Free Packing Slip Template
A packing slip travels with a physical shipment, listing exactly what’s inside the box — no pricing, just contents and quantities.
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| Description | Qty | Price | Tax % | Total |
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Nothing you type here is uploaded anywhere — your invoice is built entirely in your browser.
A packing slip travels with a physical shipment, listing exactly what’s inside the box — no pricing, just contents and quantities. It’s what a warehouse or recipient uses to verify a shipment against what was ordered, separate from the invoice (which handles payment) and the purchase order (which handles the original request).
What to include on a packing slip
- Shipment/order reference number
- Shipping and billing addresses
- Itemized list of contents with quantities (no pricing)
- Shipping method and expected delivery date
- Any partial-shipment notes (e.g. “2 of 3 boxes”)
How to make a packing slip
- Add your business details and the customer’s shipping address.
- Reference the order — order number, PO number or invoice number.
- List every item in the box — SKU, description and quantity shipped.
- Note backorders — “Qty ordered 10, shipped 6, backordered 4”.
- Leave prices off if the parcel is a gift or goes to a third party — set prices to zero or describe items only.
- Add return instructions in the notes.
- Print and place it inside the package, or in a clear pouch on the outside.
Packing slip vs invoice vs shipping label
| Document | Purpose | Shows prices? | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packing slip | Lists the contents of a shipment | Usually no | Inside the package |
| Invoice | Requests payment | Yes | Emailed or sent to billing |
| Shipping label | Gets the parcel delivered | No | Outside the package |
| Bill of lading | Contract with the freight carrier | No | With the carrier |
Why packing slips reduce problems
- Customers can check their order as soon as they open the box.
- Warehouse staff can verify picks before sealing the parcel.
- Receiving teams at businesses match the slip to their PO to confirm delivery.
- Returns are easier with SKUs and order numbers on hand.
- Split shipments are clear — the customer knows what’s still to come.
Frequently asked questions
What is a packing slip?
A document included in a shipment that lists the items packed and their quantities, usually without prices, so the recipient can check the contents.
Does a packing slip show prices?
Usually not, especially for gifts or drop-shipped orders. Prices go on the invoice, which is sent to the person paying.
Is a packing slip the same as a packing list?
They’re very similar. ‘Packing list’ is often used in international freight and may include weights and dimensions for customs and carriers.