Packing slip

A packing slip is an important commercial document, particularly in the management of goods exchanges. It makes it possible to track the shipping and delivery of products, from the issuing supplier through to receipt by the end customer, once the purchase order has been signed.

Beyond simple tracking, packing slips also transfer responsibility for the goods when the order is entrusted to a person or company along its journey.

The packing slip acts as insurance during delivery: when we talk about liability, we mean liability in the event of damage, loss, or theft of the product(s).

What is the purpose of a packing slip? This document, linked to the invoice, enables the sender of the shipment to certify that the items have been dispatched and, above all, to demand payment from the recipient. This protects the sender in the event of non-payment. Once delivery has been accepted, the consignee cannot back out: they must pay for what has been delivered.

A good packing slip template will include a list of all the information required to identify the company, the description (technical details, price) and quantity of the products delivered, the date of delivery, and possibly a section for the recipient's signature.

A packing slip can be in paper or digital format. In paper format, it’s advisable to duplicate the packing slip in three copies: one for the recipient, one for the delivery person, and one for the issuing company, which should be kept in its archives for at least 10 years.

Online, it’s often sent by email. As part of a successful email marketing campaign, once the packing slip has been sent, it can be followed by a message enabling the customer to rate the brand, the product, and the delivery, but also to discover other similar products, at the same price or more expensive (upselling) or complementary to their previous order (cross-selling).

A packing slip can also be accompanied by a section enabling customers to write comments and suggestions about products and services (nothing to report, deterioration, missing or non-compliant products, late delivery, etc.).

A packing slip is indispensable proof for all parties involved in the delivery of a product. It legally protects and attests to the conformity of the delivery. For the brand, it provides reassurance in its relationship with the customer and helps prove the good faith of its business.