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 3ad71b6fc..19b1c0159 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
@@ -1616,7 +1616,12 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryService {
               ct.container_number       AS "containerNumber",
               COALESCE(cgt.cargo_type_name, b.cargo_free_text) AS "cargoType",
               inv.weight                AS "weight",
-              substring(inv.notes FROM 'GRN Number: ([^\\n\\r]+)') AS "grnNumber",
+              -- receive() stamps the GRN onto the row and mirrors it into the
+              -- note; prefer the column and fall back for legacy/seeded rows.
+              COALESCE(
+                inv.grn_number,
+                substring(inv.notes FROM 'GRN Number: ([^\\n\\r]+)')
+              )                         AS "grnNumber",
               inv.inspection_status     AS "inspectionStatus",
               inv.status                AS "status",
               wl.wagon_id               AS "wagonId",
@@ -1649,7 +1654,11 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryService {
 
     return rows.map((r) => ({
       ...r,
-      loadable: r.status === 'READY_FOR_LOADING' && Boolean(r.wagonId),
+      // Export flow: received at the warehouse -> GRN -> loaded onto its wagon.
+      // The row only exists once the goods were received, so requiring a GRN and
+      // an allocated wagon completes the chain.
+      loadable:
+        r.status === 'READY_FOR_LOADING' && Boolean(r.wagonId) && Boolean(r.grnNumber),
     }));
   }
 
@@ -1702,6 +1711,9 @@ export class WarehouseInventoryService {
       if (!item) { skip('Not assigned to this train'); continue; }
       if (item.status === 'LOADED') { skip('Already loaded'); continue; }
       if (item.status !== 'READY_FOR_LOADING') { skip(`Not ready for loading (status ${item.status})`); continue; }
+      // Export: the GRN is raised when the goods arrive at the warehouse, and
+      // nothing rides a train without one.
+      if (!item.grnNumber) { skip('No GRN — receive the goods and generate the GRN first'); continue; }
       if (!item.wagonId) { skip('No wagon allocated — allocate a wagon first'); continue; }
 
       try {