Fast and effective shipping is essential for any e-commerce store. One easy way to improve your packaging process and boost quality is to customer service Simply add a packing slip to each order.
Creating a packing slip only takes a few minutes, but it can save you time and effort by ensuring your products are shipped properly. Learn more about when to include a packing slip and download Shopify’s free packing slip template to get started.
What is a packing slip?
A packing slip is a document that details the items contained in a package. Packing slips are useful for both sellers and customers. Packing slips help customers quickly identify the items included in an order and streamline the shipping process. Delivery Process For sellers.
A packing slip has two main functions: it acts as a checklist for the packer, who can review the packing slip to ensure that all items ordered by the customer are included; and after the order is delivered, the customer can use the packing slip to check for missing items and Returns or Exchanges.
What is a digital packing slip?
To reduce paper waste, some businesses choose digital packing slips, which contain the same information as printed packing slips, but are sent via email or link.
Britt Martin, Head of Partnerships at Sustainable Packaging Company Arcastates that digital packing slips “not only minimize waste, but also improve your customers’ ability to access and control their transaction records.” Sending digital packing slips also makes it easier to search your backlog of all shipped orders and their contents.
What is the difference between a packing slip and a shipping label?
Both help streamline the shipping process, but packing slips and Shipping Label.
First, the packing slip is affixed to the inside of the package, and the shipping label is affixed to the outside. The packing slip is useful for the seller and the customer, while the shipping label is primarily Carrierused to transport luggage from one place to another.
Some of the information on the packing slip is the same as the information on the shipping label, such as the shipping address and delivery address, but the packing slip also contains information about the contents of your package that isn’t usually included on the shipping label.
Shipping labels also usually have a barcode that gives the shipping carrier instant information about the package.
Does the packing slip serve as a receipt?
A packing slip is different from a receipt, but it contains some of the same information. A receipt is a legal document that confirms that a customer has received goods or services in exchange for payment.
The packing slip is prepared by the seller prior to shipment and is not a confirmation that the customer has received the package.
Who sends the packing slip?
Ecommerce businesses that sell physical goods often send packing slips as part of the fulfillment process. Businesses with a high rate of returns, such as ecommerce fashion retailers, or businesses with a lot of wholesale orders, are more likely to send packing slips.
Businesses that sell products from multiple warehouses or involve multiple parties Order Fulfillment You’re more likely to send packing slips than a company that does everything in-house, but any ecommerce business can benefit from using packing slips for shipping and fulfillment.
Not all shipments require a packing slip. Use a packing slip only when it will make the shipping and returns process easier for you and your customer. There are times when a packing slip is especially useful, such as when multiple items in an order are shipped separately.
Benefits of using a packing slip
Most packages I need So why use a packing slip? There are some obvious benefits:
Reduce packaging errors
The main reason e-commerce companies use packing slips is to reduce packing and shipping errors. A printed packing slip acts as a checklist for packing an order and is especially useful for orders that include products from different warehouses or are sent in multiple shipments.
If you’re packing multiple orders at once, then the packing slip makes it easy to match up packages with shipping labels because it has your customer’s address on it.
Simplify the returns process
A packing slip gives your customers all the information they need, making returns, exchanges, and replacements easier. Product code Or you can enter the item number to begin the return process. Of course, you can also refer to your order confirmation, but printing a packing slip can make things easier for your customers, especially if you receive a large package or accidentally delete your order confirmation email.
💡More info here: How to Write a Returns Policy (+Free Template)
Improved customer service
Packing slips are an added service you can offer your customers, allowing them to quickly and easily verify that they received everything they ordered. They’re also an opportunity to add little extras like custom branding or a simple handwritten message. Letter of thanks.
“Even small elements like packing slips offer an opportunity to reinforce brand identity,” says Britt.
Ensuring safe delivery
If the shipping label is damaged, then the packing slip is useful: even if the shipping carrier can’t read the label, they can open the package and find the customer’s address, the return address, and contact information for both parties.
What to include in a packing slip
All packing slips must include the following:
- Order number and order date
- An itemized list of all your orders, including the quantities of each item, SKU numbers, UPC numbers, and part numbers
- Customer contact information (such as customer name, shipping address, billing address, phone number, and email address)
- Seller contact information (company name, return address, website, phone number, email address, etc.)
- Shipping carrier and delivery method
Depending on your order, you may also need to include the following:
- A brief description of each product
- The location of each item in the warehouse
- The weight and volume of each package, and the total weight of the packages
- Number of packages or pallets in the order
- Instructions on how to return items and what to do if there’s a problem with your order
- Customer instructions, such as requests for gift wrapping or simple packaging
How do I create my own packing slip?
With Shopify, you can: Create a packing slip from order You can create a packing slip in the page of your Shopify admin. If you can’t, don’t worry. Creating a packing slip is easy. Here’s how:
1. Choose a template
The easiest way to create a packing slip is to start with a free packing slip template that already contains all the fields you need. No need to start from scratch, download a packing slip template below, it includes instructions on how to use it and you can customize it to fit your unique business needs and requirements.
2. Customize your template
Customize the template by adding your logo, brand colors, company name, and any other information that will be the same for all your orders, such as a return address or a thank you message. You now have a custom template that you can use to create packing slips for all your future orders.
3. Fill out the template
Now that your customized template is ready, all you need to do is fill in the details of each order, such as order number, shipping address, and product list.
4. Print the packing slip
When packing your order, use the printed packing slip as a checklist and include it in the package for your customer’s reference.
Packing slip FAQs
Why do I need a packing slip?
Packing slips allow you to keep track of all your orders, ensure they’re sent to the right place, and serve as a handy reference for your customers.
What is the difference between a packing slip and a purchase order?
A purchase order is similar to a packing slip, but they are different: a purchase order is a legal document, a packing slip is not, a packing slip is created by the seller, a purchase order is created by the buyer, and a purchase order also contains details about how to pay, a packing slip does not.
What information is on the packing slip?
At a minimum, the packing slip requires a list of each item in the order, the quantities (to ensure that the correct items are in the package), and the customer’s shipping address (to match the package with a shipping label).
What is the difference between a packing slip and an invoice?
An invoice is sent to the person or business who paid for the purchase, while a packing slip is sent to the shipping address (which may be the same address). Invoices are usually sent before payment is received, both to request payment and for the buyer’s and seller’s financial records. Invoices are often used when wholesaling or providing services, and packing slips are included in both wholesale and direct-to-consumer packaging.
Do I need a packing slip for international shipments?
For international shipments, you’ll need to fill out a customs form, also known as a commercial invoice. The customs form contains much the same information as the packing slip, so it makes sense to complete them at the same time. The difference between the customs form and the packing slip is that the customs form is affixed to the outside of the package, Unified System Code.
