What Is a Packing List in International Shipping?
A packing list details the contents, weights, and dimensions of every package in a shipment. Required for customs and logistics.
Key Takeaways
- A packing list details what is in each box or pallet of a shipment
- It must agree with the commercial invoice on product description and quantity
- Customs uses it to verify the physical shipment against the declared import
- Your freight forwarder and customs broker need it before clearance
What a packing list contains
A packing list accompanies every international commercial shipment. It details the physical contents of each package, carton, or pallet: products inside, number of units, gross and net weight, and dimensions. Unlike the commercial invoice (a financial document), the packing list is a physical inventory document.
Why it is required
Customs authorities use the packing list to verify that the physical shipment matches the declared commercial invoice. Inconsistencies between the invoice and packing list are a red flag that can trigger a physical examination of the shipment, causing delay and storage charges.
How it differs from the invoice
The commercial invoice focuses on value — what was sold and for how much. The packing list focuses on physical detail — what is physically present and how it is packed. Both are required for customs clearance. The product description must be consistent across both documents.
Format
Most packing lists include: shipper and consignee details, invoice number and date, vessel or flight number and date, a line for each carton showing contents, quantity, net weight, gross weight, and dimensions, and totals for package count, net weight, gross weight, and total volume.
Practical tips
Always request the packing list from your supplier before shipment departs. Check it against the commercial invoice for consistency. Forward both to your freight forwarder as early as possible. Keep a copy of every packing list with your customs records for the mandatory four-year retention period.