diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/contracts/ContractActionsToolbar.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/contracts/ContractActionsToolbar.tsx
index 8c4833550..d2a245f24 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/contracts/ContractActionsToolbar.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/contracts/ContractActionsToolbar.tsx
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import { Button, Group, Modal, Stack, Text, Textarea } from "@mantine/core";
 import {
   Check,
   Eye,
-  FilePen,
+  // FilePen, // ponytail: back with the "Edit contract articles" button
   FileSignature,
   MessageSquareWarning,
   PauseCircle,
@@ -286,9 +286,9 @@ export function ContractActionsToolbar({
           <>
             <Text size="xs" c="dimmed">
               {canEditDocument
-                ? "It is your turn to approve. You can edit the articles before approving — the PDF is generated automatically once the last approver approves."
+                ? "It is your turn to approve — the PDF is generated automatically once the last approver approves."
                 : draft?.nextApproverRole
-                  ? `Awaiting ${draft.nextApproverRole}. Only the current approver can edit the document.`
+                  ? `Awaiting ${draft.nextApproverRole}.`
                   : "Awaiting approval."}
             </Text>
             <Button
@@ -300,6 +300,9 @@ export function ContractActionsToolbar({
             >
               Preview document
             </Button>
+            {/* Article editing is hidden for now (frontend only) — the approval
+                chain approves the document as accepted. Uncomment to restore.
+
             {canEditDocument && (
               <Button
                 fullWidth
@@ -314,6 +317,8 @@ export function ContractActionsToolbar({
                 Edit contract articles
               </Button>
             )}
+
+            */}
           </>
         )}
 
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/contracts/ContractDocumentEditorModal.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/contracts/ContractDocumentEditorModal.tsx
index a53ed85ba..b944b5d12 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/contracts/ContractDocumentEditorModal.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/contracts/ContractDocumentEditorModal.tsx
@@ -14,18 +14,18 @@ import {
   Text,
   Textarea,
   TextInput,
-  Tooltip,
+  // Tooltip, // ponytail: back with the article editor block
 } from "@mantine/core";
 import {
-  ArrowDown,
-  ArrowUp,
+  // ArrowDown, // ponytail: back with the article editor block
+  // ArrowUp,
   FileText,
   Info,
   Lock,
   Plus,
   Trash2,
 } from "lucide-react";
-import { DateInput } from "@mantine/dates";
+import { DateTimePicker } from "@mantine/dates";
 import type { Freight } from "@edr/types";
 
 import { contractsService } from "@/services/contracts.service";
@@ -44,6 +44,23 @@ function startOfToday(): Date {
   return d;
 }
 
+/** Local `YYYY-MM-DD` — the shape Mantine hands day cells. */
+function localDay(date: Date): string {
+  const pad = (n: number) => String(n).padStart(2, "0");
+  return `${date.getFullYear()}-${pad(date.getMonth() + 1)}-${pad(date.getDate())}`;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Print today in bold inside the calendar. `highlightToday` only rings the cell,
+ * which staff read as "disabled" on a picker whose minimum IS today — the weight
+ * makes it obvious the day is pickable.
+ */
+function boldToday(date: string) {
+  return date === localDay(new Date())
+    ? { style: { fontWeight: 800 } }
+    : {};
+}
+
 interface EditableArticle {
   id: string;
   title: string;
@@ -125,11 +142,14 @@ export function ContractDocumentEditorModal({
     );
   }, [opened, draft]);
 
-  // Accept mode opens on today — a contract never starts in the past, and the
-  // pickers below refuse earlier days.
+  // Accept mode opens on NOW — a contract never starts in the past, and the
+  // pickers below refuse earlier days. Seconds are dropped so the value matches
+  // what the HH:mm picker shows.
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!opened || mode !== "accept") return;
-    setValidityStart(startOfToday());
+    const now = new Date();
+    now.setSeconds(0, 0);
+    setValidityStart(now);
     setValidityEnd(null);
   }, [opened, mode]);
 
@@ -144,29 +164,30 @@ export function ContractDocumentEditorModal({
   // decides per-caller — the client cannot derive this from the contract alone.
   const locked = mode === "edit" && !draft?.editableByMe;
 
-  const moveArticle = (index: number, delta: number) => {
-    setArticles((prev) => {
-      const next = [...prev];
-      const target = index + delta;
-      if (target < 0 || target >= next.length) return prev;
-      [next[index], next[target]] = [next[target], next[index]];
-      return next;
-    });
-  };
+  // Article edit handlers — parked with the editor block below.
+  // const moveArticle = (index: number, delta: number) => {
+  //   setArticles((prev) => {
+  //     const next = [...prev];
+  //     const target = index + delta;
+  //     if (target < 0 || target >= next.length) return prev;
+  //     [next[index], next[target]] = [next[target], next[index]];
+  //     return next;
+  //   });
+  // };
 
-  const updateArticle = (id: string, patch: Partial<EditableArticle>) =>
-    setArticles((prev) =>
-      prev.map((a) => (a.id === id ? { ...a, ...patch } : a)),
-    );
+  // const updateArticle = (id: string, patch: Partial<EditableArticle>) =>
+  //   setArticles((prev) =>
+  //     prev.map((a) => (a.id === id ? { ...a, ...patch } : a)),
+  //   );
 
-  const removeArticle = (id: string) =>
-    setArticles((prev) => prev.filter((a) => a.id !== id));
+  // const removeArticle = (id: string) =>
+  //   setArticles((prev) => prev.filter((a) => a.id !== id));
 
-  const addArticle = () =>
-    setArticles((prev) => [
-      ...prev,
-      { id: newArticleId(), title: "", body: "" },
-    ]);
+  // const addArticle = () =>
+  //   setArticles((prev) => [
+  //     ...prev,
+  //     { id: newArticleId(), title: "", body: "" },
+  //   ]);
 
   const buildSnapshot = (): Freight.IContractDocumentSnapshot => ({
     code: draft?.code ?? null,
@@ -253,7 +274,7 @@ export function ContractDocumentEditorModal({
               ? draft?.nextApproverRole
                 ? `Only the current approver (${draft.nextApproverRole}) can edit this document right now.`
                 : "This document can no longer be edited — the contract has advanced beyond approval."
-              : "Edits apply to THIS contract only. The six shared templates are never changed."}
+              : "Articles come from this contract's template. Set the validity dates, then accept."}
           </Alert>
 
           <TextInput
@@ -320,6 +341,11 @@ export function ContractDocumentEditorModal({
             )}
           </Box>
 
+          {/* Article editing is hidden for now (frontend only) — staff accept the
+              contract on the template's articles as-is. The articles themselves
+              still ride along in buildSnapshot(), so the generated document is
+              unchanged. Uncomment this block to bring the editor back.
+
           <Divider label="Articles" labelPosition="left" />
 
           <Stack gap="md">
@@ -379,7 +405,7 @@ export function ContractDocumentEditorModal({
                     }
                   />
                   <Textarea
-                    placeholder="Article body — each line becomes a numbered clause. Use '- ' for bullets. Placeholders like {{client.companyName}} are supported."
+                    placeholder="Article body — each line becomes a numbered clause."
                     autosize
                     minRows={3}
                     styles={{ input: { fontFamily: "var(--mantine-font-family-monospace)" } }}
@@ -404,6 +430,8 @@ export function ContractDocumentEditorModal({
             </Button>
           </Stack>
 
+          */}
+
           <Divider />
 
           {mode === "accept" && (
@@ -429,21 +457,29 @@ export function ContractDocumentEditorModal({
                 </Text>
               )} */}
               <Group grow align="flex-start">
-                <DateInput
-                  label="Start date"
+                <DateTimePicker
+                  label="Start date & time"
                   placeholder="Contract validity start"
                   value={validityStart}
                   onChange={(v) => setValidityStart(v ? new Date(v) : null)}
+                  // Today is the earliest start — and it is ringed in the
+                  // calendar so it reads as selectable rather than blocked.
                   minDate={startOfToday()}
                   maxDate={validityEnd ?? undefined}
+                  highlightToday
+                  getDayProps={boldToday}
+                  valueFormat="DD MMM YYYY HH:mm"
                   clearable
                 />
-                <DateInput
-                  label="End date"
+                <DateTimePicker
+                  label="End date & time"
                   placeholder="Contract validity end"
                   value={validityEnd}
                   onChange={(v) => setValidityEnd(v ? new Date(v) : null)}
                   minDate={validityStart ?? startOfToday()}
+                  highlightToday
+                  getDayProps={boldToday}
+                  valueFormat="DD MMM YYYY HH:mm"
                   clearable
                 />
               </Group>
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/contracts/detail/RequestDetailCards.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/contracts/detail/RequestDetailCards.tsx
index 595252cbf..d8c5f819a 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/contracts/detail/RequestDetailCards.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/components/contracts/detail/RequestDetailCards.tsx
@@ -95,12 +95,16 @@ export function RequestCustomerCard({ contract }: { contract?: ReqContract | nul
   );
 }
 
+// Validity is accepted to the minute, so the expiry reads with its time — a
+// contract that lapses at 09:00 looks identical to one lapsing at 23:59 without it.
 const fmtDate = (iso?: string | null) =>
   iso
     ? new Intl.DateTimeFormat("en-GB", {
         day: "2-digit",
         month: "short",
         year: "numeric",
+        hour: "2-digit",
+        minute: "2-digit",
       }).format(new Date(iso))
     : "—";
 
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/pages/contracts/ContractRequestDetailPage.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/pages/contracts/ContractRequestDetailPage.tsx
index 4f1d2cb42..7eedd36be 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/pages/contracts/ContractRequestDetailPage.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/backoffice/src/pages/contracts/ContractRequestDetailPage.tsx
@@ -110,6 +110,21 @@ function formatDate(value: string | null | undefined): string {
       });
 }
 
+/** Same, plus the clock — for values the staff pick to the minute. */
+function formatDateTime(value: string | null | undefined): string {
+  if (!value) return "—";
+  const d = new Date(value);
+  return Number.isNaN(d.getTime())
+    ? "—"
+    : d.toLocaleString(undefined, {
+        year: "numeric",
+        month: "short",
+        day: "numeric",
+        hour: "2-digit",
+        minute: "2-digit",
+      });
+}
+
 export default function ContractRequestDetailPage() {
   const { id } = useParams<{ id: string }>();
   const navigate = useNavigate();
@@ -370,7 +385,8 @@ export default function ContractRequestDetailPage() {
                 {contract.contractValidUntil ? (
                   <MetaItem
                     icon={CalendarClock}
-                    text={`Valid until ${formatDate(contract.contractValidUntil)}`}
+                    // Validity is accepted to the minute — show the time.
+                    text={`Valid until ${formatDateTime(contract.contractValidUntil)}`}
                   />
                 ) : null}
               </Group>
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/components/customer-actions/ContractCustomerAction.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/components/customer-actions/ContractCustomerAction.tsx
index 81119dc35..4555a5db8 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/components/customer-actions/ContractCustomerAction.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/components/customer-actions/ContractCustomerAction.tsx
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import type { Freight } from "@edr/types";
 
 import { PayNowButton } from "@/pages/bookings/payments/PayNowButton";
 import { api } from "@/services/api";
+import { bookingDocNoun } from "@/pages/bookings/clearance/bookingNextAction";
 import { deriveContractCustomerAction } from "./deriveContractCustomerAction";
 
 interface ContractCustomerActionProps {
@@ -131,7 +132,7 @@ export function InitiateBookingButton({
         queryKey: api.contracts.get.queryKey({ id: contract.id }),
       });
       toast.success(
-        "Booking initiated — upload your clearance documents to start the review.",
+        `Booking initiated — upload your ${bookingDocNoun(contract)} to start the review.`,
       );
       setConfirmOpen(false);
       navigate(`/bookings/${booking.id}`);
@@ -167,7 +168,7 @@ export function InitiateBookingButton({
           <Text span fw={700} c="#10202F">
             {contract.reference}
           </Text>
-          . You&apos;ll upload the clearance documents next, and the shipment
+          . You&apos;ll upload the {bookingDocNoun(contract)} next, and the shipment
           quantity is drawn down from your contract&apos;s reserved capacity.
         </Text>
         <Group justify="flex-end" gap="sm" mt="lg">
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/MyPortalPage/constants.ts b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/MyPortalPage/constants.ts
index 5a5a80ed9..7515befb9 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/MyPortalPage/constants.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/MyPortalPage/constants.ts
@@ -170,7 +170,9 @@ export const STATUS_CONFIG: Record<string, StageConfig> = {
     icon: FileUp,
     iconColor: "edr-amber-text",
     tile: "edr-amber-soft",
-    hint: "Clearance documents needed",
+    // Direction-neutral: a self-clearance shipment collects the customer's own
+    // import/export papers, a customs one collects the clearance set.
+    hint: "Documents needed",
     step: "edr-accent",
     badgeLabel: "Upload documents",
     badgeBg: "edr-amber-soft",
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/components/ClearanceCard.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/components/ClearanceCard.tsx
index a8cc43e14..e5ea8d3a9 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/components/ClearanceCard.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/components/ClearanceCard.tsx
@@ -12,7 +12,11 @@ import { useNavigate } from "react-router-dom";
 import type { Freight } from "@edr/types";
 
 import { BookingActionModal } from "@/pages/bookings/clearance/BookingActionModal";
-import { getBookingNextAction } from "@/pages/bookings/clearance/bookingNextAction";
+import {
+  bookingDocNoun,
+  bookingDocNounCapitalized,
+  getBookingNextAction,
+} from "@/pages/bookings/clearance/bookingNextAction";
 
 import { CardTitle, SectionCard } from "./layout";
 
@@ -28,6 +32,9 @@ export function ClearanceCard({ booking }: { booking: Freight.IBooking }) {
   const navigate = useNavigate();
   const status = booking.status as string;
   const action = getBookingNextAction(booking);
+  // Self-clearance services collect the customer's own import/export paperwork,
+  // so the copy is named after the direction rather than "clearance".
+  const docNoun = bookingDocNoun(booking);
   // BOOK: clearance finished on a bare instance — go straight to the booking
   // form (cargo + shipment day + window check) instead of opening the modal.
   const isBookAction = action?.kind === "BOOK" && Boolean(action.to);
@@ -46,9 +53,15 @@ export function ClearanceCard({ booking }: { booking: Freight.IBooking }) {
   const summary =
     status === "CLEARANCE_READY" ? (
       <Alert color="teal" radius="md" icon={<CheckCircle2 size={18} />}>
-        {isBookAction
-          ? "Clearance is complete. Book your shipment — enter the cargo details and pick a shipment day inside an open booking window."
-          : "Clearance is complete. Pick a shipment day and proceed to operation."}
+        {`${
+          booking.customsClearingEnabled
+            ? "Clearance is complete."
+            : "Your documents are approved."
+        } ${
+          isBookAction
+            ? "Book your shipment — enter the cargo details and pick a shipment day inside an open booking window."
+            : "Pick a shipment day and proceed to operation."
+        }`}
       </Alert>
     ) : status === "DOCUMENTS_UNDER_REVIEW" ? (
       <Alert color="blue" radius="md" icon={<Clock size={18} />}>
@@ -57,8 +70,7 @@ export function ClearanceCard({ booking }: { booking: Freight.IBooking }) {
       </Alert>
     ) : (
       <Alert color="yellow" radius="md" icon={<Upload size={18} />}>
-        Upload the required clearance documents so your shipment can be
-        reviewed.
+        Upload the required {docNoun} so your shipment can be reviewed.
       </Alert>
     );
 
@@ -67,7 +79,7 @@ export function ClearanceCard({ booking }: { booking: Freight.IBooking }) {
       {/* The "Clearance progress" stepper moved into the unified journey
           wizard at the top of the page — this card keeps only the actions. */}
       <Group justify="space-between" align="center" mb="md">
-        <CardTitle>Clearance documents</CardTitle>
+        <CardTitle>{bookingDocNounCapitalized(booking)}</CardTitle>
         {action && (
           <Button
             color="edr-green"
@@ -93,7 +105,7 @@ export function ClearanceCard({ booking }: { booking: Freight.IBooking }) {
       <Text fz="12.5px" c="dimmed" mt="sm">
         {isBookAction
           ? "Use “Book” to enter the cargo details and schedule your shipment."
-          : `Use “${action?.label ?? "the action button"}” to manage your clearance documents.`}
+          : `Use “${action?.label ?? "the action button"}” to manage your ${docNoun}.`}
       </Text>
 
       {!isBookAction && (
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/components/DocumentsTab.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/components/DocumentsTab.tsx
index e43bb43b9..fb328f4b7 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/components/DocumentsTab.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/components/DocumentsTab.tsx
@@ -18,7 +18,11 @@ import { fetchViewableFile, downloadStoredFile } from "@/services/files.service"
 import { warehouseService } from "@/services/warehouse.service";
 import { useFileViewer } from "@/hooks/useFileViewer";
 import { BookingActionModal } from "@/pages/bookings/clearance/BookingActionModal";
-import { getBookingNextAction } from "@/pages/bookings/clearance/bookingNextAction";
+import {
+  bookingDocNoun,
+  bookingDocNounCapitalized,
+  getBookingNextAction,
+} from "@/pages/bookings/clearance/bookingNextAction";
 import { ClearanceUploadedDocumentsPanel } from "@/components/contracts/ClearanceUploadedDocumentsPanel";
 
 import toast from "react-hot-toast";
@@ -322,7 +326,7 @@ export function DocumentsTab({ booking }: { booking: Freight.IBooking }) {
       {hasContract && clearance && (
         <SectionCard>
           <Group justify="space-between" align="center" mb={4}>
-            <CardTitle>Clearance documents</CardTitle>
+            <CardTitle>{bookingDocNounCapitalized(booking)}</CardTitle>
             {showManage && (
               <Button
                 color="edr-green"
@@ -366,7 +370,7 @@ export function DocumentsTab({ booking }: { booking: Freight.IBooking }) {
             </Stack>
           ) : (
             <Alert color="gray" radius="md" icon={<Info size={16} />}>
-              No clearance documents are required for this booking.
+              No {bookingDocNoun(booking)} are required for this booking.
             </Alert>
           )}
         </SectionCard>
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/components/StatusHero.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/components/StatusHero.tsx
index c702329d1..de6d2c755 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/components/StatusHero.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/BookingDetailPage/components/StatusHero.tsx
@@ -5,6 +5,10 @@ import { MoveRight } from "lucide-react";
 import type { Freight } from "@edr/types";
 
 import { contractsService } from "@/services/contracts.service";
+import {
+  bookingDocNoun,
+  bookingDocNounCapitalized,
+} from "@/pages/bookings/clearance/bookingNextAction";
 
 import {
   ARRIVAL_STAGE,
@@ -110,12 +114,29 @@ export function StatusHero({
         }
       : isInitiatedInstance
         ? {
-            title: "Upload clearance documents",
-            description:
-              "Upload the required clearance documents to start the review. Once the review is finalized you can book your shipment.",
+            title: `Upload ${bookingDocNoun(booking)}`,
+            description: `Upload the required ${bookingDocNoun(
+              booking,
+            )} to start the review. Once the review is finalized you can book your shipment.`,
             stage,
           }
-        : isContractDrawdown && status === "FULLY_EXECUTED"
+        : status === "AWAITING_DOCUMENTS"
+          ? {
+              title: `Upload ${bookingDocNoun(booking)}`,
+              description: `Upload the required ${bookingDocNoun(
+                booking,
+              )} so your shipment can be reviewed.`,
+              stage,
+            }
+          : status === "DOCUMENTS_UNDER_REVIEW"
+            ? {
+                title: `${bookingDocNounCapitalized(booking)} under review`,
+                description: `Your ${bookingDocNoun(
+                  booking,
+                )} are being reviewed. Re-upload any queried documents to proceed.`,
+                stage,
+              }
+            : isContractDrawdown && status === "FULLY_EXECUTED"
           ? {
               title: "Accepted by operations",
               description:
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/clearance/BookingActionModal.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/clearance/BookingActionModal.tsx
index 8f93e040c..c8b324d47 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/clearance/BookingActionModal.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/clearance/BookingActionModal.tsx
@@ -5,7 +5,10 @@ import { useNavigate } from "react-router-dom";
 import type { Freight } from "@edr/types";
 
 import { ClearanceFlow } from "./ClearanceFlow";
-import { getBookingNextAction } from "./bookingNextAction";
+import {
+  bookingDocNounCapitalized,
+  getBookingNextAction,
+} from "./bookingNextAction";
 import { useClearanceFlow } from "./useClearanceFlow";
 
 interface BookingActionModalProps {
@@ -59,7 +62,7 @@ function BookingActionModalBody({
       title={
         <Box>
           <Text fw={700} fz={16}>
-            {action?.title ?? "Clearance documents"}
+            {action?.title ?? bookingDocNounCapitalized(booking)}
           </Text>
           <Text fz={12} c="dimmed" ff="monospace">
             {reference}
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/clearance/ClearanceFlow.tsx b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/clearance/ClearanceFlow.tsx
index 1997c99d4..196646185 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/clearance/ClearanceFlow.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/clearance/ClearanceFlow.tsx
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import {
 import { ClearanceDocumentUploadCard } from "@/components/contracts/ClearanceDocumentUploadCard";
 import { fetchViewableFile, downloadStoredFile } from "@/services/files.service";
 import { useFileViewer } from "@/hooks/useFileViewer";
+import { bookingDocNoun } from "./bookingNextAction";
 import { OperationDatePicker } from "./OperationDatePicker";
 import { DayAvailabilityHint } from "./DayAvailabilityHint";
 import type { ClearanceFlowController } from "./useClearanceFlow";
@@ -87,7 +88,7 @@ export function ClearanceFlow({ booking, flow, footer }: ClearanceFlowProps) {
               ? "Customs clearance is complete. Global Logistics is completing your booking (cargo details and shipment day) — you will be notified when payment is due."
               : clearance.includesCustoms
                 ? "Customs clearance is complete and your cleared documents are available below. You can now proceed to operation."
-                : "Clearance is ready. You can now proceed to operation."}
+                : "Your documents are approved. You can now proceed to operation."}
         </Alert>
       ) : status === "DOCUMENTS_UNDER_REVIEW" ? (
         <Alert color="blue" radius="md" icon={<Clock size={18} />} mb="md">
@@ -99,7 +100,7 @@ export function ClearanceFlow({ booking, flow, footer }: ClearanceFlowProps) {
         <Alert color="yellow" radius="md" icon={<AlertCircle size={18} />} mb="md">
           {clearance.includesCustoms
             ? "Upload every required document customs needs (marked *) to start the review. Global Logistics will clear your shipment and return the cleared documents here."
-            : "Upload every required clearance document (marked *) below to start the review."}
+            : `Upload every required ${bookingDocNoun(booking, { singular: true })} (marked *) below to start the review.`}
         </Alert>
       )}
 
@@ -115,7 +116,7 @@ export function ClearanceFlow({ booking, flow, footer }: ClearanceFlowProps) {
       <Stack gap="md">
         <Box>
           <Text fz={13} fw={700} c="#10202F">
-            Your clearance documents
+            Your {bookingDocNoun(booking)}
           </Text>
           <Text fz={12} c="dimmed" mt={4}>
             Upload each required document below. Items marked * are mandatory.
diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/clearance/bookingNextAction.ts b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/clearance/bookingNextAction.ts
index 1ebb047a6..d0256510a 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/clearance/bookingNextAction.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/bookings/clearance/bookingNextAction.ts
@@ -22,29 +22,78 @@ export interface BookingNextAction {
   to?: string;
 }
 
-const ACTION_BY_STATUS: Record<string, BookingNextAction> = {
-  AWAITING_DOCUMENTS: {
-    kind: "UPLOAD_DOCUMENTS",
-    label: "Upload documents",
-    title: "Upload clearance documents",
-  },
-  DOCUMENTS_UNDER_REVIEW: {
-    kind: "FIX_DOCUMENTS",
-    label: "Review documents",
-    title: "Clearance documents",
-  },
-  CLEARANCE_READY: {
-    kind: "SCHEDULE_OPERATION",
-    label: "Schedule & proceed",
-    title: "Schedule your shipment",
-  },
-};
-
 type ActionBooking = Pick<
   Freight.IBooking,
-  "id" | "status" | "contractId" | "totalAmount" | "customsClearingEnabled"
+  | "id"
+  | "status"
+  | "contractId"
+  | "totalAmount"
+  | "customsClearingEnabled"
+  | "tradeDirection"
 >;
 
+/** Anything carrying a service + a lane: a booking or the contract behind it. */
+type DocNounSource = {
+  customsClearingEnabled?: boolean | null;
+  tradeDirection?: string | null;
+};
+
+/**
+ * What this booking's document set is CALLED to the customer.
+ *
+ * Only a customs (Path B) service collects EDR's clearance set. On a
+ * self-clearance service the customer clears the cargo himself and simply hands
+ * over his own import or export paperwork — calling that "clearance documents"
+ * reads as if EDR were clearing for him, so it is named after the direction.
+ */
+export function bookingDocNoun(
+  booking: DocNounSource,
+  { singular = false }: { singular?: boolean } = {},
+): string {
+  const kind = booking.customsClearingEnabled
+    ? "clearance"
+    : booking.tradeDirection === "IMPORT"
+      ? "import"
+      : booking.tradeDirection === "EXPORT"
+        ? "export"
+        : "intercity";
+  return `${kind} ${singular ? "document" : "documents"}`;
+}
+
+/** {@link bookingDocNoun} for the start of a sentence or a card title. */
+export function bookingDocNounCapitalized(
+  booking: Pick<ActionBooking, "customsClearingEnabled" | "tradeDirection">,
+): string {
+  const noun = bookingDocNoun(booking);
+  return noun.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + noun.slice(1);
+}
+
+function actionByStatus(booking: ActionBooking): BookingNextAction | null {
+  const noun = bookingDocNoun(booking);
+  switch (booking.status) {
+    case "AWAITING_DOCUMENTS":
+      return {
+        kind: "UPLOAD_DOCUMENTS",
+        label: "Upload documents",
+        title: `Upload ${noun}`,
+      };
+    case "DOCUMENTS_UNDER_REVIEW":
+      return {
+        kind: "FIX_DOCUMENTS",
+        label: "Review documents",
+        title: bookingDocNounCapitalized(booking),
+      };
+    case "CLEARANCE_READY":
+      return {
+        kind: "SCHEDULE_OPERATION",
+        label: "Schedule & proceed",
+        title: "Schedule your shipment",
+      };
+    default:
+      return null;
+  }
+}
+
 /** Initiated instance still carrying no cargo/price (clearance-first flow). */
 function isBareInstance(booking: ActionBooking): boolean {
   return (
@@ -83,7 +132,7 @@ export function getBookingNextAction(
       to: `/contracts/${booking.contractId}/bookings/${booking.id}/complete`,
     };
   }
-  return ACTION_BY_STATUS[booking.status as string] ?? null;
+  return actionByStatus(booking);
 }
 
 /**
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 e38fb4169..7527d37ca 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/ContractDetailPage.tsx
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-web/portal/src/pages/contracts/ContractDetailPage.tsx
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ import {
 } from "@/pages/bookings/booking-display";
 import { InitiateBookingButton } from "@/components/customer-actions/ContractCustomerAction";
 import { formatRateUnit } from "./new-contract-form/unit-rates";
+import { bookingDocNoun } from "@/pages/bookings/clearance/bookingNextAction";
 import { getContractBookingAction } from "./contract-booking-action";
 import { closedWindowMessage, hasOpenWindow } from "./booking-window";
 import { ContractBookingWindowsSection } from "./ContractBookingWindowsSection";
@@ -1231,7 +1232,7 @@ export default function ContractDetailPage() {
                       : customsPath
                         ? "No bookings yet. Global Logistics opens the shipment on your behalf — you upload the clearance documents on it."
                         : canInitiateBooking
-                          ? "No shipments yet. Start one with “Initiate booking” — you upload the clearance documents on that shipment."
+                          ? `No shipments yet. Start one with “Initiate booking” — you upload the ${bookingDocNoun(contract)} on that shipment.`
                           : "Bookings appear here once the contract is fully executed."}
                   </Text>
                 </Stack>