Picking and Packing Lists with Interparcel

Speed Up Parcel Sending with Smart Picking and Packing Lists

7th March 2025, 1:01pm in Shipping Advice by Dan Jones

How do you currently pack your orders?

Do you walk around with a bulky notepad listing the products you need, manually jotting down each item in the order it must be collected?

Perhaps you print individual orders directly from your site, sifting through papers as you search for products. Many business owners develop custom picking and packing lists to streamline their fulfilment process.

Now, there’s a simpler solution.

With Interparcel’s Shipping Manager, ticking a box and selecting "Picking list" or "Packing list" is all it takes to download your documents.

In this guide, we’ll explain picking and packing lists, their benefits, and how you can easily generate them through Interparcel’s Shipping Manager.

Let’s dive in.

What Is a Picking List?

Overwhelmed by the number of orders flooding in? Worrying about how long fulfilment will take?

A picking list can provide much-needed organisation.

By creating a picking list, you compile all the products required for multiple orders before packing begins. This list typically includes:

Quantity: Total items to collect.
KU: Layout of stock-keeping units in your storage.
Description: Product details, such as name and colour.
Date: When the list was generated.

Simply gather the items from your picking list, place them at your packing station, and start preparing orders.

Why Use a Picking List?

If picking lists aren’t part of your workflow, here’s why you should reconsider:

Speeds up fulfilment, especially for bulk orders
Minimises errors by allowing you to check off products as they are collected
Enhances supply chain efficiency by keeping stock levels accurate
Lowers operational costs by reducing unnecessary handling
This simple addition to your routine can transform how you manage orders
Quicker and more accurate packing.

What Is a Packing List?

A packing list is a detailed record that accompanies shipments, outlining the contents of an order. Acting as a checklist, it helps ensure accuracy for both your fulfilment team and customers.

A standard packing list features:

Order date
Order
Customer details (name and address)
Itemised order breakdown
Product details (quantity, weight, SKU)
Business contact information

Packing lists confirm correct items and quantities, reducing shipping errors and minimising returns, while boosting customer satisfaction.

Customising Packing Lists

To enhance packing lists, consider tailoring them with useful features:

Customer Notes

Enable customer notes to capture instructions left during checkout, such as preferred couriers or delivery preferences. This ensures special requests are honoured, enhancing the buying experience.

Courier Service

Adding courier information to the packing list simplifies logistics. It allows for organised parcel sorting by courier, making handoffs smoother. Customers also benefit by knowing which service will handle their delivery.

Footer Message

A personalised footer lets you add a thank-you note or promotional message to your packing list. Customise it manually or with AI, reinforcing customer appreciation and loyalty.

Why Use a Packing List?

Packing lists aren’t just for your team – they’re valuable for customers too. Here’s why they’re essential:

Verifies order accuracy before shipping
Ensures correct items are packed for split shipments
Helps customers identify missing or damaged products
Acts as a record for businesses and customers
Facilitates customs clearance for international shipments
Keep your packing list nearby while you pack, checking off items as they go into the parcel. Leave the list inside the box for customers to double-check their order. Adding a friendly message at the bottom can leave a lasting impression.