A packing slip travels inside or alongside the shipment. It identifies the sender and ship-to recipient, references the order, and lists the quantity packed for each item. Unlike an invoice, it normally omits unit prices, totals and payment information—the generator above hides those fields automatically.
Use the description for the SKU, product name and variant, and Qty packed for the physical count. Put the sales order, purchase order, carrier, tracking number and package count in the notes. The receiver can then check the delivery without seeing commercial pricing.
Packing slip vs invoice
A packing slip proves what the shipment is supposed to contain; an invoice states what the buyer owes. They can share an order reference, but they serve different teams. Warehouse staff use the packing slip for picking and receiving, while accounts payable uses the invoice.
Do not substitute a packing slip for customs paperwork or a commercial invoice on international shipments. Customs documents often require declared values and other shipment data that this domestic packing list intentionally omits.
How to prevent packing errors
Use one line per SKU and variant, not just a broad product family. Have the packer mark or verify each quantity, then add “package 1 of 2” when an order ships in multiple boxes. Put a copy in every package if they may arrive separately.
If items are backordered, do not list them as packed. Note the partial shipment and include only the quantity physically present so the receiver can reconcile it accurately.
Download this document in an editable format
Use the generator above, then choose Word or Excel in the download menu. The file is created locally from the current document.
Frequently asked questions
Should a packing slip show prices?
Usually no. It is a contents and receiving document, so this template hides rates and totals. Send the invoice separately when payment information is needed.
Is a packing slip the same as a bill of lading?
No. A bill of lading is a transport contract and receipt issued around the carrier relationship; a packing slip is the seller’s list of package contents.
What should I use as the packing slip number?
Use a unique shipment or packing number and include the related order or PO number in the notes so the documents can be matched.
Can I export an editable packing list?
Yes. The same contents can be downloaded as DOCX or XLSX as well as printed or saved as PDF.