A packing list is the supplier's statement of exactly what was packed into each container. It shows the number of bags or cartons, the lots, the net and gross weights and the marks, so anyone can check the cargo without opening every bag.
The commercial invoice says what you are paying for. The packing list says how it is physically packed. Customs at both ends, your forwarder, your bank under a letter of credit and your warehouse all rely on it.
What a good agri packing list shows
- Exporter and consignee names and addresses, matching the invoice and bill of lading.
- Invoice number and date, and your purchase order or contract number.
- Product description in the same words as the invoice, including grade, for example machine-cleaned or sortex-cleaned.
- Container number and seal number for each container.
- Lot or batch number for every lot, with the number of bags in each lot.
- Pack type and size, such as 25 kg PP woven bags with inner liner, or cartons.
- Net weight per bag, total net weight and total gross weight for each lot and each container.
- Shipping marks printed on the bags, and any pallet count if the goods are palletised.
- HS code, port of loading and port of discharge, if your broker asks for them on the list.
Why the details matter
Every figure on the packing list should match the invoice, the bill of lading and the certificates. A mismatch in weight or bag count is one of the most common reasons a bank rejects documents under a letter of credit. It can also trigger questions or an examination at your customs.
Lot numbers link each bag to a lab report. If a test at destination fails, the packing list tells you which bags belong to that lot and where they sit in the container. Without it, you may have to hold or test the whole shipment. Our guide on what a lot number is and how to mark it explains the marking side.
Common mistakes to watch for
- Weights copied from the proforma instead of taken from the actual loading.
- Gross weight that does not allow for the weight of the bags and liners.
- One combined total for several containers, with no per-container split.
- Lot numbers on the list that differ from those printed on the bags.
- A product name that differs slightly from the invoice or the phytosanitary certificate.
How to check it before payment
Ask the supplier for a draft packing list before the container is sealed, and compare it with the loading tally and weighbridge slip. Then check the final version against the full document set before you release the balance. Our guide to the document pack your broker will ask for lists the other papers it must agree with.
How we help
Our inspector records bag counts, lots and seal numbers at loading, so we can check the supplier's packing list against what actually went into the container. We review the whole document set before you pay. Ask for a free sourcing review if you want this on your next order.