What Is a Packing List in Shipping?

A packing list is the shipping document that itemizes the contents of each package (box, pallet and so on), including weights, measurements and detailed lists of the goods in each package. The International Trade Administration (trade.gov) covers it in its export documentation guidance.

According to trade.gov:

• Where it goes: the packing list should be included in the carton or package, and can be attached to the outside of a package with a copy inside.
• Freight forwarders: use it to determine weights and freight costs.
• Customs: US and foreign customs officials use it to check the contents of a specific package or carton.

On the US import side, 19 CFR 142.3(a) lists the entry documentation required to secure the release of merchandise, except where the regulation provides otherwise. Alongside items such as the entry form and the commercial invoice, paragraph (a)(4) lists a packing list, where appropriate. Separately, 19 CFR 141.86 sets the contents of invoices of imported merchandise, and its paragraph (e), headed Packing list, says each invoice must state in adequate detail what merchandise is contained in each individual package.

This is general information, not legal or customs advice.

Following trade.gov's description, a packing list sets out:

• Each package in the shipment, such as a box, carton or pallet
• A detailed list of the goods in each package
• Weights
• Measurements

These documents travel together but do different jobs:

• Packing list: the package-by-package record of contents, weights and measurements that forwarders and customs work from.
• Packing slip: the document in the box for the receiver. Shopify says packing slips help warehouse staff pick and pack orders accurately and give customers a record of what's included in their shipment.
• Commercial invoice: trade.gov calls it a required document for the export and import clearance process; in the buyer's country, customs officials use it to assess import duties and taxes.

An exporter ships three pallets of shop towels and rags:

• Pallet 1: 40 cartons of shop towels at 12 kg each: 40 x 12 = 480 kg of goods, plus a 20 kg pallet = 500 kg
• Pallet 2: 36 cartons of shop towels at 12 kg each: 36 x 12 = 432 kg, plus 20 kg = 452 kg
• Pallet 3: 24 cartons of wiping rags at 15 kg each: 24 x 15 = 360 kg, plus 20 kg = 380 kg

The packing list shows each pallet's contents, weight and dimensions, and a total of 500 + 452 + 380 = 1,332 kg. The forwarder prices the freight from those figures, and if customs opens pallet 3, the officer can check its 24 cartons against the list.

Shopify's product details page stores shipping data for each product:

• Weight: Shopify says the product weight needs to be exact because it's used to calculate shipping rates.
• Packed product size: the outer length, width and height of the product after it's packed.
• Customs information: selecting this lets you save information that's required when shipping products internationally, including the country or region of origin and the Harmonized System (HS) code.

For the document that goes in each box, see packing slip.

Uncap's guide to EDI for distributors on Shopify covers the shipment document retail trading partners expect: the 856 advance ship notice describes the physical shipment, cartons, contents, and the GS1-128 labels on the boxes, and it must arrive before the truck does. Late or inaccurate ASNs are the classic source of compliance deductions.

• Packing slip
• Commercial invoice
• Bill of lading
• Freight forwarder
• EDI 856
• Certificate of origin

• International Trade Administration: Packing List
• 19 CFR 142.3, Entry documentation required (Cornell LII)
• 19 CFR 141.86, Contents of invoices and general requirements (Cornell LII)