking } = await this.getAcceptedBooking(
+      scheduleId,
+      bookingId,
+    );
+    if (booking.status !== 'PAID') {
+      throw new BadRequestException(
+        `Booking must be paid before loading (currently ${booking.status})`,
+      );
+    }
+    await this.assertTrainAtYard(schedule, booking.originYardId, 'origin');
+    await this.dataSource
+      .getRepository(Booking)
+      .update(bookingId, { status: 'IN_TRANSIT' });
+    return { bookingId, status: 'IN_TRANSIT' as const };
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Mark an intercity booking's cargo as unloaded at its destination yard —
+   * requires the latest checkpoint to be at that yard. Completes the booking.
+   */
+  async unloadBooking(scheduleId: string, bookingId: string) {
+    const { schedule, booking } = await this.getAcceptedBooking(
+      scheduleId,
+      bookingId,
+    );
+    if (booking.status !== 'IN_TRANSIT') {
+      throw new BadRequestException(
+        `Booking must be loaded/in transit before unloading (currently ${booking.status})`,
+      );
+    }
+    await this.assertTrainAtYard(schedule, booking.destinationYardId, 'destination');
+    await this.dataSource
+      .getRepository(Booking)
+      .update(bookingId, { status: 'COMPLETED' });
+    return { bookingId, status: 'COMPLETED' as const };
+  }
+
+  // ---- helpers ---------------------------------------------------------------
+
+  private async getSchedule(scheduleId: string): Promise<TrainSchedule> {
+    const schedule = await this.dataSource
+      .getRepository(TrainSchedule)
+      .findOne({ where: { id: scheduleId } });
+    if (!schedule) {
+      throw new NotFoundException(`Train schedule ${scheduleId} not found`);
+    }
+    return schedule;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * yardId → sequenceNo for the schedule's route. Falls back to a two-stop
+   * origin/destination pseudo-route for legacy schedules without a routeId,
+   * so an intercity booking exactly matching the train's own corridor still
+   * qualifies.
+   */
+  private async routeMilestoneSequence(
+    schedule: TrainSchedule,
+  ): Promise<Map<string, number> | null> {
+    if (schedule.routeId) {
+      const milestones = await this.dataSource
+        .getRepository(RouteMilestone)
+        .find({ where: { routeId: schedule.routeId }, order: { sequenceNo: 'ASC' } });
+      if (milestones.length >= 2) {
+        return new Map(milestones.map((m) => [m.yardId, m.sequenceNo]));
+      }
+    }
+    if (schedule.originStationId && schedule.destinationStationId) {
+      return new Map([
+        [schedule.originStationId, 1],
+        [schedule.destinationStationId, 2],
+      ]);
+    }
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  /** Waiting = ready intercity bookings not yet on any train, corridor on this route. */
+  private async findWaitingIntercityBookings(
+    milestoneSeq: Map<string, number>,
+  ): Promise<Booking[]> {
+    const pool = await this.dataSource
+      .getRepository(Booking)
+      .createQueryBuilder('booking')
+      .leftJoinAndSelect('booking.company', 'company')
+      .leftJoinAndSelect('booking.bookingContainers', 'bookingContainer')
+      .leftJoinAndSelect('booking.originYard', 'originYard')
+      .leftJoinAndSelect('booking.destinationYard', 'destinationYard')
+      .where(`booking.trade_direction = 'DOMESTIC'`)
+      .andWhere('booking.train_schedule_id IS NULL')
+      .andWhere(
+        `((booking.is_government = false AND booking.status = 'FULLY_EXECUTED')
+          OR (booking.is_government = true AND booking.status = 'APPROVED'))`,
+      )
+      .orderBy('booking.is_government', 'DESC')
+      .addOrderBy('booking.priority_score', 'DESC')
+      .addOrderBy('booking.created_at', 'ASC')
+      .getMany();
+
+    return pool.filter((b) => this.corridorOnRoute(b, milestoneSeq));
+  }
+
+  /** Intercity bookings already reserved/allocated on this schedule. */
+  private async findAcceptedIntercityBookings(
+    scheduleId: string,
+  ): Promise<Booking[]> {
+    return this.dataSource
+      .getRepository(Booking)
+      .createQueryBuilder('booking')
+      .leftJoinAndSelect('booking.company', 'company')
+      .leftJoinAndSelect('booking.bookingContainers', 'bookingContainer')
+      .leftJoinAndSelect('booking.originYard', 'originYard')
+      .leftJoinAndSelect('booking.destinationYard', 'destinationYard')
+      .where(`booking.trade_direction = 'DOMESTIC'`)
+      .andWhere('booking.train_schedule_id = :scheduleId', { scheduleId })
+      .orderBy('booking.created_at', 'ASC')
+      .getMany();
+  }
+
+  private corridorOnRoute(
+    booking: Booking,
+    milestoneSeq: Map<string, number>,
+  ): boolean {
+    const originSeq = milestoneSeq.get(booking.originYardId);
+    const destinationSeq = milestoneSeq.get(booking.destinationYardId);
+    return (
+      originSeq != null && destinationSeq != null && originSeq < destinationSeq
+    );
+  }
+
+  private whyNotWaiting(
+    booking: Booking,
+    milestoneSeq: Map<string, number>,
+  ): string | null {
+    if (booking.tradeDirection !== 'DOMESTIC') {
+      return 'Not an intercity booking';
+    }
+    if (booking.trainScheduleId) {
+      return 'Already assigned to a train';
+    }
+    const readyStatus = booking.isGovernment ? 'APPROVED' : 'FULLY_EXECUTED';
+    if (booking.status !== readyStatus) {
+      return `Not ready to board (status ${booking.status})`;
+    }
+    if (!this.corridorOnRoute(booking, milestoneSeq)) {
+      return "Corridor is not on this schedule's route";
+    }
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  private async getAcceptedBooking(scheduleId: string, bookingId: string) {
+    const schedule = await this.getSchedule(scheduleId);
+    const booking = await this.dataSource
+      .getRepository(Booking)
+      .findOne({ where: { id: bookingId } });
+    if (!booking) throw new NotFoundException(`Booking ${bookingId} not found`);
+    if (booking.trainScheduleId !== scheduleId) {
+      throw new BadRequestException('Booking is not assigned to this schedule');
+    }
+    if (booking.tradeDirection !== 'DOMESTIC') {
+      throw new BadRequestException('Not an intercity booking');
+    }
+    return { schedule, booking };
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * The train is "at" a yard when the latest recorded checkpoint is that yard,
+   * or — for a booking boarding at the train's own origin — when the train has
+   * not recorded any checkpoint yet (still sitting at its origin).
+   */
+  private async assertTrainAtYard(
+    schedule: TrainSchedule,
+    yardId: string,
+    side: 'origin' | 'destination',
+  ): Promise<void> {
+    const latest = await this.dataSource
+      .getRepository(TrainCheckpointEvent)
+      .findOne({
+        where: { trainScheduleId: schedule.id },
+        order: { occurredAt: 'DESC', createdAt: 'DESC' },
+      });
+
+    if (!latest) {
+      if (side === 'origin' && schedule.originStationId === yardId) return;
+      throw new BadRequestException(
+        'Train has not reached this yard yet — record its checkpoint first',
+      );
+    }
+    if (latest.yardId !== yardId) {
+      throw new BadRequestException(
+        `Train's last recorded position is not at the booking's ${side} yard`,
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
+  private mapBooking(booking: Booking) {
+    return {
+      id: booking.id,
+      reference: booking.reference,
+      status: booking.status,
+      freightType: booking.freightType,
+      isGovernment: booking.isGovernment,
+      customer: booking.company?.name ?? 'Unknown customer',
+      originYardId: booking.originYardId,
+      destinationYardId: booking.destinationYardId,
+      origin:
+        booking.originYard?.label ?? booking.originYard?.code ?? 'Unknown origin',
+      destination:
+        booking.destinationYard?.label ??
+        booking.destinationYard?.code ??
+        'Unknown destination',
+      weightTons: Number(booking.cargoTotalWeightVgm ?? 0),
+      paymentDeadline: booking.paymentDeadline?.toISOString() ?? null,
+    };
+  }
+}
+
+function fits(need: Capacity, budget: Capacity): boolean {
+  return (
+    need.wagons <= budget.wagons &&
+    need.weightTons <= budget.weightTons &&
+    need.lengthMeters <= budget.lengthMeters
+  );
+}
+
+function subtract(budget: Capacity, need: Capacity): Capacity {
+  return {
+    wagons: budget.wagons - need.wagons,
+    weightTons: budget.weightTons - need.weightTons,
+    lengthMeters: budget.lengthMeters - need.lengthMeters,
+  };
+}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/train-scheduling.controller.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/train-scheduling.controller.ts
index fb5ab66d5..1648bd957 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/train-scheduling.controller.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/train-scheduling.controller.ts
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import {
   TrainSchedulingManage,
   TrainSchedulingView,
 } from "../../common/booking-guards";
+import { AcceptIntercityBookingsDto } from "./dto/accept-intercity-bookings.dto";
 import { AssignBookingsDto } from "./dto/assign-bookings.dto";
 import { AssignUnassignedBookingDto } from "./dto/assign-unassigned-booking.dto";
 import { CreateContainerTrainScheduleDto } from "./dto/create-container-train-schedule.dto";
@@ -47,6 +48,7 @@ import { UpdateScheduleDateDto } from "./dto/update-schedule-date.dto";
 import { TrainSchedulingService } from "./train-scheduling.service";
 import { BookingBatchService } from "./booking-batch.service";
 import { BookingWindowService } from "./booking-window.service";
+import { IntercityService } from "./intercity.service";
 import { BillingService } from "../billing/billing.service";
 
 @ApiTags("train-scheduling")
@@ -57,6 +59,7 @@ export class TrainSchedulingController {
     private readonly trainSchedulingService: TrainSchedulingService,
     private readonly bookingBatchService: BookingBatchService,
     private readonly bookingWindowService: BookingWindowService,
+    private readonly intercityService: IntercityService,
     private readonly billingService: BillingService,
   ) { }
 
@@ -406,6 +409,54 @@ export class TrainSchedulingController {
     return this.trainSchedulingService.dispatchSchedule(id);
   }
 
+  @Get("schedules/:id/intercity-candidates")
+  @TrainSchedulingView()
+  @ApiOperation({
+    summary:
+      "Waiting intercity bookings this train could carry (corridor on route) + remaining wagon/weight/length capacity",
+  })
+  getIntercityCandidates(@Param("id", ParseUUIDPipe) id: string) {
+    return this.intercityService.listCandidates(id);
+  }
+
+  @Post("schedules/:id/intercity/accept")
+  @TrainSchedulingManage()
+  @ApiOperation({
+    summary:
+      "Accept intercity bookings onto this train (opens their pay window; capacity re-checked per booking)",
+  })
+  acceptIntercityBookings(
+    @Param("id", ParseUUIDPipe) id: string,
+    @Body() dto: AcceptIntercityBookingsDto,
+  ) {
+    return this.intercityService.acceptBookings(id, dto.bookingIds);
+  }
+
+  @Post("schedules/:id/intercity/:bookingId/load")
+  @TrainSchedulingManage()
+  @ApiOperation({
+    summary: "Confirm intercity cargo loaded (train must be at the booking's origin yard)",
+  })
+  loadIntercityBooking(
+    @Param("id", ParseUUIDPipe) id: string,
+    @Param("bookingId", ParseUUIDPipe) bookingId: string,
+  ) {
+    return this.intercityService.loadBooking(id, bookingId);
+  }
+
+  @Post("schedules/:id/intercity/:bookingId/unload")
+  @TrainSchedulingManage()
+  @ApiOperation({
+    summary:
+      "Confirm intercity cargo unloaded at the booking's destination yard (completes the booking)",
+  })
+  unloadIntercityBooking(
+    @Param("id", ParseUUIDPipe) id: string,
+    @Param("bookingId", ParseUUIDPipe) bookingId: string,
+  ) {
+    return this.intercityService.unloadBooking(id, bookingId);
+  }
+
   @Get("schedules/:id/import-djibouti")
   @TrainSchedulingView()
   @ApiOperation({ summary: "Batch 7 import Djibouti gatepass/loading status" })
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 7e281a72f..e01e0d629 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
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { Module, forwardRef } from '@nestjs/common';
 import { TypeOrmModule } from '@nestjs/typeorm';
+import { Session } from '@tria-plc/iamapi-common/entities/iam/user/session.entity';
 
 import { BillingModule } from '../billing/billing.module';
 import { BookingsModule } from '../bookings/bookings.module';
@@ -25,7 +26,10 @@ import { TrainSchedulingController } from './train-scheduling.controller';
 import { TrainSchedulingService } from './train-scheduling.service';
 import { BookingBatchService } from './booking-batch.service';
 import { BookingNotifierService } from './booking-notifier.service';
+import { BookingWindowGateway } from './booking-window.gateway';
 import { BookingWindowService } from './booking-window.service';
+import { IntercityService } from './intercity.service';
+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';
@@ -46,6 +50,8 @@ import { ContractsModule } from '../contracts/contracts.module';
       TrainCheckpointEvent,
       ImportDjiboutiOperation,
       BookingBatchOffer,
+      // WsAuthService (booking-window gateway handshake) verifies IAM sessions.
+      Session,
     ]),
     forwardRef(() => BookingsModule),
     BillingModule,
@@ -64,8 +70,11 @@ import { ContractsModule } from '../contracts/contracts.module';
     TrainCheckpointEventsRepository,
     BookingBatchService,
     BookingNotifierService,
+    BookingWindowGateway,
+    WsAuthService,
     BookingWindowService,
     BookingSplitService,
+    IntercityService,
   ],
   exports: [TrainSchedulingService, BookingBatchService, BookingWindowService],
 })
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 22dec2a37..fd0bec774 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
@@ -408,7 +408,9 @@ export class TrainSchedulingService {
         schedule.ruleImportWindowLeadDays ??
         liveCfg.importWindowLeadDays,
       exportBookingLeadHours:
-        schedule.ruleExportBookingLeadHours ?? liveCfg.exportBookingLeadHours,
+        dto.exportBookingLeadHours ??
+        schedule.ruleExportBookingLeadHours ??
+        liveCfg.exportBookingLeadHours,
       windowOpenHour:
         dto.windowOpenHour ?? schedule.ruleWindowOpenHour ?? liveCfg.windowOpenHour,
       windowCloseHour:
@@ -432,6 +434,12 @@ export class TrainSchedulingService {
       schedule.direction === 'EXPORT'
         ? computeExportWindowTimes(schedule.scheduledDepartureDate, merged)
         : computeImportWindowTimes(schedule.scheduledDepartureDate, merged, now);
+    if (times.windowOpensAt.getTime() >= times.windowClosesAt.getTime()) {
+      throw new BadRequestException(
+        'These settings leave no booking window before departure — with the ' +
+          'desk hours applied, the window would only open once the train has left.',
+      );
+    }
 
     await this.dataSource.getRepository(TrainSchedule).update(id, {
       windowOpensAt: times.windowOpensAt,
@@ -686,10 +694,9 @@ export class TrainSchedulingService {
         lockedLocomotives.push(locked);
       }
 
-      const direction = deriveScheduleDirection(
-        route.originYard ?? { country: null },
-        route.destinationYard ?? { country: null },
-      );
+      // Frozen on the route at create/update from the yard-country enum;
+      // getSchedulableRoute already rejected DOMESTIC (intercity).
+      const direction = this.resolveRouteDirection(route);
 
       const trainSet = await this.buildEmptyTrainSet(manager, lockedLocomotives);
       // Effective capacity is capped by the weakest locomotive in the set.
@@ -3447,9 +3454,27 @@ export class TrainSchedulingService {
         `Route ${formatRouteLabel(route)} is not available for scheduling (${route.status})`,
       );
     }
+    // Intercity (same-country) service is not offered yet — only import/export
+    // trains can be scheduled.
+    if (this.resolveRouteDirection(route) === 'DOMESTIC') {
+      throw new BadRequestException(
+        `Route ${formatRouteLabel(route)} is an intercity route; intercity scheduling is not available yet`,
+      );
+    }
     return route;
   }
 
+  /** Stored route direction, deriving from yard countries for pre-migration rows. */
+  private resolveRouteDirection(route: Route) {
+    return (
+      route.direction ??
+      deriveScheduleDirection(
+        route.originYard ?? { country: null },
+        route.destinationYard ?? { country: null },
+      )
+    );
+  }
+
   private mapEligibleBooking(booking: Booking) {
     return {
       id: booking.id,
@@ -4054,6 +4079,7 @@ export class TrainSchedulingService {
             : null,
         reopenDelayMinutes: schedule.ruleReopenDelayMinutes ?? null,
         importWindowLeadDays: schedule.ruleImportWindowLeadDays ?? null,
+        exportBookingLeadHours: schedule.ruleExportBookingLeadHours ?? null,
         docReviewMinutes: windowCfg.docReviewMinutes,
         paymentWindowMinutes: windowCfg.paymentWindowMinutes,
       },
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/entities/booking-handover.entity.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/entities/booking-handover.entity.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f5a730ea8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/entities/booking-handover.entity.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+import { BaseEntity } from '@edr/api-common';
+import { Column, Entity, Index } from 'typeorm';
+
+export const HANDOVER_MILE_TYPES = ['SELF_HAUL', 'EDR_LAST_MILE'] as const;
+export type HandoverMileType = (typeof HANDOVER_MILE_TYPES)[number];
+
+/**
+ * One import handover. A booking has a single handover when one truck takes the
+ * whole booking (`truckAssignmentId` null = per-booking), or one per truck when
+ * multiple trucks are used. Self-haul handovers are generated on truck arrival
+ * and signed before the truck leaves; EDR last-mile handovers are generated at
+ * delivery (after exit).
+ */
+@Entity({ schema: 'freight', name: 'booking_handovers' })
+@Index(['bookingId'])
+export class BookingHandover extends BaseEntity {
+  @Column({ name: 'booking_id', type: 'uuid' })
+  bookingId!: string;
+
+  /** Customer self-haul truck this handover belongs to; null = per-booking. */
+  @Column({ name: 'truck_assignment_id', type: 'uuid', nullable: true })
+  truckAssignmentId?: string | null;
+
+  /** Denormalised plate for display / EDR trucks (which aren't customer trucks). */
+  @Column({ name: 'truck_plate', type: 'varchar', length: 32, nullable: true })
+  truckPlate?: string | null;
+
+  @Column({ name: 'mile_type', type: 'varchar', length: 20 })
+  mileType!: HandoverMileType;
+
+  @Column({ name: 'reference', type: 'varchar', length: 100 })
+  reference!: string;
+
+  @Column({ name: 'generated_at', type: 'timestamptz', default: () => 'now()' })
+  generatedAt!: Date;
+
+  @Column({ name: 'signed_at', type: 'timestamptz', nullable: true })
+  signedAt?: Date | null;
+
+  @Column({ name: 'signed_by_user_id', type: 'uuid', nullable: true })
+  signedByUserId?: string | null;
+
+  /** EDR last-mile: when the goods were delivered to the customer. */
+  @Column({ name: 'delivered_at', type: 'timestamptz', nullable: true })
+  deliveredAt?: Date | null;
+}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/handover.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/handover.service.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..52bd318e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/handover.service.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+import { Injectable, Logger } from '@nestjs/common';
+import { DataSource, EntityManager, IsNull } from 'typeorm';
+
+import { BookingHandover } from './entities/booking-handover.entity';
+
+/**
+ * Import handover records. A booking has one handover per truck (single truck ⇒
+ * one, effectively per-booking; multiple trucks ⇒ one each). Timing by mile type:
+ *  - SELF_HAUL: generated when the customer truck arrives, signed before it leaves.
+ *  - EDR_LAST_MILE: generated at delivery (after exit).
+ */
+@Injectable()
+export class HandoverService {
+  private readonly logger = new Logger(HandoverService.name);
+
+  constructor(private readonly dataSource: DataSource) {}
+
+  list(bookingId: string): Promise<BookingHandover[]> {
+    return this.dataSource.getRepository(BookingHandover).find({
+      where: { bookingId },
+      order: { generatedAt: 'ASC' },
+    });
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Self-haul: ensure a handover exists for a customer truck that just arrived.
+   * Idempotent — one per (booking, truck). Runs inside the caller's transaction
+   * when a manager is supplied.
+   */
+  async ensureForArrivedTruck(
+    bookingId: string,
+    opts: { truckAssignmentId?: string | null; truckPlate?: string | null },
+    manager?: EntityManager,
+  ): Promise<BookingHandover> {
+    const m = manager ?? this.dataSource.manager;
+    const repo = m.getRepository(BookingHandover);
+    const existing = await repo.findOne({
+      where: {
+        bookingId,
+        truckAssignmentId: opts.truckAssignmentId ?? IsNull(),
+      },
+    });
+    if (existing) return existing;
+
+    const reference = await this.generateReference(bookingId, m);
+    const saved = await repo.save(
+      repo.create({
+        bookingId,
+        truckAssignmentId: opts.truckAssignmentId ?? null,
+        truckPlate: opts.truckPlate ?? null,
+        mileType: 'SELF_HAUL',
+        reference,
+        generatedAt: new Date(),
+      }),
+    );
+    this.logger.log(`Handover ${reference} generated on arrival for booking ${bookingId}`);
+    return saved;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * EDR last-mile: generate a handover at delivery (after exit). One per EDR
+   * truck (by plate) or per booking. Idempotent by (booking, plate).
+   */
+  async ensureAtDelivery(
+    bookingId: string,
+    opts: { truckPlate?: string | null; truckAssignmentId?: string | null },
+    manager?: EntityManager,
+  ): Promise<BookingHandover> {
+    const m = manager ?? this.dataSource.manager;
+    const repo = m.getRepository(BookingHandover);
+    const existing = await repo.findOne({
+      where: {
+        bookingId,
+        truckPlate: opts.truckPlate ?? IsNull(),
+        truckAssignmentId: opts.truckAssignmentId ?? IsNull(),
+      },
+    });
+    if (existing) return existing;
+
+    const reference = await this.generateReference(bookingId, m);
+    return repo.save(
+      repo.create({
+        bookingId,
+        truckAssignmentId: opts.truckAssignmentId ?? null,
+        truckPlate: opts.truckPlate ?? null,
+        mileType: 'EDR_LAST_MILE',
+        reference,
+        generatedAt: new Date(),
+        deliveredAt: new Date(),
+      }),
+    );
+  }
+
+  /** Sign all unsigned handovers on a booking (self-haul: before the truck leaves). */
+  async signForBooking(bookingId: string, userId?: string | null): Promise<void> {
+    await this.dataSource
+      .getRepository(BookingHandover)
+      .update(
+        { bookingId, signedAt: IsNull() },
+        { signedAt: new Date(), signedByUserId: userId ?? null },
+      );
+  }
+
+  /** True when every handover on the booking is signed (and at least one exists). */
+  async isFullySigned(bookingId: string): Promise<boolean> {
+    const repo = this.dataSource.getRepository(BookingHandover);
+    const [total, unsigned] = await Promise.all([
+      repo.count({ where: { bookingId } }),
+      repo.count({ where: { bookingId, signedAt: IsNull() } }),
+    ]);
+    return total > 0 && unsigned === 0;
+  }
+
+  private async generateReference(bookingId: string, manager: EntityManager): Promise<string> {
+    const [booking] = await manager.query(
+      `SELECT reference FROM freight.bookings WHERE id = $1 AND deleted_at IS NULL`,
+      [bookingId],
+    );
+    const ref = String(booking?.reference ?? bookingId).replace(/^BK-?/i, '');
+    const count = await manager.getRepository(BookingHandover).count({ where: { bookingId } });
+    return `HND-${ref}-${String(count + 1).padStart(2, '0')}`;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/warehouse-inventory.controller.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/warehouse-inventory.controller.ts
index 6b30dad1e..cd1aa432c 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/warehouse-inventory.controller.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/warehouse-inventory.controller.ts
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import { ReserveInventoryDto } from './dto/reserve-inventory.dto';
 import { UnloadBookingDto } from './dto/unload-booking.dto';
 import { SchedulingReadFacade } from './scheduling-read.facade';
 import { WarehouseInventoryService } from './warehouse-inventory.service';
+import { HandoverService } from './handover.service';
 
 @ApiTags('warehouse-inventory')
 @ApiBearerAuth()
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryController {
   constructor(
     private readonly inventoryService: WarehouseInventoryService,
     private readonly scheduling: SchedulingReadFacade,
+    private readonly handoverService: HandoverService,
   ) {}
 
   @Get()
@@ -283,6 +285,19 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryController {
     return res.send(buffer);
   }
 
+  @Get('customer-truck-exit-paper/:assignmentId')
+  @ApiOperation({ summary: 'Per-truck exit paper PDF (containers loaded on one customer truck)' })
+  async truckExitPaper(
+    @Param('assignmentId', ParseUUIDPipe) assignmentId: string,
+    @Res() res: Response,
+  ) {
+    const { filename, buffer } = await this.inventoryService.truckExitPaper(assignmentId);
+    res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/pdf');
+    res.setHeader('Content-Disposition', `inline; filename="${filename}"`);
+    res.setHeader('Content-Length', buffer.length);
+    return res.send(buffer);
+  }
+
   @Get(':id/grn-document')
   @ApiOperation({ summary: 'View goods received note PDF' })
   async grnDocument(@Param('id', ParseUUIDPipe) id: string, @Res() res: Response) {
@@ -312,6 +327,12 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryController {
     return this.inventoryService.approveDeliveryForBooking(bookingId, req.user?.id ?? req.user?.sub);
   }
 
+  @Get('bookings/:bookingId/handovers')
+  @ApiOperation({ summary: 'Handover records for a booking (per-booking or per-truck)' })
+  bookingHandovers(@Param('bookingId', ParseUUIDPipe) bookingId: string) {
+    return this.handoverService.list(bookingId);
+  }
+
   @Post(':id/deliver')
   @ApiOperation({ summary: 'Deliver import goods to the customer + capture proof of delivery' })
   deliver(@Param('id', ParseUUIDPipe) id: string, @Body() dto: DeliverInventoryDto) {
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/warehouse-inventory.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/warehouse-inventory.service.ts
index c9844051b..8e9457831 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/warehouse-inventory.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/warehouse-inventory.service.ts
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ import { WarehouseActivityLogService } from './warehouse-activity-log.service';
 import { WarehouseInventoryRepository } from './warehouse-inventory.repository';
 import { WarehouseLoadingRepository } from './warehouse-loading.repository';
 import { WarehouseReleaseDocumentService } from './warehouse-release-document.service';
+import { HandoverService } from './handover.service';
 
 /** Wagon states that may receive a load (besides being part of an existing schedule). */
 const LOADABLE_WAGON_STATUSES = ['AVAILABLE', 'IMPORT_READY', 'EXPORT_READY', 'ASSIGNED'];
@@ -342,6 +343,7 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryService {
     private readonly lastMileService: LastMileService,
     private readonly notifications: NotificationsService,
     private readonly signatures: SignaturesService,
+    private readonly handover: HandoverService,
   ) {}
 
   /**
@@ -928,7 +930,7 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryService {
               SET received_to_port = true,
                   received_at = COALESCE(bcu.received_at, NOW()),
                   updated_at = NOW()
-             FROM freight.booking_containers bc
+             FROM freight.booking_container bc
             WHERE bc.id = bcu.booking_container_id
               AND bc.booking_id = $1
               AND bc.deleted_at IS NULL
@@ -1799,7 +1801,7 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryService {
               SET received_to_port = true,
                   received_at = COALESCE(bcu.received_at, NOW()),
                   updated_at = NOW()
-             FROM freight.booking_containers bc, freight.containers cont
+             FROM freight.booking_container bc, freight.containers cont
             WHERE bc.id = bcu.booking_container_id
               AND bc.booking_id = $1
               AND bc.deleted_at IS NULL
@@ -2080,9 +2082,14 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryService {
             [item.bookingId],
           );
         const usesCustomerTruck = Boolean(truckInfo?.customerTruckAssignedAt);
-        if (usesCustomerTruck && !this.extractCustomerDeliveryApproval(item.notes)) {
+        // Self-haul: the handover must be signed before the exit paper is issued.
+        // Prefer the structured handover record; fall back to the legacy note.
+        const handoverSigned =
+          (await this.handover.isFullySigned(item.bookingId)) ||
+          Boolean(this.extractCustomerDeliveryApproval(item.notes));
+        if (usesCustomerTruck && !handoverSigned) {
           throw new BadRequestException(
-            'Customer must approve delivery (sign the handover) before the exit paper can be generated',
+            'Customer must sign the handover before the exit paper can be generated',
           );
         }
       }
@@ -2137,6 +2144,16 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryService {
               AND deleted_at IS NULL`,
           [item.bookingId],
         );
+        // Self-haul: generate the per-booking handover on first truck arrival
+        // (idempotent). It must be signed before the truck leaves.
+        const [selfHaul]: Array<{ ok: number }> = await manager.query(
+          `SELECT 1 AS ok FROM freight.bookings
+            WHERE id = $1 AND customer_truck_assigned_at IS NOT NULL AND deleted_at IS NULL`,
+          [item.bookingId],
+        );
+        if (selfHaul) {
+          await this.handover.ensureForArrivedTruck(item.bookingId, {}, manager);
+        }
       }
       await this.activityLog.record(
         {
@@ -2231,7 +2248,7 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryService {
                     FROM freight.customer_truck_containers cc
                     JOIN freight.booking_container_units bcu
                       ON bcu.container_number = cc.container_number AND bcu.deleted_at IS NULL
-                    JOIN freight.booking_containers bc
+                    JOIN freight.booking_container bc
                       ON bc.id = bcu.booking_container_id AND bc.deleted_at IS NULL
                      AND bc.booking_id = c.booking_id
                    WHERE cc.assignment_id = a.id AND cc.deleted_at IS NULL
@@ -2291,6 +2308,115 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryService {
     };
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Per-truck exit paper: one paper covering the containers loaded on a specific
+   * customer truck (used when multiple trucks leave separately). Gated on the
+   * handover being signed and warehouse fees paid.
+   */
+  async truckExitPaper(assignmentId: string): Promise<{ filename: string; buffer: Buffer }> {
+    const [truck] = await this.dataSource.query(
+      `SELECT a.booking_id AS "bookingId", a.plate_number AS "plateNumber",
+              a.driver_name AS "driverName", a.truck_type AS "truckType",
+              a.gross_weight_kg AS "grossWeightKg", a.departed_at AS "departedAt",
+              b.reference AS "bookingReference", company.name AS "customerName"
+         FROM freight.customer_truck_assignments a
+         JOIN freight.bookings b ON b.id = a.booking_id AND b.deleted_at IS NULL
+         LEFT JOIN freight.companies company ON company.id = b.company_id
+        WHERE a.id = $1 AND a.deleted_at IS NULL`,
+      [assignmentId],
+    );
+    if (!truck) throw new NotFoundException(`Truck assignment ${assignmentId} not found`);
+
+    if (!(await this.handover.isFullySigned(truck.bookingId))) {
+      throw new BadRequestException('Handover must be signed before the exit paper can be generated');
+    }
+    const [inv]: Array<{ id: string }> = await this.dataSource.query(
+      `SELECT id FROM freight.warehouse_inventory
+        WHERE booking_id = $1 AND deleted_at IS NULL ORDER BY created_at LIMIT 1`,
+      [truck.bookingId],
+    );
+    if (inv?.id) await this.invoices.assertClearanceAllowed(inv.id);
+
+    const containers: Array<{ containerNumber: string; goods: string | null }> =
+      await this.dataSource.query(
+        `SELECT c.container_number AS "containerNumber",
+                COALESCE(ct.cargo_type_name, b.cargo_free_text) AS goods
+           FROM freight.customer_truck_containers c
+           JOIN freight.bookings b ON b.id = c.booking_id
+           LEFT JOIN freight.cargo_types ct ON ct.id = b.cargo_type_id
+          WHERE c.assignment_id = $1 AND c.deleted_at IS NULL
+          ORDER BY c.container_number`,
+        [assignmentId],
+      );
+
+    const html = this.buildTruckExitPaperHtml({
+      reference: `REL-${String(truck.bookingReference).replace(/^BK-?/i, '')}-${truck.plateNumber}`,
+      bookingReference: truck.bookingReference,
+      customerName: truck.customerName,
+      plateNumber: truck.plateNumber,
+      driverName: truck.driverName,
+      truckType: truck.truckType,
+      grossWeightKg: Number(truck.grossWeightKg ?? 0),
+      gateOut: truck.departedAt,
+      containers,
+    });
+    return {
+      filename: `exit-${String(truck.plateNumber).replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9_-]+/g, '-')}.pdf`,
+      buffer: await this.releaseDocuments.renderDocumentHtml(html, 'Warehouse exit paper'),
+    };
+  }
+
+  private buildTruckExitPaperHtml(data: {
+    reference: string;
+    bookingReference: string;
+    customerName: string | null;
+    plateNumber: string;
+    driverName: string;
+    truckType: string;
+    grossWeightKg: number;
+    gateOut: string | Date | null;
+    containers: Array<{ containerNumber: string; goods: string | null }>;
+  }): string {
+    const esc = (v: unknown) =>
+      String(v ?? '-').replace(/&/g, '&amp;').replace(/</g, '&lt;').replace(/>/g, '&gt;');
+    const gateOut = data.gateOut ? new Date(data.gateOut).toLocaleString('en-GB') : '-';
+    const rows: Array<[string, string]> = [
+      ['Booking Reference', data.bookingReference],
+      ['Customer / Consignee', data.customerName ?? '-'],
+      ['Pickup Truck Plate', data.plateNumber],
+      ['Driver', data.driverName],
+      ['Truck Type', data.truckType],
+      ['Gross Weight (Loaded on Truck)', `${data.grossWeightKg.toLocaleString()} kg`],
+      ['Gate-Out Time', gateOut],
+      ['Clearance Status', 'CLEARED FOR WAREHOUSE EXIT'],
+    ];
+    const containerRows = data.containers.length
+      ? data.containers
+          .map((c) => `<tr><td>${esc(c.containerNumber)}</td><td>${esc(c.goods)}</td></tr>`)
+          .join('')
+      : '<tr><td colspan="2">No containers loaded on this truck.</td></tr>';
+    return `<!doctype html><html><head><meta charset="utf-8" /><title>Warehouse Exit Paper</title>
+      <style>
+        body { font-family: "Times New Roman", Georgia, serif; color: #061323; margin: 24px; }
+        h1 { font-size: 24px; text-transform: uppercase; margin: 0 0 4px; }
+        table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-top: 8px; }
+        th, td { border: 1px solid #b9c7d8; padding: 8px 10px; font-size: 12px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; }
+        th { background: #f8fafc; width: 34%; font-weight: 800; }
+        .section { margin-top: 18px; font-weight: 800; color: #064c27; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: .1em; }
+        .ref strong { font-size: 16px; }
+      </style></head>
+      <body>
+        <div style="color:#064c27;font-weight:800;text-transform:uppercase;">Ethio-Djibouti Railway S.C.</div>
+        <h1>Warehouse Release / Exit Paper</h1>
+        <div class="ref">Document / Release No. <strong>${esc(data.reference)}</strong></div>
+        <div class="section">Release Particulars</div>
+        <table><tbody>${rows.map(([l, v]) => `<tr><th>${esc(l)}</th><td>${esc(v)}</td></tr>`).join('')}</tbody></table>
+        <div class="section">Containers Leaving on This Truck</div>
+        <table><thead><tr><th style="width:40%">Container Number</th><th>Goods</th></tr></thead>
+          <tbody>${containerRows}</tbody></table>
+      </body></html>`;
+  }
+
   /** Hand import goods to the customer + capture proof of delivery (READY_FOR_PICKUP → DELIVERED). */
   async grnDocument(id: string): Promise<{ filename: string; buffer: Buffer }> {
     const [row] = await this.dataSource.query(
@@ -2388,7 +2514,17 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryService {
 
     return {
       filename: `grn-${String(row.grnNumber).replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9_-]+/g, '-')}.pdf`,
-      buffer: await this.releaseDocuments.htmlToPdfBuffer(html),
+      // Styled fallback titled as a GRN (not a release order) for Chromium-less render.
+      buffer: await this.releaseDocuments.renderStyledDocument(
+        html,
+        {
+          titleLines: ['GOODS RECEIVED', 'NOTE'],
+          subtitle: 'OFFICIAL WAREHOUSE GOODS RECEIVED NOTE',
+          sectionTitle: 'RECEIVED PARTICULARS',
+          refLabel: 'GRN No.',
+        },
+        'Goods Received Note',
+      ),
     };
   }
 
@@ -2462,6 +2598,10 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryService {
       );
     });
 
+    // Sign the structured handover record(s) for this booking (self-haul: before
+    // the truck leaves). Kept alongside the legacy approval note.
+    await this.handover.signForBooking(bookingId, userId);
+
     return {
       bookingId,
       inventoryId: item.id,
@@ -2589,7 +2729,17 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryService {
 
     return {
       filename: `handover-${String(reference).replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9_-]+/g, '-')}.pdf`,
-      buffer: await this.releaseDocuments.htmlToPdfBuffer(html),
+      // Styled fallback titled as a handover (not a release order) for Chromium-less render.
+      buffer: await this.releaseDocuments.renderStyledDocument(
+        html,
+        {
+          titleLines: ['IMPORT GOODS', 'HANDOVER', 'DOCUMENT'],
+          subtitle: 'EDR TO CUSTOMER WAREHOUSE HANDOVER',
+          sectionTitle: 'HANDOVER PARTICULARS',
+          refLabel: 'Document / Handover No.',
+        },
+        'Import Goods Handover',
+      ),
     };
   }
 
@@ -2601,6 +2751,29 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryService {
       throw new BadRequestException('A release order must be issued before the goods can be delivered');
     }
 
+    // Self-haul: the customer's own truck delivers — deliver only after the
+    // handover is signed AND the truck has left the warehouse holding the goods.
+    if (item.bookingId) {
+      const [sh]: Array<{ assignedAt: string | null }> = await this.dataSource.query(
+        `SELECT customer_truck_assigned_at AS "assignedAt"
+           FROM freight.bookings WHERE id = $1 AND deleted_at IS NULL`,
+        [item.bookingId],
+      );
+      if (sh?.assignedAt) {
+        if (!(await this.handover.isFullySigned(item.bookingId))) {
+          throw new BadRequestException('Handover must be signed before delivery');
+        }
+        const [left]: Array<{ n: string }> = await this.dataSource.query(
+          `SELECT COUNT(*) AS n FROM freight.customer_truck_assignments
+            WHERE booking_id = $1 AND departed_at IS NOT NULL AND deleted_at IS NULL`,
+          [item.bookingId],
+        );
+        if (Number(left?.n ?? 0) === 0) {
+          throw new BadRequestException('Deliver is available only after the customer truck has left');
+        }
+      }
+    }
+
     const receiverName = dto.receiverName.trim();
     const deliveredAt = dto.deliveredAt ? new Date(dto.deliveredAt) : new Date();
     const weight = Number(item.weight) || 0;
@@ -2645,6 +2818,27 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryService {
         },
         manager,
       );
+
+      // Handover on delivery. EDR last-mile generates its handover HERE (after
+      // exit, on delivery). Self-haul handovers were generated on arrival —
+      // stamp them delivered.
+      if (item.bookingId) {
+        const [b]: Array<{ selfHaul: string | null }> = await manager.query(
+          `SELECT customer_truck_assigned_at AS "selfHaul"
+             FROM freight.bookings WHERE id = $1 AND deleted_at IS NULL`,
+          [item.bookingId],
+        );
+        if (b?.selfHaul) {
+          await manager.query(
+            `UPDATE freight.booking_handovers
+                SET delivered_at = COALESCE(delivered_at, NOW()), updated_at = NOW()
+              WHERE booking_id = $1 AND deleted_at IS NULL`,
+            [item.bookingId],
+          );
+        } else {
+          await this.handover.ensureAtDelivery(item.bookingId, {}, manager);
+        }
+      }
     });
 
     return this.findById(id);
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/warehouse-release-document.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/warehouse-release-document.service.ts
index 68e630e0b..1d8e3d9ea 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/warehouse-release-document.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/warehouse-release-document.service.ts
@@ -32,16 +32,38 @@ export class WarehouseReleaseDocumentService {
     return this.pdf.htmlToPdfBuffer(html, { label });
   }
 
-  private htmlToBasicPdfBuffer(html: string): Buffer {
+  /**
+   * Render document HTML with a STYLED hand-built fallback (the release layout,
+   * but with a custom title + section heading) for when Chromium is unavailable.
+   * Handover / GRN use this so their fallback looks like a proper document —
+   * not a plain-text dump, and not mislabelled as a release order.
+   */
+  renderStyledDocument(
+    html: string,
+    fallbackOpts: { titleLines?: string[]; subtitle?: string; sectionTitle?: string; refLabel?: string },
+    label = 'Document',
+  ): Promise<Buffer> {
+    return this.pdf.htmlToPdfBuffer(html, {
+      label,
+      fallback: (preparedHtml) => this.htmlToBasicPdfBuffer(preparedHtml, fallbackOpts),
+    });
+  }
+
+  private htmlToBasicPdfBuffer(
+    html: string,
+    opts?: { titleLines?: string[]; subtitle?: string; sectionTitle?: string; refLabel?: string },
+  ): Buffer {
     const doc = this.extractReleaseDocument(html);
+    const titleLines = (opts?.titleLines ?? ['WAREHOUSE GATE', 'CLEARANCE / RELEASE', 'ORDER']).slice(0, 3);
+    const subtitle = opts?.subtitle ?? 'OFFICIAL WAREHOUSE RELEASE AND EXIT AUTHORIZATION';
+    const sectionTitle = opts?.sectionTitle ?? 'RELEASE PARTICULARS';
+    const refLabel = opts?.refLabel ?? 'Document / Release No.';
     const body: string[] = [
       this.lineOp(36, 810, 559, 810, '0 0 0', 2.2),
       this.textOp('ETHIO-DJIBOUTI RAILWAY S.C.', 36, 787, 9, 'F2', '0.08 0.32 0.18'),
-      this.textOp('WAREHOUSE GATE', 36, 764, 24, 'F2', '0.02 0.08 0.16'),
-      this.textOp('CLEARANCE / RELEASE', 36, 742, 24, 'F2', '0.02 0.08 0.16'),
-      this.textOp('ORDER', 36, 720, 24, 'F2', '0.02 0.08 0.16'),
-      this.textOp('OFFICIAL WAREHOUSE RELEASE AND EXIT AUTHORIZATION', 36, 696, 8.5, 'F1', '0.25 0.34 0.45'),
-      this.textOp('Document / Release No.', 424, 781, 8.5, 'F1', '0.15 0.22 0.32'),
+      ...titleLines.map((line, i) => this.textOp(line, 36, 764 - i * 22, 24, 'F2', '0.02 0.08 0.16')),
+      this.textOp(subtitle, 36, 764 - titleLines.length * 22 + 2, 8.5, 'F1', '0.25 0.34 0.45'),
+      this.textOp(refLabel, 424, 781, 8.5, 'F1', '0.15 0.22 0.32'),
       this.textOp(doc.reference, 504 - doc.reference.length * 2.2, 761, 15, 'F2', '0.02 0.08 0.16'),
       this.textOp(`Issued: ${doc.issuedAt}`, 424, 742, 8.5, 'F1', '0.15 0.22 0.32'),
       this.lineOp(36, 682, 559, 682, '0.08 0.32 0.18', 2),
@@ -50,7 +72,7 @@ export class WarehouseReleaseDocumentService {
       ...this.wrapLines(doc.notice, 68)
         .slice(0, 4)
         .map((line, index) => this.textOp(line, 52, 659 - index * 12, 9.2, 'F1')),
-      this.textOp('RELEASE PARTICULARS', 36, 604, 10, 'F2', '0.08 0.32 0.18'),
+      this.textOp(sectionTitle, 36, 604, 10, 'F2', '0.08 0.32 0.18'),
     ];
 
     let y = 586;
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/warehouses.module.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/warehouses.module.ts
index b871d2a36..5f0ce5749 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/warehouses.module.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/warehouses/warehouses.module.ts
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ import { WarehouseAllocationRule } from './entities/warehouse-allocation-rule.en
 import { WarehouseFeeRule } from './entities/warehouse-fee-rule.entity';
 import { WarehouseInspectionReport } from './entities/warehouse-inspection-report.entity';
 import { WarehouseInventory } from './entities/warehouse-inventory.entity';
+import { BookingHandover } from './entities/booking-handover.entity';
+import { HandoverService } from './handover.service';
 import { WarehouseInventoryMovement } from './entities/warehouse-inventory-movement.entity';
 import { WarehouseLoading } from './entities/warehouse-loading.entity';
 import { WarehouseYard } from './entities/warehouse-yard.entity';
@@ -65,6 +67,7 @@ import { WarehousesService } from './warehouses.service';
       WarehouseInspectionReport,
       WarehouseAllocationRule,
       WarehouseFeeRule,
+      BookingHandover,
     ]),
     BillingModule,
     DocumentsModule,
@@ -113,6 +116,7 @@ import { WarehousesService } from './warehouses.service';
     WarehouseSchedulingAdapterService,
     WarehouseReleaseDocumentService,
     SchedulingReadFacade,
+    HandoverService,
   ],
   exports: [
     WarehousesService,
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/seed/approved-first-lastmile-demo-bookings.seeder.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/seed/approved-first-lastmile-demo-bookings.seeder.ts
index 6b0465112..b67f1f572 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/seed/approved-first-lastmile-demo-bookings.seeder.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/seed/approved-first-lastmile-demo-bookings.seeder.ts
@@ -20,8 +20,8 @@ const COMPANY_TIN = 'FLMDEMO001';
 const COMPANY_EMAIL = 'first-last-mile-demo@edr.local';
 
 const YARDS = [
-  { code: 'DJIBOUTI', label: 'Djibouti', country: 'Djibouti', displayOrder: 1 },
-  { code: 'ADDIS_ABABA', label: 'Addis Ababa', country: 'Ethiopia', displayOrder: 2 },
+  { code: 'DJIBOUTI', label: 'Djibouti', country: 'Djibouti' as const, displayOrder: 1 },
+  { code: 'ADDIS_ABABA', label: 'Addis Ababa', country: 'Ethiopia' as const, displayOrder: 2 },
 ];
 
 const CONTAINER_TYPES = [
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/seed/demo-bookings.seeder.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/seed/demo-bookings.seeder.ts
index a619c7c05..be5e1c87d 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/seed/demo-bookings.seeder.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/seed/demo-bookings.seeder.ts
@@ -28,17 +28,22 @@ const COMPANY_EMAIL = "train-scheduling-demo@edr.local";
 const COMPANY_TIN = "1234567890";
 
 const YARDS = [
-  { code: "DJIBOUTI", label: "Djibouti", country: "Djibouti", displayOrder: 1 },
+  {
+    code: "DJIBOUTI",
+    label: "Djibouti",
+    country: "Djibouti" as const,
+    displayOrder: 1,
+  },
   {
     code: "ADDIS_ABABA",
     label: "Addis Ababa",
-    country: "Ethiopia",
+    country: "Ethiopia" as const,
     displayOrder: 2,
   },
   {
     code: "DIRE_DAWA",
     label: "Dire Dawa",
-    country: "Ethiopia",
+    country: "Ethiopia" as const,
     displayOrder: 3,
   },
 ];
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/seed/paid-import-export-mile-demo.seeder.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/seed/paid-import-export-mile-demo.seeder.ts
index 708afb86b..732653a9d 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/seed/paid-import-export-mile-demo.seeder.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/seed/paid-import-export-mile-demo.seeder.ts
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ const COMPANY_TIN = 'PAIDMILE001';
 const COMPANY_EMAIL = 'paid-mile-demo@edr.local';
 
 const YARDS = [
-  { code: 'DJIBOUTI', label: 'Djibouti', country: 'Djibouti', displayOrder: 1 },
-  { code: 'ADDIS_ABABA', label: 'Addis Ababa', country: 'Ethiopia', displayOrder: 2 },
+  { code: 'DJIBOUTI', label: 'Djibouti', country: 'Djibouti' as const, displayOrder: 1 },
+  { code: 'ADDIS_ABABA', label: 'Addis Ababa', country: 'Ethiopia' as const, displayOrder: 2 },
 ];
 
 const CONTAINER_TYPES = [
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/contracts/GlUpcomingWindowsSection.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/contracts/GlUpcomingWindowsSection.tsx
index dc95729c1..6f21a50a2 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/contracts/GlUpcomingWindowsSection.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/contracts/GlUpcomingWindowsSection.tsx
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import {
 } from "lucide-react";
 import { CountdownTimer } from "@edr/ui-common";
 
+import { useBookingWindowSocket } from "@/features/bookingWindows/useBookingWindowSocket";
 import { api } from "@/services/api";
 import type { StaffBookingWindow } from "@/types/trainScheduling";
 
@@ -224,6 +225,9 @@ function WindowCard({ w }: { w: StaffBookingWindow }) {
  * Hidden when nothing is pending.
  */
 export function GlUpcomingWindowsSection() {
+  // Live pushes flip cards the moment the window engine transitions a phase;
+  // the 60s poll below stays only as a fallback.
+  useBookingWindowSocket();
   const { data, isLoading } = useQuery(
     api.trainScheduling.allBookingWindows.queryOptions({
       refetchInterval: 60_000,
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/trainScheduling/BookingWindowSettingsModal.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/trainScheduling/BookingWindowSettingsModal.tsx
index 2e32dcf45..ec3774ce6 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/trainScheduling/BookingWindowSettingsModal.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/trainScheduling/BookingWindowSettingsModal.tsx
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ const DEFAULTS = {
   docReviewMinutes: 30,
   paymentWindowMinutes: 60,
   importWindowLeadDays: 3,
+  exportBookingLeadHours: 24,
 };
 
 /** 12-hour label for an EAT hour 0–23, e.g. 8 → "8:00 AM", 17 → "5:00 PM". */
@@ -53,6 +54,7 @@ interface FormState {
   docReviewMinutes: number | "";
   paymentWindowMinutes: number | "";
   importWindowLeadDays: number | "";
+  exportBookingLeadHours: number | "";
 }
 
 function parseError(error: unknown, fallback: string): string {
@@ -112,6 +114,8 @@ export default function BookingWindowSettingsModal({
         r?.paymentWindowMinutes ?? DEFAULTS.paymentWindowMinutes,
       importWindowLeadDays:
         r?.importWindowLeadDays ?? DEFAULTS.importWindowLeadDays,
+      exportBookingLeadHours:
+        r?.exportBookingLeadHours ?? DEFAULTS.exportBookingLeadHours,
     });
   }, [opened, schedule]);
 
@@ -142,15 +146,20 @@ export default function BookingWindowSettingsModal({
     const doc = Number(form.docReviewMinutes);
     const pay = Number(form.paymentWindowMinutes);
     const lead = Number(form.importWindowLeadDays);
+    const exportLead = Number(form.exportBookingLeadHours);
+    const leadInvalid = isExport
+      ? form.exportBookingLeadHours === "" ||
+        !Number.isFinite(exportLead) ||
+        exportLead < 1
+      : form.importWindowLeadDays === "" || !Number.isFinite(lead);
     if (
       form.windowDurationHours === "" ||
       form.docReviewMinutes === "" ||
       form.paymentWindowMinutes === "" ||
-      form.importWindowLeadDays === "" ||
       !Number.isFinite(duration) ||
       !Number.isFinite(doc) ||
       !Number.isFinite(pay) ||
-      !Number.isFinite(lead)
+      leadInvalid
     ) {
       toast({
         title: "Fill every field before saving",
@@ -164,7 +173,9 @@ export default function BookingWindowSettingsModal({
       windowDurationHours: duration,
       docReviewMinutes: doc,
       paymentWindowMinutes: pay,
-      importWindowLeadDays: lead,
+      ...(isExport
+        ? { exportBookingLeadHours: exportLead }
+        : { importWindowLeadDays: lead }),
     };
 
     try {
@@ -223,8 +234,10 @@ export default function BookingWindowSettingsModal({
         <Stack gap="lg">
           {isExport ? (
             <Alert variant="light" color="blue" icon={<Info size={16} />}>
-              Export schedules use a single FCFS lead window — the daily desk
-              hours below don't apply, only the lead time does.
+              Export schedules use a single first-come-first-served window: it
+              opens the export lead time before departure — shifted to the next
+              desk opening if that lands outside desk hours — and stays open
+              until departure. Cycle timing below doesn't apply.
             </Alert>
           ) : null}
 
@@ -263,7 +276,6 @@ export default function BookingWindowSettingsModal({
                 }
                 allowDeselect={false}
                 comboboxProps={{ withinPortal: true }}
-                disabled={isExport}
               />
               <Select
                 label="Closes"
@@ -275,7 +287,6 @@ export default function BookingWindowSettingsModal({
                 }
                 allowDeselect={false}
                 comboboxProps={{ withinPortal: true }}
-                disabled={isExport}
               />
             </Group>
             {isOvernight && !is24h ? (
@@ -290,7 +301,6 @@ export default function BookingWindowSettingsModal({
               color="grape"
               label="Run 24 hours a day (never pause overnight)"
               checked={is24h}
-              disabled={isExport}
               onChange={(e) => {
                 const checked = e.currentTarget.checked;
                 setForm((f) => {
@@ -304,12 +314,11 @@ export default function BookingWindowSettingsModal({
                 });
               }}
             />
-            {!isExport ? (
-              <Text size="xs" c="dimmed" mt={6}>
-                A not-yet-full train pauses at the close hour and resumes the next
-                morning at the open hour, every day until it fills or departs.
-              </Text>
-            ) : null}
+            <Text size="xs" c="dimmed" mt={6}>
+              {isExport
+                ? "If the export lead time lands while the desk is shut, booking opens at the next desk opening instead."
+                : "A not-yet-full train pauses at the close hour and resumes the next morning at the open hour, every day until it fills or departs."}
+            </Text>
           </Box>
 
           <Divider />
@@ -367,27 +376,43 @@ export default function BookingWindowSettingsModal({
           <Divider />
 
           {/* ── Lead time ────────────────────────────────────────────────── */}
-          <NumberInput
-            label={isExport ? "Booking lead (days)" : "Window lead (days)"}
-            description={
-              isExport
-                ? "How many days before departure export booking opens"
-                : "How many days before departure the booking window starts"
-            }
-            value={form.importWindowLeadDays}
-            onChange={(v) =>
-              setForm(
-                (f) =>
-                  f && {
-                    ...f,
-                    importWindowLeadDays: v === "" ? "" : Number(v),
-                  },
-              )
-            }
-            min={0}
-            clampBehavior="none"
-            allowDecimal={false}
-          />
+          {isExport ? (
+            <NumberInput
+              label="Export booking lead (hours)"
+              description="How many hours before departure the export booking window opens"
+              value={form.exportBookingLeadHours}
+              onChange={(v) =>
+                setForm(
+                  (f) =>
+                    f && {
+                      ...f,
+                      exportBookingLeadHours: v === "" ? "" : Number(v),
+                    },
+                )
+              }
+              min={1}
+              clampBehavior="none"
+              allowDecimal={false}
+            />
+          ) : (
+            <NumberInput
+              label="Window lead (days)"
+              description="How many days before departure the booking window starts"
+              value={form.importWindowLeadDays}
+              onChange={(v) =>
+                setForm(
+                  (f) =>
+                    f && {
+                      ...f,
+                      importWindowLeadDays: v === "" ? "" : Number(v),
+                    },
+                )
+              }
+              min={0}
+              clampBehavior="none"
+              allowDecimal={false}
+            />
+          )}
 
           <Group justify="flex-end" mt="xs">
             <Button variant="default" onClick={onClose} disabled={save.isPending}>
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/trainScheduling/IntercityRideAlongPanel.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/trainScheduling/IntercityRideAlongPanel.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..275e2d9c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/trainScheduling/IntercityRideAlongPanel.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,376 @@
+import { useState } from "react";
+import {
+  Alert,
+  Badge,
+  Button,
+  Checkbox,
+  Group,
+  Loader,
+  Paper,
+  Stack,
+  Table,
+  Text,
+  Tooltip,
+} from "@mantine/core";
+import { useMutation, useQuery, useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
+import { AlertCircle, ArrowRight, PackageCheck, PackageOpen, TrainFront } from "lucide-react";
+
+import { api } from "@/services/api";
+import { useToast } from "@/hooks/use-toast";
+import type {
+  IntercityBookingRow,
+  IntercityCapacity,
+} from "@/types/trainScheduling";
+
+const parseError = (error: unknown, fallback: string) => {
+  const message = (error as { response?: { data?: { message?: string | string[] } } })
+    ?.response?.data?.message;
+  if (Array.isArray(message)) return message.join("; ");
+  return message || (error as Error)?.message || fallback;
+};
+
+function fmt(n: number): string {
+  return Number.isInteger(n) ? String(n) : n.toFixed(1);
+}
+
+function CapacityBadges({ capacity }: { capacity: IntercityCapacity | null }) {
+  if (!capacity) {
+    return (
+      <Text size="sm" c="dimmed">
+        Capacity unknown — schedule has no locomotive/train set yet.
+      </Text>
+    );
+  }
+  return (
+    <Group gap="xs">
+      <Badge variant="light" color={capacity.wagons > 0 ? "teal" : "red"}>
+        {fmt(capacity.wagons)} wagons free
+      </Badge>
+      <Badge variant="light" color={capacity.weightTons > 0 ? "teal" : "red"}>
+        {fmt(capacity.weightTons)} t free
+      </Badge>
+      <Badge variant="light" color={capacity.lengthMeters > 0 ? "teal" : "red"}>
+        {fmt(capacity.lengthMeters)} m free
+      </Badge>
+    </Group>
+  );
+}
+
+function NeedCells({ need }: { need: IntercityCapacity | null }) {
+  if (!need) return <Table.Td colSpan={3}>—</Table.Td>;
+  return (
+    <>
+      <Table.Td>{fmt(need.wagons)}</Table.Td>
+      <Table.Td>{fmt(need.weightTons)} t</Table.Td>
+      <Table.Td>{fmt(need.lengthMeters)} m</Table.Td>
+    </>
+  );
+}
+
+function CorridorCell({ row }: { row: IntercityBookingRow }) {
+  return (
+    <Group gap={6} wrap="nowrap">
+      <Text size="sm">{row.origin}</Text>
+      <ArrowRight size={13} />
+      <Text size="sm">{row.destination}</Text>
+    </Group>
+  );
+}
+
+/**
+ * Intercity ride-along desk for one import/export schedule: waiting intercity
+ * bookings whose corridor lies on this train's route, checked against the
+ * remaining wagon/weight/length budget. Accepting opens the customer's pay
+ * window; after payment the booking is allocated. Loading/unloading is
+ * confirmed manually when the train is physically at the booking's origin /
+ * destination yard (the server validates against recorded checkpoints).
+ */
+export function IntercityRideAlongPanel({
+  scheduleId,
+  direction,
+}: {
+  scheduleId: string;
+  direction: string | null | undefined;
+}) {
+  const { toast } = useToast();
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient();
+  const [selected, setSelected] = useState<string[]>([]);
+
+  const candidatesQuery = useQuery(
+    api.trainScheduling.intercityCandidates.queryOptions({
+      input: { scheduleId },
+      refetchInterval: 60_000,
+    }),
+  );
+
+  const invalidate = () =>
+    queryClient.invalidateQueries({
+      queryKey: api.trainScheduling.intercityCandidates.queryKey({ scheduleId }),
+    });
+
+  const accept = useMutation(
+    api.trainScheduling.acceptIntercityBookings.mutationOptions({
+      onSuccess: (result) => {
+        setSelected([]);
+        void invalidate();
+        if (result.accepted.length > 0) {
+          toast({
+            title: `${result.accepted.length} intercity booking(s) accepted`,
+            description: "Customers have been asked to pay.",
+          });
+        }
+        for (const r of result.rejected) {
+          toast({
+            title: "Booking skipped",
+            description: r.reason,
+            variant: "destructive",
+          });
+        }
+      },
+      onError: (err) =>
+        toast({
+          title: "Accept failed",
+          description: parseError(err, "Could not accept intercity bookings"),
+          variant: "destructive",
+        }),
+    }),
+  );
+
+  const load = useMutation(
+    api.trainScheduling.loadIntercityBooking.mutationOptions({
+      onSuccess: () => {
+        void invalidate();
+        toast({ title: "Cargo loaded" });
+      },
+      onError: (err) =>
+        toast({
+          title: "Load failed",
+          description: parseError(err, "Could not confirm loading"),
+          variant: "destructive",
+        }),
+    }),
+  );
+
+  const unload = useMutation(
+    api.trainScheduling.unloadIntercityBooking.mutationOptions({
+      onSuccess: () => {
+        void invalidate();
+        toast({ title: "Cargo unloaded — booking completed" });
+      },
+      onError: (err) =>
+        toast({
+          title: "Unload failed",
+          description: parseError(err, "Could not confirm unloading"),
+          variant: "destructive",
+        }),
+    }),
+  );
+
+  // Intercity bookings only ride import/export trains.
+  if (direction !== "IMPORT" && direction !== "EXPORT") return null;
+
+  const data = candidatesQuery.data;
+  const candidates = data?.candidates ?? [];
+  const accepted = data?.accepted ?? [];
+
+  if (candidatesQuery.isLoading) {
+    return (
+      <Paper withBorder radius="lg" p="lg" mt="md">
+        <Group gap="xs">
+          <Loader size="xs" />
+          <Text size="sm" c="dimmed">
+            Loading intercity ride-along bookings…
+          </Text>
+        </Group>
+      </Paper>
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (candidates.length === 0 && accepted.length === 0) return null;
+
+  return (
+    <Paper withBorder radius="lg" p="lg" mt="md">
+      <Stack gap="md">
+        <Group justify="space-between" wrap="wrap">
+          <Group gap="xs">
+            <TrainFront size={18} />
+            <Text fw={700}>Intercity ride-along</Text>
+          </Group>
+          <CapacityBadges capacity={data?.remaining ?? null} />
+        </Group>
+
+        {candidates.length > 0 && (
+          <>
+            <Text size="sm" c="dimmed">
+              Waiting intercity bookings whose corridor lies on this train's
+              route. Accepting opens the customer's payment window against the
+              free capacity above.
+            </Text>
+            <Table.ScrollContainer minWidth={720}>
+              <Table verticalSpacing="xs" highlightOnHover>
+                <Table.Thead>
+                  <Table.Tr>
+                    <Table.Th w={36} />
+                    <Table.Th>Booking</Table.Th>
+                    <Table.Th>Customer</Table.Th>
+                    <Table.Th>Corridor</Table.Th>
+                    <Table.Th>Wagons</Table.Th>
+                    <Table.Th>Weight</Table.Th>
+                    <Table.Th>Length</Table.Th>
+                    <Table.Th>Fits</Table.Th>
+                  </Table.Tr>
+                </Table.Thead>
+                <Table.Tbody>
+                  {candidates.map((row) => (
+                    <Table.Tr key={row.id}>
+                      <Table.Td>
+                        <Checkbox
+                          size="xs"
+                          checked={selected.includes(row.id)}
+                          onChange={(e) =>
+                            setSelected((prev) =>
+                              e.currentTarget.checked
+                                ? [...prev, row.id]
+                                : prev.filter((id) => id !== row.id),
+                            )
+                          }
+                        />
+                      </Table.Td>
+                      <Table.Td>
+                        <Group gap={6}>
+                          <Text size="sm" fw={600}>
+                            {row.reference ?? row.id.slice(0, 8)}
+                          </Text>
+                          {row.isGovernment && (
+                            <Badge size="xs" variant="light" color="grape">
+                              GOV
+                            </Badge>
+                          )}
+                        </Group>
+                      </Table.Td>
+                      <Table.Td>
+                        <Text size="sm">{row.customer}</Text>
+                      </Table.Td>
+                      <Table.Td>
+                        <CorridorCell row={row} />
+                      </Table.Td>
+                      <NeedCells need={row.need} />
+                      <Table.Td>
+                        {row.fits ? (
+                          <Badge size="sm" variant="light" color="teal">
+                            Fits
+                          </Badge>
+                        ) : (
+                          <Tooltip label="Exceeds the remaining wagon/weight/length budget">
+                            <Badge size="sm" variant="light" color="red">
+                              No room
+                            </Badge>
+                          </Tooltip>
+                        )}
+                      </Table.Td>
+                    </Table.Tr>
+                  ))}
+                </Table.Tbody>
+              </Table>
+            </Table.ScrollContainer>
+            <Group justify="flex-end">
+              <Button
+                size="xs"
+                color="edr-green"
+                loading={accept.isPending}
+                disabled={selected.length === 0}
+                onClick={() => accept.mutate({ scheduleId, bookingIds: selected })}
+              >
+                Accept {selected.length > 0 ? `${selected.length} ` : ""}onto this train
+              </Button>
+            </Group>
+          </>
+        )}
+
+        {accepted.length > 0 && (
+          <>
+            <Text size="sm" fw={600}>
+              On this train
+            </Text>
+            <Table.ScrollContainer minWidth={680}>
+              <Table verticalSpacing="xs">
+                <Table.Thead>
+                  <Table.Tr>
+                    <Table.Th>Booking</Table.Th>
+                    <Table.Th>Customer</Table.Th>
+                    <Table.Th>Corridor</Table.Th>
+                    <Table.Th>Status</Table.Th>
+                    <Table.Th />
+                  </Table.Tr>
+                </Table.Thead>
+                <Table.Tbody>
+                  {accepted.map((row) => (
+                    <Table.Tr key={row.id}>
+                      <Table.Td>
+                        <Text size="sm" fw={600}>
+                          {row.reference ?? row.id.slice(0, 8)}
+                        </Text>
+                      </Table.Td>
+                      <Table.Td>
+                        <Text size="sm">{row.customer}</Text>
+                      </Table.Td>
+                      <Table.Td>
+                        <CorridorCell row={row} />
+                      </Table.Td>
+                      <Table.Td>
+                        <Badge size="sm" variant="light">
+                          {row.status}
+                        </Badge>
+                      </Table.Td>
+                      <Table.Td>
+                        <Group gap="xs" justify="flex-end">
+                          {row.status === "PAID" && (
+                            <Tooltip label="Train must be at the booking's origin yard">
+                              <Button
+                                size="compact-xs"
+                                variant="light"
+                                leftSection={<PackageCheck size={13} />}
+                                loading={load.isPending}
+                                onClick={() =>
+                                  load.mutate({ scheduleId, bookingId: row.id })
+                                }
+                              >
+                                Load
+                              </Button>
+                            </Tooltip>
+                          )}
+                          {row.status === "IN_TRANSIT" && (
+                            <Tooltip label="Train must be at the booking's destination yard">
+                              <Button
+                                size="compact-xs"
+                                variant="light"
+                                color="orange"
+                                leftSection={<PackageOpen size={13} />}
+                                loading={unload.isPending}
+                                onClick={() =>
+                                  unload.mutate({ scheduleId, bookingId: row.id })
+                                }
+                              >
+                                Unload
+                              </Button>
+                            </Tooltip>
+                          )}
+                        </Group>
+                      </Table.Td>
+                    </Table.Tr>
+                  ))}
+                </Table.Tbody>
+              </Table>
+            </Table.ScrollContainer>
+          </>
+        )}
+
+        {candidatesQuery.isError && (
+          <Alert color="red" variant="light" icon={<AlertCircle size={16} />}>
+            {parseError(candidatesQuery.error, "Could not load intercity candidates")}
+          </Alert>
+        )}
+      </Stack>
+    </Paper>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/warehouses/ReceiveInventoryModal.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/warehouses/ReceiveInventoryModal.tsx
index 32b0b5a5d..e1e12e915 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/warehouses/ReceiveInventoryModal.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/warehouses/ReceiveInventoryModal.tsx
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ import type {
 } from '@/types/warehouse';
 import { BookingSelect } from './BookingSelect';
 import { DeliverInventoryModal } from './DeliverInventoryModal';
+import { TruckDispatchModal } from './TruckDispatchModal';
 import { FeePreviewModal } from './FeePreviewModal';
 import { InspectionReportModal } from './InspectionReportModal';
 import { InventoryDetailModal } from './InventoryDetailModal';
@@ -2151,7 +2152,6 @@ function ImportUnloadedQueueTab({ enabled }: { enabled: boolean }) {
   );
   const storeMutation = useMutation(api.warehouses.store.mutationOptions());
   const readyMutation = useMutation(api.warehouses.markReadyForPickup.mutationOptions());
-  const dispatchMutation = useMutation(api.warehouses.dispatch.mutationOptions());
   const [selected, setSelected] = useState<Set<string>>(new Set());
   const [inspectId, setInspectId] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [busyId, setBusyId] = useState<string | null>(null);
@@ -2160,6 +2160,7 @@ function ImportUnloadedQueueTab({ enabled }: { enabled: boolean }) {
   const [feeItem, setFeeItem] = useState<WarehouseInventoryItem | null>(null);
   const [releaseItem, setReleaseItem] = useState<WarehouseInventoryItem | null>(null);
   const [deliverItem, setDeliverItem] = useState<WarehouseInventoryItem | null>(null);
+  const [loadTruckItem, setLoadTruckItem] = useState<WarehouseInventoryItem | null>(null);
 
   const allSelected = rows.length > 0 && selected.size === rows.length;
   const someSelected = selected.size > 0 && !allSelected;
@@ -2419,9 +2420,9 @@ function ImportUnloadedQueueTab({ enabled }: { enabled: boolean }) {
                           variant="light"
                           color="green"
                           loading={busyId === r.id}
-                          onClick={() => runRowAction(r, 'Inventory dispatched', () => dispatchMutation.mutateAsync(r.id))}
+                          onClick={() => setLoadTruckItem(toInventoryItem(r))}
                         >
-                          Dispatch
+                          Truck_dispatch
                         </Button>
                       )}
                       {r.currentStatus === 'READY_FOR_PICKUP' && r.releaseDate && (
@@ -2493,6 +2494,12 @@ function ImportUnloadedQueueTab({ enabled }: { enabled: boolean }) {
       />
       <ReleaseOrderModal opened={Boolean(releaseItem)} onClose={() => setReleaseItem(null)} item={releaseItem} />
       <DeliverInventoryModal opened={Boolean(deliverItem)} onClose={() => setDeliverItem(null)} item={deliverItem} />
+      <TruckDispatchModal
+        opened={Boolean(loadTruckItem)}
+        onClose={() => setLoadTruckItem(null)}
+        bookingId={loadTruckItem?.booking?.id ?? null}
+        bookingReference={loadTruckItem?.booking?.reference ?? null}
+      />
     </Stack>
   );
 }
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/warehouses/ReleaseOrderModal.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/warehouses/ReleaseOrderModal.tsx
index b962a7393..0471d51c6 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/warehouses/ReleaseOrderModal.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/warehouses/ReleaseOrderModal.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
 import { Alert, Button, Group, Modal, NumberInput, Select, SimpleGrid, Stack, Text, TextInput } from '@mantine/core';
 import { Info, Scale } from 'lucide-react';
 
-import { useMutation } from '@tanstack/react-query';
+import { useMutation, useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query';
 
 import { api } from '@/services/api';
 import { useToast } from '@/hooks/use-toast';
@@ -134,6 +134,13 @@ const parseInspectionNote = (notes: string | null | undefined) => {
 export function ReleaseOrderModal({ opened, onClose, item, truckPrefill }: ReleaseOrderModalProps) {
   const { toast } = useToast();
   const releaseMutation = useMutation(api.warehouses.release.mutationOptions());
+  const bookingId = item?.booking?.id;
+  // Customer self-haul trucks assigned to this booking via the portal.
+  const { data: customerTrucks = [] } = useQuery({
+    queryKey: ['release-customer-trucks', bookingId],
+    queryFn: () => warehouseService.getCustomerTrucks(bookingId as string),
+    enabled: opened && Boolean(bookingId),
+  });
   const [reference, setReference] = useState('');
   const [truckPlateNumber, setTruckPlateNumber] = useState('');
   const [trailerPlateNumber, setTrailerPlateNumber] = useState('');
@@ -178,6 +185,44 @@ export function ReleaseOrderModal({ opened, onClose, item, truckPrefill }: Relea
   const isEntranceLocked = isExitStep;
   const isCustomerAssignedTruck = Boolean(item?.booking?.customerTruckAssignedAt);
   const hasLastMileTruckPrefill = Boolean(truckPrefill?.truckPlateNumber || truckPrefill?.trailerPlateNumber);
+
+  // Registered trucks for THIS booking, from both sources: EDR last-mile
+  // (truckPrefill) and the customer portal (customer_truck_assignments).
+  const assignedTruckOptions = [
+    ...(truckPrefill?.truckPlateNumber
+      ? [
+          {
+            value: truckPrefill.truckPlateNumber,
+            label: `Last-mile · ${truckPrefill.truckPlateNumber}`,
+            trailerPlate: truckPrefill.trailerPlateNumber ?? '',
+            driverName: truckPrefill.driverName ?? '',
+            driverPhone: truckPrefill.driverPhone ?? '',
+            truckType: truckPrefill.truckType ?? '',
+          },
+        ]
+      : []),
+    ...customerTrucks.map((t) => ({
+      value: t.plateNumber,
+      label: `Customer · ${t.plateNumber} — ${t.driverName}`,
+      trailerPlate: '',
+      driverName: t.driverName,
+      driverPhone: '',
+      truckType: t.truckType,
+    })),
+  ];
+  const truckSelectOptions = [
+    ...assignedTruckOptions,
+    ...REGISTERED_FIRST_LAST_MILE_TRUCKS.map((t) => ({
+      value: t.value,
+      label: t.label,
+      trailerPlate: t.trailerPlate,
+      driverName: '',
+      driverPhone: '',
+      truckType: '',
+    })),
+  ];
+  // Neither a last-mile truck nor a customer truck has been assigned yet.
+  const noTruckAssigned = assignedTruckOptions.length === 0 && !isCustomerAssignedTruck;
   const isTruckIdentityLocked = isEntranceLocked || isCustomerAssignedTruck || hasLastMileTruckPrefill;
   const isDriverNameLocked = isEntranceLocked || isCustomerAssignedTruck || Boolean(truckPrefill?.driverName);
   const systemNetWeight = item?.weight == null ? netWeight : Number(item.weight);
@@ -286,18 +331,26 @@ export function ReleaseOrderModal({ opened, onClose, item, truckPrefill }: Relea
           onChange={(e) => setReference(e.currentTarget.value)}
           readOnly={isEntranceLocked}
         />
+        {noTruckAssigned && (
+          <Alert color="orange" variant="light" icon={<Info size={16} />}>
+            Truck is not assigned yet — assign a last-mile or customer truck, or enter the plate manually below.
+          </Alert>
+        )}
         <Select
           label="Registered first / last-mile truck"
           placeholder="Select truck or type plate manually below"
           searchable
           clearable
-          data={REGISTERED_FIRST_LAST_MILE_TRUCKS}
+          data={truckSelectOptions}
           disabled={isTruckIdentityLocked}
-          value={REGISTERED_FIRST_LAST_MILE_TRUCKS.some((truck) => truck.value === truckPlateNumber) ? truckPlateNumber : null}
+          value={truckSelectOptions.some((truck) => truck.value === truckPlateNumber) ? truckPlateNumber : null}
           onChange={(value) => {
-            const truck = REGISTERED_FIRST_LAST_MILE_TRUCKS.find((row) => row.value === value);
+            const truck = truckSelectOptions.find((row) => row.value === value);
             setTruckPlateNumber(truck?.value ?? '');
             setTrailerPlateNumber(truck?.trailerPlate ?? '');
+            if (truck?.driverName) setDriverName(truck.driverName);
+            if (truck?.driverPhone) setDriverPhone(truck.driverPhone);
+            if (truck?.truckType) setTruckType(truck.truckType);
           }}
         />
         <Group grow>
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/warehouses/TruckDispatchModal.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/warehouses/TruckDispatchModal.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..73e37c1ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/warehouses/TruckDispatchModal.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+import { Alert, Badge, Button, Group, Loader, Modal, MultiSelect, Stack, Text } from '@mantine/core';
+import { useMutation, useQuery, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query';
+import { FileText, Truck } from 'lucide-react';
+import { useState } from 'react';
+
+import { useToast } from '@/hooks/use-toast';
+import { warehouseService } from '@/services/warehouse.service';
+import { extractErrorMessage } from './options';
+import { openPdfBlob } from './pdf';
+
+interface TruckDispatchModalProps {
+  opened: boolean;
+  onClose: () => void;
+  bookingId: string | null;
+  bookingReference?: string | null;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Truck_dispatch: after a self-haul truck arrives, staff select which of the
+ * booking's containers ride each truck. The loaded set drives the truck's gross
+ * weight; the truck is weighed for real on departure.
+ */
+export function TruckDispatchModal({ opened, onClose, bookingId, bookingReference }: TruckDispatchModalProps) {
+  const { toast } = useToast();
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient();
+  const [selectedByTruck, setSelectedByTruck] = useState<Record<string, string[]>>({});
+
+  const trucksKey = ['td-customer-trucks', bookingId];
+  const loadableKey = ['td-loadable', bookingId];
+
+  const { data: trucks = [], isLoading: trucksLoading } = useQuery({
+    queryKey: trucksKey,
+    queryFn: () => warehouseService.getCustomerTrucks(bookingId as string),
+    enabled: opened && Boolean(bookingId),
+  });
+  const { data: loadable = [], isLoading: loadableLoading } = useQuery({
+    queryKey: loadableKey,
+    queryFn: () => warehouseService.getLoadableContainers(bookingId as string),
+    enabled: opened && Boolean(bookingId),
+  });
+
+  const loadMutation = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: ({ assignmentId, containerNumbers }: { assignmentId: string; containerNumbers: string[] }) =>
+      warehouseService.loadTruck(bookingId as string, assignmentId, containerNumbers),
+    onSuccess: (_res, vars) => {
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: trucksKey });
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: loadableKey });
+      setSelectedByTruck((s) => ({ ...s, [vars.assignmentId]: [] }));
+      toast({ title: 'Truck loaded' });
+    },
+    onError: (e) => toast({ variant: 'destructive', title: 'Load failed', description: extractErrorMessage(e) }),
+  });
+
+  const openTruckExitPaper = async (assignmentId: string, plate: string) => {
+    try {
+      const res = await warehouseService.downloadTruckExitPaper(assignmentId);
+      openPdfBlob(res.data, `exit-${plate}.pdf`);
+    } catch (e) {
+      toast({ variant: 'destructive', title: 'Exit paper not ready', description: extractErrorMessage(e) });
+    }
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <Modal
+      opened={opened}
+      onClose={onClose}
+      centered
+      size="lg"
+      title={
+        <Group gap={8}>
+          <Truck size={18} />
+          <Text fw={700}>Truck_dispatch — load containers {bookingReference ? `· ${bookingReference}` : ''}</Text>
+        </Group>
+      }
+    >
+      {trucksLoading || loadableLoading ? (
+        <Group justify="center" py="lg">
+          <Loader />
+        </Group>
+      ) : trucks.length === 0 ? (
+        <Alert color="orange" variant="light">
+          No customer truck is assigned to this booking yet.
+        </Alert>
+      ) : (
+        <Stack gap="md">
+          {trucks.map((t) => {
+            const alreadyLoaded = (t.containers ?? []).map((c) => c.containerNumber);
+            // Options = still-loadable + this truck's own already-loaded (so they stay visible).
+            const options = Array.from(new Set([...loadable, ...alreadyLoaded]));
+            const selected = selectedByTruck[t.id] ?? alreadyLoaded;
+            const departed = Boolean(t.arrivedAt) && Boolean((t as { departedAt?: string }).departedAt);
+            return (
+              <Stack
+                key={t.id}
+                gap={8}
+                style={{ border: '1px solid #EEF2F6', borderRadius: 12, padding: 14 }}
+              >
+                <Group justify="space-between">
+                  <Text fw={700}>{t.plateNumber}</Text>
+                  <Group gap={6}>
+                    <Text size="sm" c="dimmed">{t.driverName} · {t.truckType}</Text>
+                    {t.arrivedAt ? <Badge color="green" variant="light">Arrived</Badge> : <Badge color="orange" variant="light">Not arrived</Badge>}
+                  </Group>
+                </Group>
+                <MultiSelect
+                  label="Containers on this truck"
+                  placeholder="Select containers"
+                  data={options}
+                  value={selected}
+                  onChange={(v) => setSelectedByTruck((s) => ({ ...s, [t.id]: v }))}
+                  searchable
+                  disabled={departed || !t.arrivedAt}
+                  nothingFoundMessage="No loadable containers"
+                />
+                <Group justify="flex-end" gap="xs">
+                  <Button
+                    size="xs"
+                    variant="light"
+                    color="orange"
+                    leftSection={<FileText size={14} />}
+                    onClick={() => openTruckExitPaper(t.id, t.plateNumber)}
+                  >
+                    Exit Paper
+                  </Button>
+                  <Button
+                    size="xs"
+                    color="edr-green"
+                    disabled={departed || !t.arrivedAt || (selectedByTruck[t.id] ?? alreadyLoaded).length === 0}
+                    loading={loadMutation.isPending}
+                    onClick={() =>
+                      loadMutation.mutate({
+                        assignmentId: t.id,
+                        containerNumbers: selectedByTruck[t.id] ?? alreadyLoaded,
+                      })
+                    }
+                  >
+                    Load truck
+                  </Button>
+                </Group>
+              </Stack>
+            );
+          })}
+        </Stack>
+      )}
+    </Modal>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/constants/URLS.ts b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/constants/URLS.ts
index fbfd2f998..fce620235 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/constants/URLS.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/constants/URLS.ts
@@ -324,6 +324,14 @@ export const URL_CONSTANTS = {
     PIN_WAGONS: (id: string) => `/train-scheduling/schedules/${id}/pin-wagons`,
     FINALIZE: (id: string) => `/train-scheduling/schedules/${id}/finalize`,
     DISPATCH: (id: string) => `/train-scheduling/schedules/${id}/dispatch`,
+    INTERCITY_CANDIDATES: (id: string) =>
+      `/train-scheduling/schedules/${id}/intercity-candidates`,
+    INTERCITY_ACCEPT: (id: string) =>
+      `/train-scheduling/schedules/${id}/intercity/accept`,
+    INTERCITY_LOAD: (id: string, bookingId: string) =>
+      `/train-scheduling/schedules/${id}/intercity/${bookingId}/load`,
+    INTERCITY_UNLOAD: (id: string, bookingId: string) =>
+      `/train-scheduling/schedules/${id}/intercity/${bookingId}/unload`,
     IMPORT_LOADING_BOOKINGS: (id: string) =>
       `/train-scheduling/schedules/${id}/import-loading-bookings`,
     IMPORT_LOADING_STATUS: (id: string) =>
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/features/bookingWindows/useBookingWindowSocket.ts b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/features/bookingWindows/useBookingWindowSocket.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..375c12f19
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/features/bookingWindows/useBookingWindowSocket.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+import {
+  BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_EVENTS,
+  BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_NAMESPACE,
+  type BookingWindowPhaseEvent,
+} from "@edr/types";
+import { useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
+import { useEffect } from "react";
+import { io } from "socket.io-client";
+
+import { API_BASE_URL } from "@/constants/apiConfig";
+import { AUTH_TOKEN_COOKIE, getCookie } from "@/auth/cookies";
+import { QUERY_KEYS } from "@/constants/QUERY_KEYS";
+
+// The socket namespace lives at the server root, not under the `/api` REST
+// prefix — strip a trailing `/api` if the base URL carries one.
+const SOCKET_ORIGIN = String(API_BASE_URL ?? "").replace(/\/api\/?$/, "");
+
+/**
+ * Subscribes to live booking-window pushes for staff. Every phase transition
+ * the window engine applies invalidates the GL windows carousel and the batch
+ * board, so both flip the moment the backend does — polling stays only as a
+ * fallback.
+ */
+export function useBookingWindowSocket(enabled: boolean = true) {
+  const qc = useQueryClient();
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!enabled) return;
+    const token = getCookie(AUTH_TOKEN_COOKIE);
+    if (!token) return;
+
+    const socket = io(`${SOCKET_ORIGIN}/${BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_NAMESPACE}`, {
+      auth: { token },
+      transports: ["websocket"],
+      withCredentials: true,
+    });
+
+    socket.on(
+      BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_EVENTS.PHASE,
+      (_event: BookingWindowPhaseEvent) => {
+        qc.invalidateQueries({
+          queryKey: ["train-scheduling", "all-booking-windows"],
+        });
+        qc.invalidateQueries({
+          queryKey: QUERY_KEYS.TRAIN_SCHEDULING.batchBoard(),
+        });
+      },
+    );
+
+    return () => {
+      socket.off();
+      socket.disconnect();
+    };
+  }, [enabled, qc]);
+}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/pages/trainScheduling/TrainScheduleV2DetailPage.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/pages/trainScheduling/TrainScheduleV2DetailPage.tsx
index 249130e61..7ee0f7896 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/pages/trainScheduling/TrainScheduleV2DetailPage.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/pages/trainScheduling/TrainScheduleV2DetailPage.tsx
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ import {
 } from "@/components/trainScheduling/containerPlacement.util";
 import { ContainerPlacementGrid } from "@/components/trainScheduling/ContainerPlacementGrid";
 import { FleetAvailabilitySummary } from "@/components/trainScheduling/FleetAvailabilitySummary";
+import { IntercityRideAlongPanel } from "@/components/trainScheduling/IntercityRideAlongPanel";
 // import { ImportLoadingConfirmationPanel } from "@/components/trainScheduling/ImportLoadingConfirmationPanel";
 import { RescheduleTrainDialog } from "@/components/trainScheduling/RescheduleTrainDialog";
 import BookingWindowSettingsModal from "@/components/trainScheduling/BookingWindowSettingsModal";
@@ -1130,6 +1131,12 @@ export default function TrainScheduleV2DetailPage() {
               void detailQuery.refetch();
             }}
           />
+          {scheduleId ? (
+            <IntercityRideAlongPanel
+              scheduleId={scheduleId}
+              direction={schedule.direction}
+            />
+          ) : null}
         </Tabs.Panel>
       </Tabs>
 
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/pages/trainScheduling/TrainScheduleV2ListPage.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/pages/trainScheduling/TrainScheduleV2ListPage.tsx
index bc5b7dcb1..f36ce8394 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/pages/trainScheduling/TrainScheduleV2ListPage.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/pages/trainScheduling/TrainScheduleV2ListPage.tsx
@@ -111,7 +111,12 @@ export default function TrainScheduleV2ListPage() {
   const create = useMutation(api.trainScheduling.createSchedule.mutationOptions());
   const cancel = useMutation(api.trainScheduling.cancelSchedule.mutationOptions());
 
-  const activeRoutes = useMemo(() => routesQuery.data ?? [], [routesQuery.data]);
+  // Intercity (same-country / DOMESTIC) routes cannot be scheduled yet — the
+  // API rejects them, so keep them out of the picker entirely.
+  const activeRoutes = useMemo(
+    () => (routesQuery.data ?? []).filter((r) => r.direction !== "DOMESTIC"),
+    [routesQuery.data],
+  );
 
   const selectedRoute = activeRoutes.find((r) => r.id === routeId);
 
@@ -380,7 +385,11 @@ export default function TrainScheduleV2ListPage() {
     }
     try {
       const created = await create.mutateAsync({
-        payload: { routeId, scheduleDate, locomotiveIds },
+        payload: {
+          routeId,
+          scheduleDate: new Date(scheduleDate).toISOString(),
+          locomotiveIds,
+        },
       });
       toast({ title: "Train schedule created" });
       showScheduleWarnings(created.warnings);
@@ -570,11 +579,8 @@ export default function TrainScheduleV2ListPage() {
           <TextInput
             label="Departure date"
             type="datetime-local"
-            value={scheduleDate ? scheduleDate.slice(0, 16) : ""}
-            onChange={(e) => {
-              const raw = e.currentTarget.value;
-              setScheduleDate(raw ? new Date(raw).toISOString() : "");
-            }}
+            value={scheduleDate}
+            onChange={(e) => setScheduleDate(e.currentTarget.value)}
           />
           <MultiSelect
             label="Locomotives"
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/services/api.ts b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/services/api.ts
index 919c97d63..27648cab2 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/services/api.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/services/api.ts
@@ -593,6 +593,52 @@ export const api = {
       () => TRAIN_SCHEDULING_INVALIDATIONS,
     ),
 
+    intercityCandidates: endpoint<
+      { scheduleId: string },
+      import("@/types/trainScheduling").IntercityCandidatesResult
+    >(
+      "train-scheduling",
+      "intercity-candidates",
+      ({ scheduleId }) => trainSchedulingService.getIntercityCandidates(scheduleId),
+      ({ scheduleId }) => ["train-scheduling", "intercity-candidates", scheduleId],
+    ),
+
+    acceptIntercityBookings: endpoint<
+      { scheduleId: string; bookingIds: string[] },
+      import("@/types/trainScheduling").IntercityAcceptResult
+    >(
+      "train-scheduling",
+      "intercity-accept",
+      ({ scheduleId, bookingIds }) =>
+        trainSchedulingService.acceptIntercityBookings(scheduleId, bookingIds),
+      undefined,
+      () => TRAIN_SCHEDULING_INVALIDATIONS,
+    ),
+
+    loadIntercityBooking: endpoint<
+      { scheduleId: string; bookingId: string },
+      void
+    >(
+      "train-scheduling",
+      "intercity-load",
+      ({ scheduleId, bookingId }) =>
+        trainSchedulingService.loadIntercityBooking(scheduleId, bookingId),
+      undefined,
+      () => TRAIN_SCHEDULING_INVALIDATIONS,
+    ),
+
+    unloadIntercityBooking: endpoint<
+      { scheduleId: string; bookingId: string },
+      void
+    >(
+      "train-scheduling",
+      "intercity-unload",
+      ({ scheduleId, bookingId }) =>
+        trainSchedulingService.unloadIntercityBooking(scheduleId, bookingId),
+      undefined,
+      () => TRAIN_SCHEDULING_INVALIDATIONS,
+    ),
+
     cancelSchedule: endpoint<
       { id: string; freightType?: FreightType },
       TrainScheduleDetail
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/services/routes.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/services/routes.service.ts
index 26c340e83..65de13760 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/services/routes.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/services/routes.service.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ import { URL_CONSTANTS } from '@/constants/URLS';
 
 export type RouteStatus = 'AVAILABLE' | 'MAINTENANCE' | 'DAMAGED' | 'STOP_WORKING';
 
+/** Frozen from yard countries: ET→DJ EXPORT, DJ→ET IMPORT, same country DOMESTIC (intercity, disabled). */
+export type RouteDirection = 'IMPORT' | 'EXPORT' | 'DOMESTIC';
+
 export interface YardRef {
   id: string;
   code: string;
@@ -23,6 +26,7 @@ export interface RouteMilestone {
 export interface RouteRecord {
   id: string;
   status: RouteStatus;
+  direction?: RouteDirection;
   originYardId: string;
   destinationYardId: string;
   originYard?: YardRef | null;
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/services/trainScheduling.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/services/trainScheduling.service.ts
index 8c969b06d..3f4c6822f 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/services/trainScheduling.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/services/trainScheduling.service.ts
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ import type {
   ImportDjiboutiLoadList,
   ImportDjiboutiOperation,
   ImportLoadingBookingsResponse,
+  IntercityAcceptResult,
+  IntercityCandidatesResult,
   LoadingStatus,
   LocomotiveRecord,
   PinWagonsPayload,
@@ -328,6 +330,46 @@ export const trainSchedulingService = {
     return unwrap(response.data);
   },
 
+  getIntercityCandidates: async (
+    scheduleId: string,
+  ): Promise<IntercityCandidatesResult> => {
+    const response = await client.get<IntercityCandidatesResult>(
+      URL_CONSTANTS.TRAIN_SCHEDULING.INTERCITY_CANDIDATES(scheduleId),
+    );
+    return unwrap(response.data);
+  },
+
+  acceptIntercityBookings: async (
+    scheduleId: string,
+    bookingIds: string[],
+  ): Promise<IntercityAcceptResult> => {
+    const response = await client.post<IntercityAcceptResult>(
+      URL_CONSTANTS.TRAIN_SCHEDULING.INTERCITY_ACCEPT(scheduleId),
+      { bookingIds },
+    );
+    return unwrap(response.data);
+  },
+
+  loadIntercityBooking: async (
+    scheduleId: string,
+    bookingId: string,
+  ): Promise<void> => {
+    await client.post(
+      URL_CONSTANTS.TRAIN_SCHEDULING.INTERCITY_LOAD(scheduleId, bookingId),
+      {},
+    );
+  },
+
+  unloadIntercityBooking: async (
+    scheduleId: string,
+    bookingId: string,
+  ): Promise<void> => {
+    await client.post(
+      URL_CONSTANTS.TRAIN_SCHEDULING.INTERCITY_UNLOAD(scheduleId, bookingId),
+      {},
+    );
+  },
+
   dispatchSchedule: async (
     scheduleId: string,
   ): Promise<TrainScheduleDetail> => {
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/services/warehouse.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/services/warehouse.service.ts
index e8e2fac88..4d7a834ba 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/services/warehouse.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/services/warehouse.service.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import type { Freight } from '@edr/types';
+
 import { api as apiClient } from '../auth/http';
 
 import { URL_CONSTANTS } from '@/constants/URLS';
@@ -67,6 +69,33 @@ const cleanParams = (params: object) =>
   );
 
 export const warehouseService = {
+  /** Customer self-haul trucks assigned to a booking (portal multi-truck). */
+  getCustomerTrucks: async (bookingId: string): Promise<Freight.ICustomerTruck[]> => {
+    const { data } = await apiClient.get(`/bookings/${bookingId}/customer-trucks`);
+    return data?.data ?? data ?? [];
+  },
+
+  /** Booking container numbers not yet loaded onto any truck. */
+  getLoadableContainers: async (bookingId: string): Promise<string[]> => {
+    const { data } = await apiClient.get(
+      `/bookings/${bookingId}/customer-trucks/loadable-containers`,
+    );
+    return data?.data ?? data ?? [];
+  },
+
+  /** Truck_dispatch: load selected containers onto a truck (after arrival). */
+  loadTruck: async (
+    bookingId: string,
+    assignmentId: string,
+    containerNumbers: string[],
+  ): Promise<Freight.ICustomerTruck[]> => {
+    const { data } = await apiClient.post(
+      `/bookings/${bookingId}/customer-trucks/${assignmentId}/load`,
+      { containerNumbers },
+    );
+    return data?.data ?? data ?? [];
+  },
+
   // ── Warehouses ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   list: (filter?: WarehouseFilter) =>
     apiClient.get<Warehouse[]>(URL_CONSTANTS.WAREHOUSES.BASE, {
@@ -147,6 +176,11 @@ export const warehouseService = {
     apiClient.get<Blob>(URL_CONSTANTS.WAREHOUSE_INVENTORY.HANDOVER_DOCUMENT(id), {
       responseType: 'blob',
     }),
+  /** Per-truck exit paper PDF (containers loaded on one customer truck). */
+  downloadTruckExitPaper: (assignmentId: string) =>
+    apiClient.get<Blob>(`/warehouse-inventory/customer-truck-exit-paper/${assignmentId}`, {
+      responseType: 'blob',
+    }),
   deliver: (id: string, payload: DeliverInventoryPayload) =>
     apiClient.post<WarehouseInventoryItem>(URL_CONSTANTS.WAREHOUSE_INVENTORY.DELIVER(id), payload),
 
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/types/trainScheduling.ts b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/types/trainScheduling.ts
index 4807d00fb..68ad375d8 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/types/trainScheduling.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/types/trainScheduling.ts
@@ -407,6 +407,7 @@ export interface ScheduleWindowRule {
   windowDurationHours: number | null;
   reopenDelayMinutes: number | null;
   importWindowLeadDays: number | null;
+  exportBookingLeadHours: number | null;
   /** Live global values (not snapshotted per schedule) — editor prefill baseline. */
   docReviewMinutes: number;
   paymentWindowMinutes: number;
@@ -420,6 +421,7 @@ export interface UpdateScheduleWindowRulePayload {
   docReviewMinutes?: number;
   paymentWindowMinutes?: number;
   importWindowLeadDays?: number;
+  exportBookingLeadHours?: number;
 }
 
 export interface TrainScheduleDetail {
@@ -746,3 +748,49 @@ export interface CompositionRemovalEntry {
   removedAt: string;
   notes: string | null;
 }
+
+// ── Intercity ride-along ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+// Intercity (DOMESTIC) bookings have no train of their own — they ride a
+// passing import/export schedule whose route milestones contain the booking's
+// origin before its destination. Staff accept them at finalize time against
+// the train's remaining wagon/weight/length capacity.
+
+export interface IntercityCapacity {
+  wagons: number;
+  weightTons: number;
+  lengthMeters: number;
+}
+
+export interface IntercityBookingRow {
+  id: string;
+  reference: string | null;
+  status: string;
+  freightType: FreightType | null;
+  isGovernment: boolean;
+  customer: string;
+  originYardId: string;
+  destinationYardId: string;
+  origin: string;
+  destination: string;
+  weightTons: number;
+  paymentDeadline: string | null;
+  need: IntercityCapacity | null;
+}
+
+export interface IntercityCandidateRow extends IntercityBookingRow {
+  fits: boolean;
+}
+
+export interface IntercityCandidatesResult {
+  scheduleId: string;
+  routeId: string | null;
+  remaining: IntercityCapacity | null;
+  candidates: IntercityCandidateRow[];
+  accepted: IntercityBookingRow[];
+}
+
+export interface IntercityAcceptResult {
+  accepted: string[];
+  rejected: Array<{ bookingId: string; reason: string }>;
+  remaining: IntercityCapacity;
+}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/features/bookingWindows/useBookingWindowSocket.ts b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/features/bookingWindows/useBookingWindowSocket.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..17f6174b3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/features/bookingWindows/useBookingWindowSocket.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+import {
+  BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_EVENTS,
+  BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_NAMESPACE,
+  type BookingWindowPhaseEvent,
+} from "@edr/types";
+import { useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
+import { useEffect } from "react";
+import { io } from "socket.io-client";
+
+import { API_BASE_URL } from "@/constants/apiConfig";
+
+function getAuthToken(): string | undefined {
+  return document.cookie
+    .split("; ")
+    .find((row) => row.startsWith("auth-token="))
+    ?.split("=")[1];
+}
+
+// The socket namespace lives at the server root, not under the `/api` REST
+// prefix — strip a trailing `/api` if the base URL carries one.
+const SOCKET_ORIGIN = String(API_BASE_URL ?? "").replace(/\/api\/?$/, "");
+
+/**
+ * Subscribes to live booking-window pushes. Every phase transition the window
+ * engine applies (open, doc review, payment, reopen, done) invalidates the
+ * cached window lists, so the home-page "Booking Windows" card flips the
+ * moment the backend does — the 60s poll remains only as a fallback.
+ */
+export function useBookingWindowSocket(enabled: boolean) {
+  const qc = useQueryClient();
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!enabled) return;
+    const token = getAuthToken();
+    if (!token) return;
+
+    const socket = io(`${SOCKET_ORIGIN}/${BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_NAMESPACE}`, {
+      auth: { token },
+      transports: ["websocket"],
+      withCredentials: true,
+    });
+
+    socket.on(
+      BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_EVENTS.PHASE,
+      (_event: BookingWindowPhaseEvent) => {
+        qc.invalidateQueries({
+          queryKey: ["train-scheduling", "myBookingWindows"],
+        });
+        qc.invalidateQueries({
+          queryKey: ["train-scheduling", "contractBookingWindows"],
+        });
+      },
+    );
+
+    return () => {
+      socket.off();
+      socket.disconnect();
+    };
+  }, [enabled, qc]);
+}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/MyPortalPage/hooks.ts b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/MyPortalPage/hooks.ts
index dc3f6f7be..5e051cce9 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/MyPortalPage/hooks.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/MyPortalPage/hooks.ts
@@ -1,12 +1,17 @@
 import { useQuery } from "@tanstack/react-query";
 import { Freight } from "@edr/types";
 import useAuth from "@/hooks/useAuth";
+import { useBookingWindowSocket } from "@/features/bookingWindows/useBookingWindowSocket";
 import { api } from "@/services/api";
 import { ACTIVE_STATUSES } from "./constants";
 
 export function useMyPortalData(selectedProfileId?: string) {
   const { user, customer, company } = useAuth();
 
+  // Live booking-window pushes: a phase transition on any lane invalidates the
+  // windows queries below the moment it happens (poll below is only a fallback).
+  useBookingWindowSocket(Boolean(user));
+
   const invoicesQuery = useQuery(api.invoices.listMy.queryOptions());
   const myInvoices = invoicesQuery.data ?? [];
 
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/ContractDetailPage.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/ContractDetailPage.tsx
index 268e8627a..16225cd02 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/ContractDetailPage.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/ContractDetailPage.tsx
@@ -211,7 +211,10 @@ export default function ContractDetailPage() {
     }),
     enabled: !!id,
   });
-  const bookingWindowOpen = hasOpenWindow(bookingWindows);
+  // Intercity contracts are never window-gated: the shipment rides a passing
+  // import/export train that staff assign later, so booking is always open.
+  const bookingWindowOpen =
+    contract?.tradeDirection === "DOMESTIC" || hasOpenWindow(bookingWindows);
 
   // Draw-down capacity per cargo line (GENERAL contracts only). The backend
   // excludes CANCELLED/REJECTED/EXPIRED bookings, so a shipment that never ships
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/NewShipmentPage.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/NewShipmentPage.tsx
index a2bc985c0..d064197d5 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/NewShipmentPage.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/NewShipmentPage.tsx
@@ -128,8 +128,10 @@ export default function NewShipmentPage() {
 
   // Coarse gate: if the customer deep-links here while no booking window is
   // open, show the same closed-state notice as the contract page instead of the
-  // form. Still allowed the moment any window isOpenNow.
-  if (!hasOpenWindow(bookingWindows)) {
+  // form. Still allowed the moment any window isOpenNow. Intercity contracts
+  // are never window-gated — the shipment rides a passing train that staff
+  // pick at finalize time, so booking is always open.
+  if (contract.tradeDirection !== "DOMESTIC" && !hasOpenWindow(bookingWindows)) {
     return (
       <Box style={{ padding: "28px 0 0" }}>
         <Group
@@ -213,6 +215,8 @@ function NewShipmentBookingForm({
         isHazardous: contract.isHazardous ?? false,
         isReefer: contract.isReefer ?? false,
         unitOfMeasure: bulkUnitOfMeasure(contract),
+        // Intercity rides a passing train staff pick later — no date to choose.
+        requiresDate: contract.tradeDirection !== "DOMESTIC",
       }),
     ),
     mode: "onChange",
@@ -246,7 +250,10 @@ function NewShipmentBookingForm({
       ...(values.contractRouteId
         ? { contractRouteId: values.contractRouteId }
         : {}),
-      scheduledDate: new Date(values.scheduledDate).toISOString(),
+      // Intercity bookings carry no date — staff assign a passing train later.
+      ...(values.scheduledDate
+        ? { scheduledDate: new Date(values.scheduledDate).toISOString() }
+        : {}),
       ...(isContainer
         ? {
             containers: values.containers
@@ -793,13 +800,31 @@ function ScheduleStep({
     contract.pricingBreakdown,
   ]);
 
+  const isIntercity = contract.tradeDirection === "DOMESTIC";
   const { data: availableDays, isLoading } = useQuery({
     ...api.bookings.getAvailableDaysForCargo.queryOptions({
       input: cargoQuery ?? ({ freightType: "BULK" } as Freight.AvailableDaysForCargoQuery),
     }),
-    enabled: cargoQuery !== null,
+    enabled: cargoQuery !== null && !isIntercity,
   });
 
+  if (isIntercity) {
+    return (
+      <StepCard>
+        <StepHeader
+          icon={<CalendarDays size={22} />}
+          title="Schedule"
+          description="Intercity shipments have no fixed day."
+        />
+        <Alert color="blue" variant="light" radius="md" icon={<AlertCircle size={16} />}>
+          Your shipment rides the next import/export train passing through your
+          corridor. Operations assign it to a train with free capacity — you
+          will be notified when it is accepted and payment is due.
+        </Alert>
+      </StepCard>
+    );
+  }
+
   return (
     <StepCard>
       <StepHeader
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/new-contract-form/schema.ts b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/new-contract-form/schema.ts
index 3cf78fd34..eac2d36a8 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/new-contract-form/schema.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/new-contract-form/schema.ts
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ export const OPERATION_TYPE_OPTIONS: Array<{
   value: OperationType;
   label: string;
   description: string;
+  /** Shown but not selectable (service not offered yet). */
+  disabled?: boolean;
 }> = [
   {
     value: "import",
@@ -46,7 +48,8 @@ export const OPERATION_TYPE_OPTIONS: Array<{
   {
     value: "intercity",
     label: "Intercity",
-    description: "Domestic movement between Ethiopian yards.",
+    description:
+      "Domestic movement between Ethiopian yards — rides on passing import/export trains, no customs.",
   },
   {
     value: "import_ff",
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/new-contract-form/step0-operation-type.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/new-contract-form/step0-operation-type.tsx
index 49d04533a..6ce2aed5f 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/new-contract-form/step0-operation-type.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/new-contract-form/step0-operation-type.tsx
@@ -30,7 +30,11 @@ export function Step0OperationType({
 }) {
   const data = OPERATION_TYPE_OPTIONS.filter((opt) =>
     allowedOperations.includes(opt.value),
-  ).map((opt) => ({ value: opt.value, label: opt.label }));
+  ).map((opt) => ({
+    value: opt.value,
+    label: opt.label,
+    disabled: opt.disabled ?? false,
+  }));
 
   return (
     <div className="space-y-3">
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/new-contract-form/step1-contract-type.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/new-contract-form/step1-contract-type.tsx
index a4ec5aeb8..e37daea6c 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/new-contract-form/step1-contract-type.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/new-contract-form/step1-contract-type.tsx
@@ -49,7 +49,11 @@ export function Step1ContractType({
 
   const operationData = OPERATION_TYPE_OPTIONS.filter((opt) =>
     allowedOperations.includes(opt.value),
-  ).map((opt) => ({ value: opt.value, label: opt.label }));
+  ).map((opt) => ({
+    value: opt.value,
+    label: opt.label,
+    disabled: opt.disabled ?? false,
+  }));
   const previousContractRef = form.watch("previousContractRef");
   const [searchQuery, setSearchQuery] = useState("");
 
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/new-shipment-form/schema.ts b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/new-shipment-form/schema.ts
index ac182113f..1403cf1b5 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/new-shipment-form/schema.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/new-shipment-form/schema.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,11 @@ export interface ShipmentValidationContext {
   isHazardous: boolean;
   isReefer: boolean;
   unitOfMeasure?: "PER_TON" | "PER_ITEM";
+  /**
+   * Intercity (DOMESTIC) shipments ride a passing import/export train that
+   * staff pick later, so no shipment day is chosen. Defaults to true.
+   */
+  requiresDate?: boolean;
 }
 
 const containerUnitSchema = z.object({
@@ -54,7 +59,7 @@ const shipmentFormBase = z.object({
 
 export function createShipmentFormSchema(ctx: ShipmentValidationContext) {
   return shipmentFormBase.superRefine((data, refineCtx) => {
-    if (!data.scheduledDate.trim()) {
+    if ((ctx.requiresDate ?? true) && !data.scheduledDate.trim()) {
       refineCtx.addIssue({
         code: "custom",
         path: ["scheduledDate"],
diff --git a/apps/edr-passenger-api/package.json b/apps/edr-passenger-api/package.json
index b3d77d220..1501282fe 100644
--- a/apps/edr-passenger-api/package.json
+++ b/apps/edr-passenger-api/package.json
@@ -66,8 +66,8 @@
     "@nestjs/schematics": "^11.1.0",
     "@nestjs/testing": "^11.1.19",
     "@types/express": "^4.17.21",
-    "@types/luxon": "^3.7.1",
     "@types/jest": "^29.5.11",
+    "@types/luxon": "^3.7.1",
     "@types/node": "^20.10.6",
     "@types/qrcode": "^1.5.5",
     "@types/supertest": "^6.0.2",
diff --git a/packages/types/src/freight/booking-window-ws.ts b/packages/types/src/freight/booking-window-ws.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6c48f2c4c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/types/src/freight/booking-window-ws.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+/**
+ * Shared contracts for live booking-window pushes.
+ *
+ * The freight API emits one event whenever a schedule's booking-window state
+ * changes (phase transition, open/close, cycle reopen). Portal home and the
+ * backoffice GL windows section subscribe and refresh instantly instead of
+ * waiting for their poll interval.
+ */
+
+/** Booking-window lifecycle phase persisted on a train schedule. */
+export type BookingWindowPhase =
+  | "PRE_WINDOW"
+  | "OPEN"
+  | "DOC_REVIEW"
+  | "PAYMENT"
+  | "CLOSED_FOR_DAY"
+  | "DONE";
+
+/** Payload pushed on every booking-window state change. */
+export interface BookingWindowPhaseEvent {
+  scheduleId: string;
+  originYardId: string;
+  destinationYardId: string;
+  direction: string | null;
+  phase: BookingWindowPhase;
+  bookingWindowStatus: string | null;
+  bookingCycleNo: number;
+  windowOpensAt: string | null;
+  windowClosesAt: string | null;
+  docReviewEndsAt: string | null;
+  paymentPhaseEndsAt: string | null;
+  scheduledDepartureDate: string | null;
+}
+
+/** Socket.io event names pushed server → client on the booking-windows namespace. */
+export const BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_EVENTS = {
+  PHASE: "booking-window:phase",
+} as const;
+
+/** Socket.io namespace the booking-window gateway listens on. */
+export const BOOKING_WINDOW_WS_NAMESPACE = "booking-windows";
diff --git a/packages/types/src/freight/contracts.ts b/packages/types/src/freight/contracts.ts
index 829ae3217..bf2778575 100644
--- a/packages/types/src/freight/contracts.ts
+++ b/packages/types/src/freight/contracts.ts
@@ -695,8 +695,8 @@ export interface CreateBulkLineDto {
 export interface CreateBookingUnderContractDto {
   /** Required for GENERAL multi-route contracts; ONE_TIME auto-selected. */
   contractRouteId?: string;
-  /** Binding shipment day. */
-  scheduledDate: string;
+  /** Binding shipment day. Omitted for intercity (DOMESTIC) bookings — staff assign a passing train later. */
+  scheduledDate?: string;
   containers?: CreateBookingContainerLineDto[];
   bulkLines?: CreateBulkLineDto[];
   notes?: string;
diff --git a/packages/types/src/freight/index.ts b/packages/types/src/freight/index.ts
index 7c8a3c4cd..0b5752265 100644
--- a/packages/types/src/freight/index.ts
+++ b/packages/types/src/freight/index.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ export * from "./etrade";
 export * from "./contracts";
 export * from "./clearance-files.catalog";
 export * from "./notifications";
+export * from "./booking-window-ws";
 
 export enum TradeDirection {
   IMPORT = "IMPORT",
@@ -220,6 +221,24 @@ export enum WagonReadiness {
 
 export type ScheduleTradeDirection = "IMPORT" | "EXPORT" | "DOMESTIC";
 
+/**
+ * The only two countries on the EDR line. Yard `country` is constrained to
+ * these values; route trade direction is derived from the origin/destination
+ * yard countries (ET→DJ = EXPORT, DJ→ET = IMPORT, same-country = DOMESTIC,
+ * shown as "Intercity" in UIs and currently disabled for scheduling/contracts).
+ */
+export enum YardCountry {
+  ETHIOPIA = "Ethiopia",
+  DJIBOUTI = "Djibouti",
+}
+
+/** UI label for a schedule/route trade direction (DOMESTIC displays as Intercity). */
+export const TRADE_DIRECTION_LABELS: Record<ScheduleTradeDirection, string> = {
+  IMPORT: "Import",
+  EXPORT: "Export",
+  DOMESTIC: "Intercity",
+};
+
 export enum TrainCheckpointKind {
   Departed = "DEPARTED",
   Passed = "PASSED",
diff --git a/pnpm-lock.yaml b/pnpm-lock.yaml
index 0e278995a..fadeaca56 100644
--- a/pnpm-lock.yaml
+++ b/pnpm-lock.yaml
@@ -15461,9 +15461,9 @@ snapshots:
     dependencies:
       '@nestjs/axios': 4.0.1(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))(axios@1.17.0)(rxjs@7.8.2)
       '@nestjs/common': 11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2)
-      '@nestjs/core': 11.1.24(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))(@nestjs/microservices@11.1.24)(@nestjs/platform-express@11.1.24)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2)
+      '@nestjs/core': 11.1.24(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))(@nestjs/microservices@11.1.24)(@nestjs/platform-express@11.1.24)(@nestjs/websockets@11.1.27)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2)
       '@nestjs/jwt': 10.2.0(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))
-      '@nestjs/microservices': 11.1.24(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))(@nestjs/core@11.1.24)(amqp-connection-manager@5.0.0(amqplib@2.0.1))(amqplib@2.0.1)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2)
+      '@nestjs/microservices': 11.1.24(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))(@nestjs/core@11.1.24)(@nestjs/websockets@11.1.27)(amqp-connection-manager@5.0.0(amqplib@2.0.1))(amqplib@2.0.1)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2)
       '@nestjs/passport': 10.0.3(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))(passport@0.7.0)
       '@nestjs/swagger': 7.4.2(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))(@nestjs/core@11.1.24)(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)
       '@nestjs/throttler': 6.5.0(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))(@nestjs/core@11.1.24)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)
@@ -15584,9 +15584,9 @@ snapshots:
     dependencies:
       '@nestjs/axios': 4.0.1(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))(axios@1.17.0)(rxjs@7.8.2)
       '@nestjs/common': 11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2)
-      '@nestjs/core': 11.1.24(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))(@nestjs/microservices@11.1.24)(@nestjs/platform-express@11.1.24)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2)
+      '@nestjs/core': 11.1.24(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))(@nestjs/microservices@11.1.24)(@nestjs/platform-express@11.1.24)(@nestjs/websockets@11.1.27)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2)
       '@nestjs/jwt': 10.2.0(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))
-      '@nestjs/microservices': 11.1.24(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))(@nestjs/core@11.1.24)(amqp-connection-manager@5.0.0(amqplib@2.0.1))(amqplib@2.0.1)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2)
+      '@nestjs/microservices': 11.1.24(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))(@nestjs/core@11.1.24)(@nestjs/websockets@11.1.27)(amqp-connection-manager@5.0.0(amqplib@2.0.1))(amqplib@2.0.1)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2)
       '@nestjs/passport': 10.0.3(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))(passport@0.7.0)
       '@nestjs/swagger': 7.4.2(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))(@nestjs/core@11.1.24)(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)
       '@nestjs/throttler': 6.5.0(@nestjs/common@11.1.24(class-transformer@0.5.1)(class-validator@0.14.4)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)(rxjs@7.8.2))(@nestjs/core@11.1.24)(reflect-metadata@0.2.2)