A packing slip travels inside the parcel and lists what is in it. Enter your business, the order and the ship-to address, then each item's SKU, description, quantity ordered and quantity shipped — the slip works out what is on backorder. Prices are left off on purpose, so it can go in gift orders and drop shipments. Add return instructions, print it or download a PDF, and export the item list as a spreadsheet for your records.
A packing slip tells the person opening the box what should be inside and what is still to come. It normally shows quantities, not prices. An invoice asks for payment and shows prices and tax — see purchase order vs invoice for how the paperwork fits together. A packing list, in shipping terms, is a more detailed document for freight and export, with weights, dimensions and package counts.
Sending goods abroad needs a commercial invoice for customs as well; our guide to pro forma vs commercial invoices explains which you need and when.
Your business name and return address, the order number and order date, the ship date and carrier, the ship-to name and address, and for each line the SKU, a short description, quantity ordered, quantity shipped and quantity backordered. A short note for the customer and clear return instructions save support emails.
Use the same order number on the packing slip, the invoice and the purchase order if there is one. One number makes it easy to match a complaint about a missing item to the right shipment.
When you ship part of an order, say so on the slip. The backordered column is calculated as ordered minus shipped, and the slip prints a line telling the customer the rest will follow separately — which stops them reporting a missing item.
Count stock out of your inventory sheet when the slip is packed, not when the order arrives, so the numbers match what is physically on the shelf.
If more than one person packs orders, tick the option to add "Packed by" and "Checked by" boxes. Initials on the slip show who packed a box when a customer reports a wrong item, and a second check catches most picking errors before they ship.
Usually not. Leaving prices off lets the same slip go in gift orders and drop-shipped parcels. Send prices on the invoice or order confirmation instead.
A packing slip lists what is in the box; an invoice requests payment. Many sellers put both in the parcel, but only the invoice needs prices and tax.
Enter the quantity ordered and the quantity shipped. The difference prints in the Backordered column, with a note that the rest will ship separately.
As the slip inside the box, yes. Customs also needs a commercial invoice with values, which this slip deliberately leaves out.
Your business details and the last slip are saved in this browser only, so the next order is quicker. Nothing is sent to us.
Packing orders away from a desk? Instant Quote Maker has packing slip, sales order and invoice forms you fill in and send as PDFs from your phone.
These templates do the same job as an editable document you can fill in again and again.
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