Free Packing Slip Generator - PDF Download | InvoiceBean

A packing slip — sometimes called a packing list, shipping list, or waybill — is the shipping document that travels with a parcel from warehouse to recipient. It lists every item physically packed inside the carton or pallet so the receiving party can verify the shipment contents without opening every box. While a commercial invoice handles the financial and customs side of a transaction, a packing slip handles the logistical side: carton counts, weights, dimensions, SKU references, and tracking information. E-commerce sellers, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), and B2B distributors all rely on accurate packing slips to reduce returns, dispute claims, and warehouse picking errors. InvoiceBean's free packing slip generator produces a clean, watermark-free PDF with ship-from and ship-to addresses, carrier and tracking number, item-level SKUs, and quantities — ready to print and tape to the outside of the parcel or include inside.

Required Fields Explained

Packing slip number

A unique reference (e.g. PS-2026-0001) that matches the related order or invoice so warehouse staff can reconcile the picked items against the original order.

Ship-from address

The warehouse or fulfillment center origin address. Include contact name and phone number so the carrier can resolve pickup issues.

Ship-to address

The recipient's full delivery address with country and a contact phone or email for last-mile delivery exceptions.

Carrier and tracking number

The shipping carrier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, USPS, local courier) and the tracking number so the recipient can monitor the shipment status.

Order or invoice reference

The originating sales order number or invoice number — links the physical shipment back to the financial transaction for accounts receivable.

Line items with SKUs

Product code (SKU/UPC), description, quantity ordered, quantity shipped, and any backorder notes. No prices — packing slips intentionally omit pricing.

Total carton count and weight

Number of cartons in the shipment, total gross weight, and total volume. Used by carriers for billing and by recipients to spot missing cartons.

How This Differs From Other Documents

A packing slip is a logistics document and contains no pricing or tax information. This is its key distinction from invoices, commercial invoices, and credit notes — all of which carry monetary values. A packing slip lists only what was physically shipped: SKUs, quantities, and carton information. A commercial invoice may travel with the same shipment for customs purposes but serves a different role. A delivery note is the closest cousin of a packing slip; in some markets the two terms are used interchangeably, but a delivery note is typically signed by the recipient as proof of delivery, while a packing slip is purely informational. A bill of lading, used in freight shipping, is a contract of carriage between shipper and carrier and is distinct from both packing slips and delivery notes.

Best Practices

• Never include prices on a packing slip — the document may be visible to anyone handling the parcel and pricing should stay private between seller and buyer.
• Always include the order or invoice reference number so warehouse picking errors can be traced back to the source order.
• List quantity ordered and quantity shipped separately so partial shipments and backorders are clearly visible to the recipient.
• Print one packing slip per shipment, not per order — if an order ships in multiple parcels, generate a slip for each parcel with carton X of Y notation.
• Place the packing slip in a self-adhesive document pouch on the outside of the largest carton so the recipient can locate it without opening the parcel.

FAQ