Packing List Explained (With Examples)

A packing list is a detailed document that accompanies international shipments, listing all items in the package with quantities, weights, and dimensions. While not always legally required, it's essential for customs processing, carrier handling, and shipment verification.

This guide explains what packing lists are, when they're required, what information to include, and provides examples of properly formatted packing lists.

What Is a Packing List?

A packing list is a detailed inventory of all items in a shipment. Unlike a commercial invoice (which focuses on value and classification), a packing list focuses on physical contents: what's in each box, how many items, weights, and dimensions. A commercial packing list submitted alongside your invoice gives customs officials a complete picture of the shipment.

Packing lists serve multiple purposes: they help customs verify shipment contents, assist carriers in handling packages, help recipients verify deliveries, and provide documentation for insurance claims.

Using a packing list template ensures you include all required fields consistently across shipments. A well-prepared packing list for customs reduces the chance of holds caused by discrepancies between your invoice and the physical package contents.

When Is a Packing List Required?

Packing list requirements vary by carrier, destination country, and shipment type:

Carrier requirements: Many carriers (FedEx, DHL, UPS) require packing lists for international shipments, especially for multiple packages
Customs verification: Customs uses packing lists to verify shipment contents match commercial invoices
Multiple packages: When shipping multiple boxes, packing lists help track contents of each package
Insurance claims: Required documentation for filing insurance claims if items are damaged or lost
Destination country regulations: Some countries require packing lists for all commercial shipments

What Information to Include

A complete packing list should include:

Header Information:

Shipper name and address
Consignee name and address
Invoice number (should match commercial invoice)
Ship date
Tracking number

Item Details (for each item):

Item description
Quantity
Unit weight
Total weight
Dimensions (length, width, height)
Package number (if multiple packages)

Summary Information:

Total number of packages
Total weight
Total number of items

Example Packing List

PACKING LIST

Shipper:

ABC Trading Co., Ltd.

123 Export Street

Seoul, South Korea 12345

Consignee:

XYZ Importers Inc.

456 Import Avenue

London, UK SW1A 1AA

Invoice Number: INV-2026-001234

Ship Date: 2026-01-15

Tracking Number: 1234567890

Package #	Description	Qty	Weight (kg)	Dimensions (cm)
1	Cotton T-Shirt, Adult Size Large, Navy Blue	25	2.5	40x30x20
1	Cotton T-Shirt, Adult Size Medium, Black	25	2.5	40x30x20
2	Cotton T-Shirt, Adult Size Small, White	50	5.0	50x40x30
TOTAL		100	10.0	-

Total Packages: 2

Total Weight: 10.0 kg

Total Items: 100

Packing List vs Commercial Invoice

Packing lists and commercial invoices serve different purposes but work together:

Commercial Invoice:

Focuses on value and classification
Includes prices, HS codes, country of origin
Used for customs duty calculation
Legally required for commercial shipments

Packing List:

Focuses on physical contents
Includes quantities, weights, dimensions
Used for shipment verification and handling
Often required but not always legally mandatory

Both documents should match in terms of item descriptions and quantities. Discrepancies between packing lists and commercial invoices can cause customs holds.

Best Practices

Match commercial invoice: Item descriptions and quantities should match the commercial invoice exactly
Be specific: Use detailed descriptions, not vague terms
Include all packages: If shipping multiple boxes, list contents of each package
Accurate weights: Use actual weights, not estimates
Clear formatting: Use tables or clear lists for easy reading
Multiple copies: Include packing list inside each package and attach to outside

Create Compliant Commercial Invoices

While DocInvo focuses on commercial invoices, packing lists should match invoice contents. Use DocInvo to create accurate commercial invoices, then create matching packing lists with the same item information.

Create Invoice Now

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