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 97984be5f..bb85b4422 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
@@ -2031,16 +2031,37 @@ export class TrainSchedulingService {
   }
 
   /**
-   * A train must not leave carrying nothing while its cargo sits in the shed.
-   * Blocks dispatch when a booking allocated to this train has warehouse
-   * inventory that never made it onto a wagon (received / stored / ready but not
-   * LOADED). Either load it from the warehouse Load-to-Train queue, or drop the
-   * booking's wagon allocation so it travels on a later train.
+   * EXPORT ONLY. An export train must not leave carrying nothing while its cargo
+   * sits in the shed: the goods are received into the origin warehouse, GRN'd and
+   * loaded onto the wagons allocated to the booking, so anything still in the
+   * warehouse at dispatch is being left behind. Blocks dispatch when an allocated
+   * booking has warehouse inventory that never made it onto a wagon (received /
+   * stored / ready but not LOADED) — either load it from the Load-to-Train queue,
+   * or drop the booking's wagon allocation so it rides a later train.
+   *
+   * Import/domestic are untouched: their cargo isn't loaded out of an origin
+   * warehouse, so warehouse inventory says nothing about what's aboard.
    *
    * Bookings with no warehouse inventory at all are NOT blocked — allocating a
    * wagon before the goods arrive is normal planning; they simply aren't aboard.
    */
   private async assertAllocatedCargoLoaded(scheduleId: string): Promise<void> {
+    const [route]: Array<{ originCountry: string | null; destinationCountry: string | null }> =
+      await this.dataSource.query(
+        `SELECT oy.country AS "originCountry", dy.country AS "destinationCountry"
+           FROM freight.train_schedules ts
+           LEFT JOIN freight.yards oy ON oy.id = ts.origin_station_id
+           LEFT JOIN freight.yards dy ON dy.id = ts.destination_station_id
+          WHERE ts.id = $1 AND ts.deleted_at IS NULL`,
+        [scheduleId],
+      );
+    if (!route) return;
+    const direction = deriveTradeDirection(
+      { country: route.originCountry },
+      { country: route.destinationCountry },
+    );
+    if (direction !== 'EXPORT') return;
+
     const rows: Array<{ reference: string | null; status: string }> = await this.dataSource.query(
       `WITH ${SCHEDULE_BOOKINGS_CTE}
        SELECT DISTINCT b.reference AS "reference", inv.status AS "status"
@@ -2070,7 +2091,7 @@ export class TrainSchedulingService {
       throw new BadRequestException('Only SCHEDULED trains can be dispatched');
     }
     await this.assertImportDjiboutiMayDepart(schedule);
-    // Don't leave received cargo behind on the platform.
+    // Export only: don't leave received cargo behind in the warehouse.
     await this.assertAllocatedCargoLoaded(scheduleId);
     // A locomotive may sit on many future schedules, but it can only pull one train
     // at a time — block dispatch while any set locomotive is out on a dispatched train.