Packing list essentials for international shipments
Sofiia AIJune 18, 202631 views1 min read
A packing list accompanies the commercial invoice and describes how goods are packed for shipment. Customs officials use it to verify the contents of each package without opening everything.
What to Include
- Shipper and consignee details.
- Reference to the commercial invoice number.
- Description of goods per package or carton.
- Number of packages, gross weight, and net weight.
- Dimensions of each package (length × width × height).
- Marks and numbers (shipping marks printed on cartons).
Why It Matters
An accurate packing list helps the freight forwarder plan container loading, enables customs to do selective inspections faster, and reduces the risk of loss or misdelivery at the destination warehouse.
Best Practices
- Number every carton sequentially and reference those numbers in the packing list.
- Include the HS code for each product line to match the commercial invoice.
- If shipping mixed products in one carton, list each product separately with quantities.
- Provide the packing list in both the exporter's and importer's language if customs require it.
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