Free Packing List Generator

How to Make a Packing List

This packing list template is organised around a shipment, not a sale. Fill it in like this:

1. Add the shipper: Enter your business name, logo, and address. This is who the shipment is from.
2. Add the consignee: Enter the receiver and their address. This is the Ship To party on the packing list.
3. Add a reference and date: Use your order, shipment, or reference number so the list can be matched to the rest of the paperwork.
4. List every item: Add one line per product with a clear description and the quantity shipped. Prices are not shown on a packing list, so you focus on contents.
5. Download the PDF: Click Download PDF, print it, and include a copy with the shipment. For freight, a copy often goes in a documents pouch on the outside of the carton.

What Is a Packing List?

A packing list is an itemized document that details the contents of a shipment. It records each product and the quantity being sent, and it travels with the goods so the receiver, the carrier, and customs officers can confirm what is physically in the boxes. Like a packing slip, a packing list shows no prices. Its purpose is to describe contents, not value.

A packing list becomes most important the moment a shipment leaves a simple retail parcel and turns into freight. When you ship pallets, multiple cartons, or goods across a border, the people handling the shipment need a precise contents record they can check box by box. That record is the packing list.

Packing List vs Packing Slip

These two terms overlap so much that many people treat them as the same thing, and for a single small parcel they effectively are. Both are no-price documents that list the contents of a shipment.

The difference is one of scale and detail:

• A packing slip is the simple version. It is the slip you drop inside a retail order so the customer can check their items.
• A packing list is usually the fuller version. For freight and export it often records more, such as the number of packages, and is the document carriers and customs expect to see.

If you only ship single parcels to consumers, either document works. If you ship in bulk or internationally, "packing list" is the term you will see on carrier and customs paperwork.

Packing List vs Commercial Invoice

For international shipping, the packing list does not stand alone. It works alongside a commercial invoice, and the two have separate jobs:

• The packing list answers "what is in the shipment?" It describes items and quantities with no prices.
• The commercial invoice answers "what are the goods worth?" It states values and is used for customs valuation and payment.

Customs and carriers cross-check the two documents. The packing list confirms the physical contents, and the commercial invoice confirms the declared value. Sending them together, with matching item details, helps a shipment clear customs without delay. If you need to produce the priced document too, our invoice generator shares this tool's engine.

What to Include on a Packing List

A useful packing list is clear and complete:

• Shipper and consignee details with full addresses.
• A reference number and date that match your other shipping documents.
• A line for every item: description and quantity. Adding the SKU or part number speeds up checking at the other end.
• Notes for handling, such as fragile items or special storage.

For freight and export, shippers commonly add the number of packages, plus weights and dimensions, in the notes or alongside each line so the carrier can confirm the load.

Tips for Better Packing Lists

• One list per shipment, split by box where needed. If a shipment spans several cartons, make it clear which items are in which box. This prevents disputes about short deliveries.
• Keep descriptions consistent. Use the same product names and codes across your packing list, your purchase order, and your invoice. Matching details are what let everyone reconcile the paperwork quickly.
• Check destination rules. Requirements vary by country and carrier. Confirm what your destination needs before you ship, especially for customs.
• Keep a copy for your records. The packing list is your proof of exactly what you sent if a claim is ever raised.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a packing list?

A packing list is an itemized document that details the contents of a shipment. It lists each product and quantity and travels with the goods so the receiver can verify what arrived. It does not show prices.

What is the difference between a packing list and a packing slip?

The two terms are often used interchangeably for a contents document with no prices. In practice a packing list tends to be the more detailed version used for freight and export, while a packing slip is the simpler version dropped in a retail parcel.

Is a packing list the same as a commercial invoice?

No. A packing list describes what is in the shipment and shows no prices. A commercial invoice states the value of the goods for payment and customs. International shipments usually need both documents.

Do I need a packing list for international shipping?

For most international and freight shipments, yes. Carriers and customs use the packing list to check the contents of each box against the commercial invoice. Always confirm the exact requirements for your destination.

Is this packing list generator free?

Yes, it is 100% free, needs no signup, and lets you create unlimited packing lists.