Packing Slip

What is a packing slip?

A packing slip is a document included with shipped orders that itemizes the contents of the package, listing products, quantities, SKUs and order information.

It is sometimes called a packing list or shipping packing slip.

Is a packing slip the same as an invoice?

No. Invoices show pricing and payment terms, while packing slips focus on shipment contents.

They help operatives verify that they have received the correct items without exposing pricing information and other sensitive data to unintended recipients.

What does a packing slip template contain?

A packing slip contains the following information:

  • General information: Including order identification numbers and shipment dates, as well as return instructions and policies. Providing return authorization processes and prepaid label information can streamline the returns management process

  • Item information: Including descriptions, SKU numbers and quantities ordered versus quantities shipped

  • Customer information: Including ship-to addresses and contact details

  • Tracking information: Including carrier names, tracking numbers and shipment methods

Can I provide digital packing lists?

Yes. Digital packing slips, which are emailed to clients or provided through customer portals, reduce paper waste and printing costs.

However, many consumer shipments still include physical packing slips, as they’re easy to access and verify order accuracy.

Can I create packing slips manually?

You can create packing slips manually using tools like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. However, packing slip software, integrated with your warehouse management system (WMS), can save time and resources, especially if you handle a lot of orders.

Packing slip software integrated with WMS automatically creates documents during order fulfillment. As operatives complete picking and packing, the WMS compiles shipped quantities, applies packing slip templates with company branding and formatting and prints or electronically generates slips for inclusion in packages.

Businesses, no matter their size, can tailor packing slip content for different customer segments, sales channels or product categories. For example, B2B shipments may include detailed SKU information and purchase order references, while consumer orders may feature simplified descriptions and prominent return policies.