Packing List

A packing list (also called a packing slip or shipping list) is a document prepared by the shipper that provides a detailed breakdown of a shipment's contents — package by package, item by item. Unlike the commercial invoice, which focuses on the financial transaction, the packing list focuses on the physical details: exactly what is in each box, carton, or pallet, and the physical characteristics of each package.

What a Packing List Contains

A complete packing list includes:

• Shipper and consignee details (matching the commercial invoice)
• Invoice or order reference number
• Shipment date
• List of packages: Each carton/pallet numbered (Package 1 of 20, etc.)
• Contents per package: SKU, description, quantity in each box
• Unit of measure: Pieces, kg, liters, etc.
• Net weight of each package (weight of goods only, excluding packaging)
• Gross weight of each package (including packaging)
• Dimensions of each package (L × W × H)
• Total net weight, gross weight, and package count for the shipment
• Marks and numbers: Shipping marks, handling instructions

Why the Packing List Matters

Customs clearance: Customs officers use the packing list alongside the commercial invoice to verify that the declared goods match the physical shipment. Discrepancies between the invoice value and the packing list quantities trigger examination and potential hold.

Receiving verification: At the destination warehouse, the receiving team uses the packing list (or its electronic equivalent, the ASN) to verify that the correct items and quantities arrived. Without a packing list, receiving becomes a manual discovery process.

Insurance claims: In the event of damage or shortage, the packing list establishes what was in each package, making it far easier to substantiate a claim for the specific damaged items.

Packing List vs. Commercial Invoice

Both documents are required for international shipments. For simple shipments, some exporters combine them into a single "invoice and packing list" document — acceptable for customs as long as all required fields from both documents are present.

Electronic Packing Lists

The electronic equivalent of the packing list is the ASN (Advanced Shipping Notice) — an EDI transaction (856 in North America) that transmits packing list data electronically to the consignee's WMS or ERP system before the physical shipment arrives. EDI-enabled supply chains process inbound shipments dramatically faster because the receiving system can pre-generate putaway tasks before the truck docks.