What is a Packing List?
Packing list is a document that is vital in international trade and it supports the commerical invoice. A packing list is created by the seller, and it contains coding and details of products being shipped with information such as weight, volume, number of packages and marks that are noted outside the package. Packing list is used by buyers, freight forwarders and customs for different purposes.
When to use Packing List?
Packing list, similar to a commercial invoice, is created in international shipments. It is created along with a commercial invoice when the manufactured or procured goods are packed and ready to be dispatched.
What are different names for a Packing List?
Packing list can also carry different names such as packing slip, shipping list, bill of parcel, unpacking note, delivery docket and manifest shipping list.
Why is Packing List important?
Packing list is a complimentary document to commercial invoice as it lists the same products mentioned in the commercial invoice but for a different purpose. It details how the goods are packaged physically which is information that is used by buyers, freight forwarders and customs. Let’s discuss why the packing list is important for all these parties in the supply chain:
- Custom authorities use packing list to match with the commercial invoice to ensure the correct taxes and duties can be levied on the goods.
- Custom authorities use packing list to ensure avoidance of fraud and illegal exportation. They do this through inspections of goods to ensure both the value and contents match what’s in the packing list.
- Freight forwarders use it to communicate with shipping and ground carriers to ensure safe loads. Since the packing list details weight and volume the shipping and ground carriers use this information to plan their loads.
- Buyers use it when they receive the goods in their warehouse. It serves as a guide for them to match the quantity and distinct items in the packages. Also, the buyers can refer to their actual count and what’s mentioned in the packing list to raise a discrepancy with the seller.
What information needs to be filled in a Packing List?
Packing List contains most of the same information as you’ve filled in Commercial Invoice such as Shipper, Consignee, Method of Shipping, Country of Origin and Country of Destination. In Cargoflip, you won’t need to add this information again in Packing List as it automatically transferred. Below are what information you’ll need to add:
Marks: These are the numbers on the outside of the packages
Description of goods: Refers to description of one product or multiple products in the same package
Unit Quantity: Refers to the number of units of one product or multiple products in packages
Kind of Packing: Refers to the type of packing such as Cartons and Pallets
Number of Packages: Refers to the number of Cartons or Pallets representing the marks
Net Weight (Kg): Refers to the summed weight of the product without addition of packaging
Gross Weight (Kg): Refers to the summed weight of product plus all packaging
Measurements (m3): Refers to the volume of the packages representing the marks
