What is a packing list?

What is a packing list for?

The commercial invoice describes the value of the goods; the packing list describes how they are packed. They describe the same shipment from different angles and complement each other.

• Customs: during inspection the officer uses the packing list to find which package to open and what should be inside. It is often attached to export and import declarations.
• Carrier: checks the number of packages, gross weight and volume at loading; the particulars in boxes 10–15 of the CMR should match the packing list.
• Consignee: compares delivered packages with the list to spot shortages or damage and note reservations.
• Banks and insurers: frequently among the documents required under a letter of credit, and used as evidence in cargo claims.

What goes on a packing list?

There is no international standard form, but in practice the following are expected:

• Names and addresses of the shipper (exporter) and consignee (importer)
• Document number and date; the related invoice number (to link the two documents)
• Transport details: places of loading and destination, mode of transport, vehicle plate or container number
• For each package: package number, packing type (carton, pallet, crate), description and quantity of the goods
• Net and gross weight per package and in total
• Package dimensions (length × width × height) and total volume (m³)
• Marks and numbers shown on the packages
• Totals: number of packages and pallets, total net/gross weight, total volume

Packing list vs invoice vs CMR

Package counts, weights and party details must be consistent across all three documents — mismatches are a common cause of customs delays. For more on the CMR see what is a CMR consignment note?.

How to calculate weights and volume

• Net weight: the goods alone, without packaging. Customs duties and statistics often use net weight.
• Gross weight: goods + inner and outer packaging + pallet. Freight, weight checks and the carrier’s liability limit are based on gross weight.
• Volume: for each package multiply length × width × height (in metres), multiply by the number of packages and add up. For example, 10 cartons of 0.60 × 0.40 × 0.40 m = 0.96 m³.
• Totals are calculated from the line totals and checked against the invoice and the CMR.

Common mistakes

• Total gross weight differs from the invoice or CMR — the first figure checked at weighing and inspection.
• Net and gross weight confused. Net is the goods only; gross includes packaging.
• Package numbers don’t match the marks on the packages, so inspectors cannot find the right one.
• Mixed packages on a single line. A package containing several products should show each on its own line.
• No invoice number, so the documents cannot be linked.

Creating a packing list online

The CMRyaz packing list tool totals packages, pallets and weights automatically; because the invoice and CMR can be prepared from the same data, the three documents stay consistent. Download as PDF or share by QR code.