PL (Packing List)
A shipping document that details how goods are packed, including package count, contents, weights and dimensions for each carton, crate or pallet.
TL;DR: A Packing List describes how a shipment is packed. It shows what is in each package, how many packages there are, and their weights and dimensions.
The Packing List, or PL, travels with the Commercial Invoice but does not show prices. Its purpose is physical. It usually lists package numbers, the contents of each carton or crate, quantity per package, net and gross weight, dimensions, total volume in CBM, and the shipping marks printed on the outside.
Freight forwarders use the Packing List to book space and plan loading. Customs officers use it to pick packages for inspection and to check that the cargo matches the Commercial Invoice. At the destination, the buyer or warehouse uses it to confirm that every package has arrived.
The totals must agree across documents. The number of packages, gross weight, and volume on the Packing List should match the Commercial Invoice and the Bill of Lading. Mismatches are a common reason for customs questions and delays.
For heavy, fragile goods such as mosaic tile sheets, ask your supplier to list which cartons sit on which pallet or wooden crate. It helps the job site find the right design panels quickly. For a custom mural shipped in many sections, a packing list that maps crate numbers to mural sections makes installation much easier. See also Gross Weight and Net Weight, Shipping Marks, and Palletizing and Crating.