In international trade, documents are an important guarantee for the smooth progress of trade activities. As one of the core documents, Packing List is not only closely related to the actual goods, but also plays an irreplaceable role in customs clearance, receipt, transportation and other links.
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What is a Packing List?
Packing List, also known as Shipping List or Bill of Lading, is a detailed cargo packing information document provided by the exporter or freight forwarder at the time of shipment.
It is mainly used to explain the specific contents, quantity, volume, gross weight, net weight and other information of the goods contained in each package, which is a supplement and extension of the invoice content. It is mainly used for customs clearance, transportation and receipt verification of goods.
What information Does a Packing List contain?
A complete Packing List usually includes the following core contents:
Basic Information
- Exporter Information (Exporter/Shipper): Company name, address, contact information.
- Importer Information (Importer/Consignee): Name and address of the buyer or consignee.
- Packing List No.: usually associated with the invoice number.
- Date: date of making the order.
- Contract No./PO No.: related transaction contract.
- Transportation information: Vessel/Flight No., Port of Loading & Discharge.
Goods Details
- Description of Goods: consistent with the invoice, usually in English.
- Specification/Model: such as size, color, material, etc.
- Quantity: total quantity of each item, unit (such as PCS, KG, etc.).
- Packing Type: such as carton, wooden case, pallet, etc.
- Quantity per Package: such as 100 pieces per box.
- Total Packages: such as “20 Cartons”.
- Gross Weight (G.W.): The total weight of each box (usually in KG).
- Net Weight (N.W.): The weight of the goods after deducting the packaging.
- Volume (Measurement): The total volume of a single box (such as CBM, cubic meters).
Other information
- Shipping Marks: Shipping marks, usually provided by the buyer.
- Special Remarks: Such as Fragile, Keep Dry, etc.
- Signature & Stamp: The exporter’s seal or signature.
The Role of Packing List in International Trade
Packing list plays the following important roles in the entire international trade process:
Logistics and transportation management
Help freight companies, shipping companies or airlines calculate freight (by weight or volume) to ensure that goods are loaded correctly and avoid misloading or missing goods.
Customs clearance
Customs uses packing list to check whether the goods are consistent with the declaration to prevent concealment and smuggling of contraband. Some countries require that the packing list must be completely consistent with the bill of lading and invoice information, otherwise it may affect customs clearance.
Transportation scheduling
Logistics companies use packing list to arrange loading and unloading plans, such as loading and distributing containers, formulating stacking plans, and planning transportation routes. Especially in FCL or LCL transportation, the packing details determine the space utilization rate of the goods.
Confirmation of receipt
After the goods arrive, the consignee checks whether the received goods are consistent with the shipment according to the packing list, which is an important basis for goods acceptance and complaints.
Insurance claims
In the event of loss, shortage or damage of goods, the insurance company will also refer to the packing list to verify the scope and amount of claims.
Applicable Scenarios of Packing List
Packing list runs through the entire international logistics chain. The following are common usage scenarios
| Scenario | Function |
| Customs declaration | Declare cargo information to the customs and assist in review |
| Loading | Assist the warehouse to arrange the order and loading method of loading |
| During transportation | The logistics company uses it for tracking and operation |
| Customs clearance at the port | Assist the import customs to verify the declaration content |
| Receipt inspection | The consignee verifies the content and quantity of the cargo based on this |
| Insurance claim | As one of the claims vouchers |
Notes on Packing List
When making and using packing list, you need to pay attention to the following points:
Accurate and clear information
All quantities, dimensions, and weights must be consistent with the actual situation to avoid inconsistencies with invoices and other documents.
Compliance requirements
Special commodities need to indicate the quarantine certificate number (such as food), and dangerous goods need to list the UN number and MSDS information.
Language uniformity
Usually use English or Chinese and English to ensure that all international parties can understand.
Clear box number
If there are multiple packages, the content of each box number should be marked on the packing list for easy inspection.
Although the packing list seems simple, it is an important document that cannot be ignored in international trade. It not only reflects the actual situation of the goods, but also plays the role of “bridge” and “bond” in various links such as customs clearance, transportation, and delivery. Learn more about the packing list through this article.