Could net weight and gross weight be the same on the packing list?

Net weight and gross weight are two important international trade terms, which are frequently used on bills of lading and packing lists.

Generally gross weight and net weight are showing different values on the packing list.

But in some instances exporters state the same value to both net and gross weight on the packing lists.

Today I will try to explain whether gross weight and net weight could state the same figure on the packing list.

What are the differences between weight list and packing list?

Weight list is a commercial document, which is used in international trade in order to give detailed information about the weight of the order.

Packing list is a commercial document, which is used in international trade in order to give detailed information in regards to packing of the order.

Packing list is one of the most requested international trade documents. 

In some cases importers demand a weight list along with the packing list.

On this article, I will be explaining the differences between these two documents?


Should commercial invoice and packing list show the same issuance date?

Exporters create packing list and commercial invoice on the same day for a regular international trade transaction.

But in some occasions one of the documents may need to be created earlier than the other.

For example, certified invoices or legalized invoices may have to be created earlier than the packing list, as certification and legalization process takes quite a long time.

Especially if the selected payment method is letter of credit, exporters frequently ask a common question in regards to the dates of the packing lists and commercial invoices.

Should commercial invoice and packing list show the same issuance date under letter of credit rules?



What sort of information should not be mentioned on a packing list?

So far on my website, I have written following articles about the packing lists: "How to create an export packing list?" and "Should the container number be mentioned on the packing list?"

I suppose I will be keep writing in different aspects of the packing list, as it is a very important export and import document.

Today I would like to explain you what kind of information should not be covered under the packing list and why.

What sort of information should not be mentioned on a packing list?

Packing list is not a financial document. 

It is used by logistics personnel, who should have no connection with the financial information about the goods.

Additionally, sometimes packing list may be delivered to the final customer as is, without checked by the importer, who is the intermediary company between the exporter and the final buyer. 


How to create an export packing list?

A packing list is a trade document that identifies details about the contents of a package.

A packing list is especially helpful in international trade transactions for confirming the number of items during the transportation stages.

Packing list is a shipping document, which is widely used in export and import transactions.

Combined with the commercial invoice, certificate of origin and transport documents, packing list is one of the core documents that needs to be created in an international trade operation.


Should the container number be mentioned on the packing list?

Transporting goods by sea in containers plays a very significant role in international trade. 

In the past 60 years, containers have become the primary means of transport of customer goods by sea. 

At the moment millions of containers circulated around the world every year. 

Tracking and tracing these containers is one of the most important security priorities of the custom authorities. 

Development of a standard container number system was a huge response to tackle the container tracking problem in international trade. 


With the help of the globally valid and standard container number, every share holder could trace and identify them fast.

Container tracking system will be most effective when the container number is mentioned on the shipping documents.

Container number is generally inserted on the bill of lading by carriers or their agents on behalf of the carriers as a standard sector practice.

In most instances shippers also add container numbers on the packing list as well. But is this a requirement, a good practice or unnecessary information. 

Let us discuss below.