Free Packing Slip Template

What a Packing Slip Template Is and Who Needs One

A packing slip is a document included in or attached to a shipment that lists every item in the package, the quantities shipped, and the order reference. It is not an invoice: it does not show prices, and it is not a payment request. Its job is to help the recipient verify they received what was ordered and to give warehouse staff a checklist for packing accurately.

A packing list template serves the same function but is common in freight and international shipping contexts, where the list may accompany cargo that contains multiple items or packages. A bill of lading template, sometimes called a BOL template, is a legal shipping document that serves as a contract between the shipper and the carrier: it identifies the goods, the origin, the destination, and the terms of transport. All three documents travel with a shipment, but they serve different audiences: the packing slip is for the recipient, the packing list is for customs and logistics, and the bill of lading is for the carrier and the shipper.

For ecommerce operations of any size, including a packing slip in every outbound shipment reduces customer service contacts. When a customer opens a box and counts items against a printed list, they can identify a discrepancy immediately and contact you with a specific item number rather than a vague complaint. That one change shortens every return and dispute conversation.

• Ecommerce sellers including a packing slip in every outbound order for order verification
• Wholesalers and distributors shipping pallets or cases to retail customers
• Manufacturers shipping components or finished goods to other businesses
• Freight brokers and shippers creating a bill of lading for carrier contracts
• Importers and exporters attaching a packing list for customs clearance
• Fulfillment centers packing multi-item orders accurately and tracking backorders

What to Include in a Packing Slip Template

A complete packing slip template covers sender and recipient information, order details, and an itemized list of everything in the package. For a packing list template used in freight, add package dimensions and weight. For a bill of lading template, add carrier information, terms of transport, and a declared value or freight class. Below are the standard fields for a packing slip and the additional fields needed for a BOL template.

The backordered quantity column is worth including even if you rarely use it. When an order ships partially, noting which items are on backorder and the expected fulfillment date on the same packing slip eliminates a follow-up customer service inquiry. Customers who can see exactly what is coming and when are far less likely to call or email.

• Ship from: your company name, address, phone, and email
• Ship to: recipient name, company if applicable, and full delivery address
• Order number and order date: links the packing slip to the purchase record
• Ship date and carrier name: when the package left and who is transporting it
• Tracking number: lets the recipient monitor delivery status
• Itemized list: SKU or item number, description, quantity ordered, quantity shipped, and quantity on backorder
• Package summary: total item count, number of packages, and total weight
• Special instructions or notes: handling requirements, return policy reference, or customer message
• For a bill of lading template: freight class, declared value, carrier signature line, consignee information, and terms of transport

How to Use a Packing Slip Template Step by Step

Creating a packing slip takes a few minutes per order if you have a template ready. For high order volumes, most ecommerce platforms generate packing slips automatically, but a Google Docs or Excel packing slip template is the right tool for manual shipments, wholesale orders, or situations where your shipping platform does not cover all order types.

1. Copy the template into Google Docs or your preferred document editor. Save a master copy and duplicate it for each shipment.
2. Fill in the Ship From section with your standard business address and contact information. If you ship from multiple locations, keep a version for each address.
3. Enter the Ship To information from the order: the recipient's full name, company if applicable, and complete delivery address including ZIP code.
4. Enter the order number, order date, ship date, carrier, and tracking number. Add the tracking number after the label is generated.
5. Fill in the item list: add each product's SKU or item number, a clear description, the quantity ordered, and the quantity you are actually including in this shipment. If any items are backordered, note them in the Qty Backordered column.
6. Complete the package summary: total items shipped, number of separate packages, and total weight. This helps the recipient identify if multiple packages belong to the same order.
7. Print the packing slip and include it inside the package, or attach it to the outside in a clear shipping pouch. For freight, attach it to the primary pallet or container.
8. File a copy of the packing slip with your order records for returns, disputes, or audits.

Packing Slip vs. Packing List vs. Bill of Lading: Key Differences

The three main shipping document formats are related but serve distinct purposes. Using the wrong document in a shipping context can cause customs delays or carrier disputes, so it is worth understanding what each one does.

A packing slip template is an internal customer-facing document. It has no legal standing, shows no prices, and simply helps the recipient verify their order. A packing list template is functionally similar but is used in freight and international shipping where customs officials and freight forwarders need a formal record of what is inside a shipment. For international shipments, a packing list often accompanies a commercial invoice. A bill of lading template, also called a BOL template, is a legal contract between the shipper and the freight carrier. It identifies the goods, specifies the origin and destination, sets the freight terms, and serves as a receipt of goods. Without a valid BOL, a carrier has no obligation to transport the freight.

• Packing slip template: for the customer, confirms order contents, no prices shown, no legal status
• Packing list template: for customs and freight, lists contents and weights for a full shipment or container
• Bill of lading template: legal contract between shipper and carrier, required for freight transport
• BOL template: same as bill of lading, covers straight BOL (non-negotiable) and order BOL (negotiable title transfer)

Packing Slip Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

A packing slip is one of the simplest shipping documents, but small errors create real customer service problems and return headaches. A few habits prevent the most common issues.

One mistake that is easy to overlook: the packing slip should reflect what is actually in the box, not what was on the original order. If a picker substitutes a similar item or ships a partial order, the packing slip must be updated to match reality. A packing slip that lists items not in the shipment creates as many problems as no packing slip at all.

• Always include a packing slip, even for single-item orders. It gives the customer a reference they can use if they need to return or exchange the item
• Match the packing slip to the actual contents, not the original order. If you are shipping a partial order, update the Qty Shipped column and clearly mark backordered items
• Do not show prices on a packing slip if the shipment is a gift or if the recipient should not see costs. Use a separate invoice for billing
• For a bill of lading template, verify the freight class before submitting. Carriers can reclassify freight and charge additional fees if the class is wrong
• Keep a digital copy of every packing slip and BOL. Disputes, loss claims, and audits require documentation that paper-only systems cannot easily produce
• For international packing list templates, confirm customs requirements for the destination country. Some countries require specific harmonized tariff codes and declared values on the packing list