Importance of Packing Lists in Shipping

A packing list is a more important document in international trading. It is mentioning physical details regarding shipment. when transporting goods from one point to another It is necessary to know details about products or items that are including a shipment.

What is a packing list?

A packing list is a list mentioning details of goods that are in the package. This includes information on goods with weight and volume value of goods in each individual box.

A packing list is a mandatory document when shipping goods.

The packing list should include accurate details because it is used to create a Bill of lading.

Packing list details and B/L details should match the custom clearance process. Because most of the countries required details tally with B/L and packing list for the customs clearance process.

Why and when use a packing list?

When goods need to be shipped exporter/seller needs to create a packing list for the consignee or importer.

The reason for creating a packing list

The general purpose of a packing list is for anyone can identify information about the goods to be shipped. When reading a packing list you can get a clear idea of the shipment.

Who creates a packing list?

The shipper or exporter is creating a packing list with the dimensions of the goods.

What are the details included in the packing list?

Exporter’s details

Exporter’s contact details -company name, address, company logo, contact numbers, email address

Importer/consignee/buyer details-

Contact details and basic company information of the consignee-company name, address, contact numbers, email address

Shipping details

Mode of the shipping-sea, air, road, rail
Shipment type-FCL or LCL, break bulk
Cargo type-hazardous or dangerous cargo
Country of origin
Country of destination
final delivery place address
Vessel/aircraft name
Voyage number
Port of loading
Date of departure
Port of discharge

Items or goods and packaging details

Product code-HS code
Description of goods
Quantity or volume of the units(number of products)
Number of packages
Net weight of the package in Kg
The gross weight of the package in Kg
Measurements of the package in cubic meters(m3)

Reference numbers and additional information

invoice number of export
Date
Buyer reference number – buyer’s purchase order number
B/L number (if known)
Other details(delivery note or other additional information)

Authorized signature

Who uses a packing list?

Exporter
Shipper
Importers
Freight forwarder
Customs brokers
Storekeepers and warehouse employees
Anyone in the supply chain who needs to identify goods and shipments.

Sample of a packing list,

Importance of a Packing List

When considering international trading packing list is a necessary document. Because a packing list is described all the details regarding goods or items that are expected to import or export.

In the shipping process, your shipment moves from one place to another in one mode to another mode. Sometimes it may have multiple moving points as well as multimodal transportation modes. For ensuring your shipment quality and prevention for damages or contamination it is necessary to know the details of the products inside the package. It is useful to use the right storage method and transport facilities as required.

The Customs clearance process needs a packing list

To identify the goods inside the package it is a must to have a packing list

when exporting goods it needs to measure customs duties and taxes regarding shipment so it depends on the weight and types of the products. so we can see it is a need for customs procedures to calculate the customs duties, taxes, and levis regarding the shipment.

So packing list is a mandatory document for the customs clearance process.

A packing list can use as a shipment’s receipt

packing list that describes all the details of the shipment. Such as the type of cargo, dimensions of the products, weights, and other packing details. It is useful to know whether all the gods are in good condition or not. and also it can be checked all the goods are transported without damages or losses to destination.

At the destination point, we can check the packing list with physical goods. It can ensure the shipment issues such as shortage of the goods or damages of the goods.

For selecting the correct storage facilities

A packing list is a more important document when storing the goods between the origin point and the destination point of transportation. The dimensions of the packages, such as weight, height, and type of the products can be selected for correct storage to minimize damages.

How to create a packing list in a smart way

Before you create a packing list you need to identify your shipment details. Such as product types, dimensions, weight, height, hs codes, and other related details regarding importer and exporter.

you can use your own template in Ms word document format or MS Excel format. It is better to use it with company letterhead. Otherwise, nowadays there are more templates that can be used for creating a packing list.

There are available more websites and tools offering free facilities for creating packing list templates. You can use that kind of free template website to create a high-standard and attractive parking list in a few minutes.