What is a packing slip? (and what to put on it)
A packing slip is a small paper inside the parcel listing what the buyer ordered, and a simple one with the order ID, items and a thank-you note is enough.
What a packing slip is
A packing slip is a small sheet you put inside the parcel. It lists what is in the box and who it is for. When the customer opens the parcel, they can quickly check that everything they ordered has arrived, and you have one more way to avoid mix-ups.
It is not the same as a tax invoice, which has its own purpose. If you want that difference explained, see what is a GST invoice. I am not saying a packing slip is required by any rule, and you should check requirements with a CA or the official sources. Think of it as a good habit.
What goes on it
Keep it short enough to fit in one quarter of an A4 page.
- Your brand name and a way to reach you, like a WhatsApp number.
- The order ID, matching the one the customer received.
- The customer's name.
- A list of items with quantity, and size or colour where relevant.
- A short thank-you or care note.
A simple example
Kaveri Candles Order #1042 For: Meera Items: - Jasmine soy candle, 150 g, 1 - Sandalwood soy candle, 150 g, 2
Thank you for supporting a small home business. Trim the wick before each burn for a steady flame. Questions? WhatsApp us any time.
That is all. No logos stacked on graphics and no discount banner unless you really want one.
Why it helps you
- It is a final checklist. When you pull it from your system and tick items as you pack, you catch missing items before they ship. See how to avoid sending the wrong item and pick, pack and hand over: a simple checklist.
- It helps if a customer claims something was missing, because they can compare the slip with the box.
- It makes a small brand feel organised and caring.
Making one
You do not need special software.
- Write it by hand on a small card for low volume.
- Print from a document or spreadsheet you set up once, then fill in the fields.
- Use the order details from your store admin as the source, so what you print matches what the customer ordered. If you export orders, exporting store orders to a spreadsheet can speed up printing a batch.
Print on plain paper and cut it. Fancy card stock costs more and adds weight to the parcel, which can affect shipping.
What not to put
- Do not print the customer's full phone number and address inside if the box could be seen by others. The shipping label already carries what the courier needs.
- Do not put your cost price or margin on it.
- Do not promise things in small print that you cannot deliver.
A line about returns
If your policy allows exchanges, one sentence on the slip about how to reach you saves a confused message later. Keep the details in your store policy and link to it in your note.
Where to start
Draft one slip for your most common order. Pack one parcel using it as a checklist. If it helped you notice anything, keep it, and print the rest.