What Is a Packing Slip? A UK Ecommerce Guide

A packing slip is a simple document that lists the items included in a parcel. For UK online sellers, it can act as a final picking check and help customers confirm that an order is complete. It is different from the shipping label on the outside of the parcel, and it is not a substitute for an invoice or any required customs paperwork.

What is a packing slip?

A packing slip (often called a delivery note in the UK) is an itemised record of what is physically included in a shipment. It normally travels inside the parcel. The warehouse or seller uses it to check the order before sealing the package, while the recipient can use it to check the contents after delivery.

Packing slip vs shipping label vs invoice

• Packing slip: lists the contents and quantities in the parcel. It is primarily for order checking.
• Shipping label: goes on the outside and gives the carrier the routing and barcode information needed to move the parcel.
• Invoice: records the financial transaction, such as prices, tax and totals. A packing slip generally does not need to show prices.

Keep the documents separate so customers do not mistake a contents checklist for proof of payment. For more on label formats, see our guide to choosing a shipping label size.

What should a packing slip include?

There is no single layout that suits every shop, but a useful slip usually includes:

• Order number and order date
• Recipient name and delivery address, where useful for matching parcels to orders
• Product names or clear item descriptions
• SKU or product code, if your team uses them
• Quantity of each item included in this parcel
• A space for a packer to mark or initial checked items
• A short customer-service or returns contact detail, if appropriate

Only list what is actually in that parcel. If one order is split into multiple packages, create a separate slip for each parcel and identify which items are included in each one.

How to use a packing slip at the packing bench

1. Pick against the order. Gather the products and compare each item and quantity with the slip.
2. Check variants carefully. Confirm size, colour, model or other options, especially when product names look similar.
3. Mark each line as packed. Use a tick or initials only after the item is physically placed with the order.
4. Check the parcel count. For split shipments, make sure each package has its own accurate contents record.
5. Place the slip inside. Keep it away from liquids, sharp edges or any area where it could be damaged. Then close and label the parcel.

A slip is a check, not a replacement for careful packing. If you are sending delicate products, use suitable protection and follow a consistent packing method. Our fragile-item packing guide covers the protective steps.

Do you need to put a packing slip in every parcel?

Not necessarily. It is most useful when orders contain several items, when products are picked by different team members, or when you need a paper checklist at the bench. For a simple single-item order, your digital order record may already provide enough information for your process. Decide based on whether the slip reduces errors or makes receiving and support easier, rather than printing one automatically without a clear purpose.

Common packing slip mistakes

• Showing the full order when only part shipped: the customer may think items are missing. Show the contents of that specific parcel.
• Using internal codes alone: add a recognisable product description so the recipient can understand the list.
• Including prices unintentionally: review the template, especially for gifts or orders fulfilled on behalf of another seller.
• Putting the slip outside without protection: loose paperwork can be lost or damaged. Use an appropriate document pouch if it must be attached externally.
• Failing to update the template: when your fulfilment process changes, check that the slip still reflects split shipments, bundles and product variants.

A quick pre-dispatch checklist

Before sealing the parcel, confirm that the items and quantities match the order, any split-shipment details are clear, the packing slip is accurate, and the external shipping label is readable and securely attached. Keep the slip and label doing their separate jobs: one confirms the contents, the other helps the parcel reach its destination.