Packing Slip vs Invoice: Key Differences, Examples & When to Use

A well-executed strategy is essential to achieving market preeminence. Packing slips and invoices play pivotal roles in order fulfillment. But, people often confuse one with the other.

But is a packing slip the same as an invoice?

No. While these shipping and billing documents are similar in content, they have very different purposes in the order fulfillment process.

An invoice is a legal billing document for both parties. A packing slip is a shipping list that helps verify the packaged products. Understanding the difference between an invoice and a packing list is critical for any eCommerce business.

It is vital to know the importance and difference between the packing slip and the invoice. This accelerates your order completion process, ensures accurate record-keeping, and keeps your accounting classification in order.

This article will discuss WooCommerce packing slips and invoices. We will also cover their benefits, the packing slip vs invoice common differences, and related documents like bills of lading and shipping labels in detail.

So, let’s get started.

What is a packing slip?

A packing slip is a printed shipping document where you mention the complete list of items included in your package and attach it to the shipping box. In simple terms, the packing slip refers to a detailed order slip that travels with your shipment.

This packing list contains some additional important details, such as your company’s address and the customer’s address, invoice number, purchase order number, etc.

Though it is a very crucial part of your shipping process, packing slips don’t include any legal documents or pricing information.

Here’s an example of a WooCommerce printed packing slip made with the Challan plugin –

So, is a packing slip proof of purchase?

Yes, absolutely. When a customer receives a package, the packing slip confirms what products are wrapped in the box. So, they can use this as a backup to verify from the delivery slip whether they have received everything they ordered or not.

Again, packing slips are equally important for you as a WooCommerce owner. If you have a separate shipping department, they can use the order slip to accurately pack and ship the products for that particular order.

What is the purpose of a packing slip?

Do you ever feel a print packing slip is unnecessary for your WooCommerce business? Well, you need to think twice, and below, we will explain how a packing slip helps you with your entire sales management.

Shipment integrity

If you have a separate packaging and shipping department, you can send them the packing slip so they know which products to pick from the inventory for that specific order.

Again, in order for you to keep the quality of your services at a consistent level, it is essential for you to verify the integrity of an order before sending out a shipment. Comparing the shipment directly against the shipping invoice and packing list helps prevent costly errors.

Track all items in the order

If an order is large or contains a wide variety of SKUs from different warehouses, it may require multiple shippings. That means you need to ship items of a single order in different boxes.

A packing slip can help immensely in such situations. Because the order slip documents the quantity of items as well as their location within an order. Each packing slip number corresponds to a specific shipment, making it easy to track multi-box orders.

Customer satisfaction

When you include a packing slip inside the package, your customers can check and verify if they have received everything they ordered.

So, if any of the items don’t match or go missing, then your customers can use the packaging slip to contact you about solving the issue by refunding or reshipping.

And, that’s how a packing list can help you increase your customer’s satisfaction.

Ensure quick delivery

Generally, packing slips are placed inside the box, and shipping labels are attached outside the box.

So, even if the delivery label is damaged or lost somehow, the deliveryman can still send the package using the inside order slip.

Therefore, you won’t have to deal with repackaging, refunding, or shipment delays.

Brand building

Just like personalized invoices, a custom packing slip can also play as a marketing tool.

You can include brand elements such as logo, tag line, color pallets, etc., to customize your packing slip and show off your brand’s professionalism.

Bonus Tip:

If you have to handle a lot of WooCommerce orders on a regular basis, you should use third-party plugins for your package slips. The main benefits of these packing slip plugins are that they automatically create and send them based on order status.

In this case, Challan plugin is one of the best options to further customize your document to impress your audience.

What information is included on a packing slip?

Generally, the list of items on a packing slip can vary based on the type of business and product. However, most professional WooCommerce packing lists contain the following:

Elements of a packing slip:

• Customer’s shipping and billing address
• Your company/warehouse address
• Packing slip number
• Order number
• Order date
• List of products
• Product’s SKU
• Quantity of each item
• Product weight and dimension
• Total items

Do all packages need a packing slip?

Not all packages require a packing slip. However, it’s generally recommended to include one, especially for eCommerce and business shipments.

A packing slip is particularly needed for orders with multiple items, as it helps prevent errors and disputes by clearly listing everything that was shipped.
On the other hand, for orders such as digital products or simple, single-item shipping, this packing list may not be necessary.

Again, some companies choose paperless or digital order confirmations instead. Ultimately, the decision to include a packing slip depends on the nature of your shipping options and your company’s standard policies.

Does the packing slip go inside the box?

Yes, the packing slip goes inside the shipping box along with the products. This is the industry-standard practice for eCommerce and business shipments.

When packing your order, simply place the printed packing slip on top of the items before sealing the box. The purpose is so that your customer — or the receiving warehouse — can immediately verify the contents upon opening.

Some sellers also place a copy in a clear adhesive pouch attached to the outside of the box, right next to the shipping label. However, the most common approach is to include it inside the package.

Don’t confuse the packing slip with the shipping label. The shipping label is always attached to the outside of the box for the carrier. The packing slip is tucked inside for the recipient.

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Packing slip vs packing list – Are they the same?

Many people wonder whether a packing slip and a packing list are the same thing. In practice, the terms “packing slip” and “packing list” are used interchangeably. Both refer to the document inside a shipment that lists all the items in the package.

However, there can be a subtle difference depending on the context:

A packing slip is typically a simpler document included in consumer eCommerce orders. It lists product names, quantities, and SKUs for the buyer to verify their order.

A packing list, on the other hand, is sometimes used in international trade and freight shipping. In this context, a packing list may contain more detailed information such as gross and net weights, package dimensions, carton numbers, and Harmonized System (HS) codes for customs clearance.

So, if you’re shipping domestic eCommerce orders, a packing slip and a packing list mean the same thing. But for international shipments, a packing list tends to be more detailed and is often a required customs document alongside the commercial invoice.

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Packing slip vs shipping label – What’s the difference?

The difference between a packing slip and a shipping label is straightforward, yet these two documents often get confused.

A shipping label is attached to the outside of the package. It contains the carrier information, tracking barcode, sender address, and delivery address. The shipping label is meant for the courier or postal service to route and deliver the parcel.

A packing slip is placed inside the package. It lists what products are in the box, along with quantities, SKUs, and order details. The packing slip is meant for the customer or the receiving warehouse to verify the shipment contents.

In short, the shipping label tells the carrier where the package is going. The packing slip tells the customer what is inside.

Both documents are essential to a smooth shipping process. The shipping label ensures proper delivery, and the packing slip helps with order verification and reduces return disputes.

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What is the difference between BoL and packing slip?

A Bill of Lading (BoL) and a packing slip have different purposes, and this is one of the most commonly searched comparisons in the shipping industry.

A BoL is a legal document between the shipper and the carrier. It acts as a receipt for the goods, a contract of carriage, and a document of title. The Bill of Lading focuses on the shipment terms, carrier liability, and transportation details. It is particularly important in freight, international trade, and logistics.

In contrast, a packing slip is included with the shipping pouch and lists the items in the package. It helps the recipient verify that they’ve received everything they ordered. Unlike the BoL, a packing slip carries no legal weight regarding transportation terms.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the bill of lading vs packing slip:

• BoL: Legal document, used between shipper and carrier, covers transportation terms and carrier liability.
• Packing slip: Shipping document, used between seller and buyer, covers order contents and product details.

If you’re involved in large-scale freight or international shipping, you’ll need both a BoL and a packing slip. For standard eCommerce orders shipped via parcel carriers like UPS, FedEx, or USPS, a packing slip with a shipping label is typically sufficient.

Picking slip vs packing slip

A picking slip and a packing slip serve different stages of the order fulfillment process.

A picking slip (also called a pick ticket or pick list) is an internal warehouse document. It tells warehouse staff which items to pull from the shelves for a particular order. It typically includes the product name, SKU, warehouse location (bin or aisle), and quantity needed.

A packing slip, on the other hand, is an external customer-facing document. It lists the items being shipped and is placed inside the package for the buyer.

The picking slip is used before the items are packed. The packing slip is included with the shipment. Think of the picking slip as the instruction for the warehouse team, and the packing slip as the confirmation for the customer.

Are packing slips required by law?

No, packing slips are generally not required by law for domestic shipments. There is no federal regulation in most countries that mandates including a packing slip with every package.

However, packing slips are considered a best practice in eCommerce and business shipping for several reasons: they help prevent shipping errors, speed up returns processing, and improve customer satisfaction.

For international shipments, the situation is different. While a packing slip itself may not be legally required, a commercial invoice and, in many cases, a detailed packing list are mandatory for customs clearance. Without these documents, your shipment can be held, delayed, or returned at the border.

Some B2B contracts or purchase orders also require a packing slip to be included as part of the order fulfillment terms. So, while not a universal legal requirement, it’s always a good idea to include one.

What is an invoice?

An invoice is a billing document you create in order to receive payments or submit as proof of the transactions made by the client/customer.

For WooCommerce stores, customers generally pay in advance. But still, an invoice serves as a financial document to keep records and also works as legal proof of a purchase order.

And, these online invoices are known as electronic invoices and come in PDF format.

Example of an invoice:

What is a package invoice?

A package invoice — sometimes called a packaging invoice or parcel invoice — is simply the billing document included with or sent alongside a shipped package. It serves the same purpose as a standard sales invoice but is specifically associated with a physical shipment.

The package invoice contains the buyer’s and seller’s information, product details, pricing, tax amounts, payment method, and payment terms. It tells the recipient exactly what they purchased and how much they paid.

For online orders, the package invoice is typically emailed as a PDF when the order is confirmed. In some cases, a printed copy is attached to the shipping box or enclosed inside the package.

Don’t confuse a package invoice with a packing slip. The invoice is a billing and financial document. The packing slip is a shipping list. They often travel together, but they serve entirely different purposes.

Why do you need invoices?

Even though you don’t have to generate invoices for customer orders to get paid through WooCommerce stores, there are still a number of benefits to an invoice for being issued.

Let’s find out some of the benefits.

Keeping records

The first and foremost purpose of a WooCommerce invoice is to help keep records. If you are doing a B2B model business and selling to medium to large companies, then they will always ask for an invoice or waybill for their record keeping.

Even if you are selling to individual customers, they will also want an printed invoice keep a legal record of your sales transactions.

Maintaining a level of professionalism

A professional invoice can have a significant impact on your customers. Even if you run a small WooCommerce shop, sending your customers an invoice can set you apart from the competition and gain your customers’ trust.

In fact, an invoice is a major part of your customer’s shopping experience, so you should not ignore it by any means.

Showcases your brand and serves as a marketing tool

In WooCommerce, you can create custom billing templates or invoice templates and include promotional elements such as a business logo, upsell product links, etc.

A personalized WooCommerce invoice always has the upper hand to impress customers and overall grow your brand reputation.

Easy tax filing

As the owner of a WooCommerce business, it is essential for you to keep a record of sales invoices for tax purposes. Again, in order to accurately report your income and guarantee the payment of appropriate taxes.

And invoices are an important part of the paper trail when it comes to GST and income tax, especially when tax returns are filed. 

Legal protection

An invoice serves as a legally binding record of an agreement between you and your customers to protect you from the possibility of being sued for fraud.

So, if there is a disagreement or discrepancy regarding a particular customer order, the elements of the invoice can be used as proof of record against such disputes.

Payment tracking

An invoice is a crucial accounting tool that is often overlooked. Keeping accurate records of payments is beneficial for both buyers and sellers. As a result, you’ll be able to see where you stand in terms of finances.

Get paid on time

If you provide your products or services on a contractual basis, then invoices can come in mighty handy. It’ll save you from chasing your clients for the payments.

To expedite the buyer’s invoice payment process, your invoice contains essential information such as the due date for payment, the method of payment, information about the seller, etc.

What information is included on an sales invoice?

The WooCommerce invoice you create won’t serve you the benefits we mentioned above unless you include all the essential elements.

So, let’s describe the crucial components of a typical invoice you must include:

• Company logo
• Company information
• Customer’s information
• Invoice number
• Sequential order number
• Date
• Payment method
• Products purchased
• Price and quantity
• Tax information
• Subtotal and Total amount charged
• Terms & conditions
• Personal notes

Can you ship without an invoice?

No, as the invoice is a legal document and it includes all the details, especially pricing, other payment terms, and even tax. Without this document, customs clearance might be delayed or even declined. 

And this can lead to additional storage fees, returned shipments, or legal issues. 

So, not just the purchased products, even samples of low value require a commercial invoice.

Can I use an invoice for returns?

Generally, no, you cannot directly use an invoice for returns.

While an invoice is a record of a sale, it doesn’t include a return authorization. If you want to return your products, you should have a credit memo or merchandise return authorization (RMA).

Again, some businesses use a specific “return invoice” to document the returned goods.

Order confirmation vs invoice – What’s the difference?

An order confirmation and an invoice are two separate documents in the sales process, even though they sometimes contain overlapping information.

An order confirmation is sent to the customer immediately after they place an order. It confirms that the order has been received and accepted. It typically includes the order number, product list, estimated delivery date, and the total amount. Think of it as an acknowledgment — “Yes, we got your order.”

An invoice, on the other hand, is a formal billing document. It serves as a legal request for payment and includes detailed pricing, tax breakdowns, payment terms, and due dates. The invoice is used for accounting, tax filing, and financial record-keeping.

In WooCommerce, the order confirmation email is usually triggered automatically when a customer completes checkout. The invoice is generated separately — either at the time of order or upon shipment — and is attached to the email or available for download.

So, an order confirmation tells your customer their order was placed successfully. An invoice tells them exactly what they owe and serves as a legal proof of purchase.

What’s the difference between an invoice and a commercial invoice?

An invoice is a formal document that outlines all sales details and requests to accept payments. It is typically issued after the delivery of a product or service.

On the other hand, a commercial invoice is a specialized version that is basically used for international shipments. This invoice provides additional details like origin, weight, and delivery date for customs clearance.

Packing slip vs invoice | 9 key Differences

Packing slips and invoices are essential documents in the order fulfillment process, but they have distinct goals for the operational efficiency of the entire shipment.

In this section, we will talk about packing slip vs invoice in detail, and at the end of our discussion, we will include a comparison table for you to understand them well.

Packing slip vs invoice – Document category & type

A packing slip is a shipping document. You must create it only after the order has been confirmed. It’s basically a shipping list to help you include the items for the purchased orders.

In addition to that, this document tells your customers what products are included in the package.

In contrast, an invoice is a billing document. It can be created before or after a transaction takes place.

You can create an invoice to ask the client for payment or submit it as proof of payment. It primarily serves as a sales receipt for record-keeping and resolving legal compliance.

Packing slip vs invoice – Template file format 

A packing slip must be a printed document that needs to be attached to the shipped package. So, this packaging slip is often created as simple text documents (like .txt, .doc or .csv) for quick generation and printing. 

However, PDF format is becoming increasingly common for sharing digital packing slips to effectively manage the order processing systems. 

If we talk about invoice format, it’s generally sent virtually to the customers. So, the popular formats for invoices include CSV, PDF, and specialized accounting software layout. 

However, online stores generally create or even use invoice templates in PDF format and attach them to emails. You can also print it out if the receiving company or customer requires you to submit it in printed format.

Packing slip vs invoice – usage in order fulfillment

The selling scopes a WooCommerce platform offers to business owners are endless. Moreover, you can sell a single product or multiple products or have a WooCommerce membership website where you can sell monthly subscriptions/packages or even sell online courses.

No matter what you sell in your WooCommerce store or what type of products (physical/virtual) and services you sell, you need to create an invoice for every order you receive.

And, as we have mentioned before, you can create WooCommerce invoices before or after a customer pays for the orders.

On the other hand, you can only need packing slips when there are some physical products involved. You need to create packing slips in order to let your customers know what products they should expect in the shipping box.

You don’t need packing slips if you are selling virtual products.

Packing slip vs invoice – Sender and receiver

You, as the seller, are responsible for sending both the packing slip and invoice. However, to whom you send these documents can vary depending on customer types.

If you are selling to a company, you need to send the invoice to the accounts department and the delivery slip to their inventory department.

Also, if you have a separate packaging department, then you need to forward a copy of the packing list to them first. Once they get it, it’ll be easier to arrange all the products according to the packing list and finally ship them to your customers.

If your customer is buying the product for someone else or wants someone else to receive the products from a different location, then they will receive the invoice, and the receiving person will get this order slip.

Packing slip vs invoice – Contents in receipt

The packing slip and invoice have some common contents or elements inside them. 

For example, both the invoice and packing slip have your shipping company/warehouse address, the customer’s billing and shipping address, product list, product’s SKU, invoice and order number, order date, etc.

However, a packing list doesn’t need to have price summaries such as payment method, tax amount, sub-total, and total price. Packing slips also don’t contain added components such as customized footers, signatures, paid stamps, etc.

On the other hand, an invoice doesn’t need to include product weight and dimensions. It mainly tells you what you bought, how much it costs, and any taxes you need to pay with the proper shipping details.

Packing slip vs invoice – How it works

Now we will show you when you need to create a WooCommerce invoice and when you will need a packing slip with a practical example.

Suppose you have a customer named Mikael Edington, and he has decided to buy some products from your WooCommerce store.

Here’s how the process works –

1. Mikael adds some products to your WooCommerce store’s cart and jumps to the checkout page to complete the order.

2. Mikael completes the order by filling in all the details and paying using one of your payment methods.

3. The payment platform will verify the payment and notify your WooCommerce system that the transaction was successful.

4. As soon as you receive confirmation from the payment gateway provider, you need to create an invoice and attach it to the order confirmation email that Mikael will receive.

5. After sending the invoice, you must start the order fulfillment process. You need to create a packing slip and send it to your warehouse/shipping department if you have any.

If you do the packaging yourself, you still will need the packing slip to organize the products Mikael ordered and put the order list paper with the products inside the parcel.

6. Suppose Mikael has bought the products for his friend Flora and wants you to ship them to Flora’s house. In that case, you need to send the package to Flora with the order slip inside. However, Flora won’t receive the invoice; Mikael will.

What happens if Mikael represents his company ‘Ceresco’ and wants you to send the products to the company’s warehouse?

If you are dealing with regular eCommerce orders and accepting payment in advance, then Mikael will receive the invoice, and the warehouse will receive the products along with the delivery slip.

However, in case you are sending a Pro-forma invoice, then you need to send the invoice to the accounting department of Ceresco. And send the products to their preferred location along with the packing slip.

Packing Slip vs Invoice – Legal Implications

While both documents are important, the invoice is the one with the legal punch. It’s the official document that says, “I sold you this stuff for this much money.” If there’s a dispute about the sale, the invoice is your proof. It’s essential for taxes, returns, and any legal issues that might arise.

However, a packing slip is more like a shipping list. It just tells you what’s in the box. It’s helpful for checking if everything arrived, but it doesn’t have the same legal weight as an invoice. 

So, if you have a problem with the sale price or terms, the packing slip won’t help you much.

Packing slip vs invoice – Visual comparison

We will now take a look at the invoice and packing slip we created for Mikael Edington. We used the Challan plugin to create both the order slip and invoice.

Here’s the personalized invoice for Mikael Edington.

And this is the packing slip for that exact order.

The header section, which includes your address, Mikael’s addresses, invoice and order number, date, etc., of both the packaging slip and invoice, looks similar.

However, the main differences are in the body, including the product item table and the footer section.

The WooCommerce invoice product item table includes individual prices, subtotal and tax costs, and tax percentages for the products. It also has a price summary section and footer with custom notes, a paid stamp.

The invoice doesn’t have product weight and dimensions.

The packing slip, on the other hand, doesn’t need price and tax information. Therefore, it only has weight and dimensions for the products.

The packing slip doesn’t necessarily need any paid stamps or custom notes, which is why this document has no footer.

Packing slip vs invoice – Comparison table

Let’s have a look at what we have learned about packing slip vs Invoice in a nutshell.

Content	Invoice	Packing slip
Document category	Billing document	Shipping document
Document type	Can be both downloadable pdf and printed	Must be printed
Product type	Can be both virtual and physical	Must be physical
Triggers	The payment platform triggers invoice creation	Shipping/order fulfillment technology triggers delivery slip creation
Time of creation	Can be created before or after payment/order confirmation	Must be created after order/payment confirmation
Document use case	Serves as a financial document	Serves as a shipping list document
Price summary	Must include subtotal and total prices	Doesn’t require e price summary
Tax information	Required	Not required
Product weight and dimensions	Not required	Required
Total items quantity	Not required	Required
Personalization	Highly customizable	Limited customization
Recipient	The customer who pays	Who receives the package
Company’s recipient	The accounts department	The warehouse
Confirmation	Confirms that an order has been placed successfully.	Confirms all products of that order are present in the package.
Refund issue	Required to issue a refund	Not required

Sales invoice vs packing slip – Accounting classification

From an accounting perspective, the sales invoice and packing slip fall under entirely different document classifications.

A sales invoice is classified as a financial or accounting document. It is recorded in the accounts receivable ledger and serves as the basis for revenue recognition. The invoice triggers the accounting entry for the sale — debiting accounts receivable and crediting sales revenue. It is essential for tax reporting, GST/VAT compliance, income tracking, and audit trails.

A packing slip, on the other hand, is classified as an operational or logistics document. It does not appear in any accounting ledger. The packing slip has no bearing on revenue recognition, tax calculation, or financial reporting. Its sole purpose is to support the physical fulfillment of the order.

This distinction matters for businesses that need to maintain proper document classification for compliance audits, ERP systems, and accounting software integrations. If your accounting system requires you to categorize documents, always classify invoices under financial records and packing slips under shipping or operational records.

Difference between payslip and invoice

This is a common point of confusion, especially for freelancers and small business owners. While both a payslip and an invoice deal with payments, they serve very different purposes.

A payslip (also called a pay slip or pay stub) is a document provided by an employer to an employee. It details the employee’s earnings, tax deductions, benefits, and net pay for a specific pay period. Payslips are part of payroll management and are used for personal financial records.

An invoice, on the other hand, is a document sent by a seller (or contractor) to a buyer (or client) requesting payment for goods or services delivered. Invoices are part of the sales and billing cycle.

In short:

• Payslip = employer → employee (salary record)
• Invoice = seller → buyer (payment request)

A freelancer who issues invoices to clients is not the same as receiving a payslip from an employer. If you’re a business owner paying contractors, you receive invoices from them — not payslips.

When do I need a packing slip and when do I need an invoice?

Packaging slips and invoice often get mixed up, nd many people think they’re interchangable. So, let’s clear up the confusion when do you need a packing slip and when do you need a invoice.

You’ll need a packing slip when:

• You’re sending multiple items in a single shipment.
• You want to reduce shipping errors for proper inventory management.
• Your customer requires a detailed list of what’s in the package with the proper dimension or size.

You’ll need an invoice when:

• You’re requesting payment from your customer.
• You need to provide proof of purchase for the buyer.
• You want to document the transaction for accounting purposes.

Can a packing slip be used as an invoice?

No. A packing slip only shows what was shipped, not how much it costs or when payment is due. So, this order slip can never be used as an invoice in shipping.

When to use a packing slip instead of an invoice?

A packing slip includes the packaging details, whereas an invoice includes the  payment details. So, these two can never be replaced by each other. 

However, in certain situations where your product matters more than it’s price, like sending gifts or in the case of physical shopping, sometimes the invoice can be skipped.

Is a commercial invoice a packing slip?

No, a commercial invoice is a special type of invoice used for international shipments. It contains extra information required by customs authorities, like product descriptions, values, and weights. But, it’s still an invoice, not a packing slip.

So, remember, packing slips are for shipping, and invoices are for billing. You always need to send them separately for smooth order processing.

How to create packing slip and invoice in WooCommerce?

WooCommerce stores generally sell their products internationally, and you can receive an order any time of the day or night. And busy WooCommerce stores receive orders in bulk numbers every day.

Therefore, it’s not a viable option for you to create invoices manually, one by one. You need to automate this process.

Even though the default WooCommerce system doesn’t offer invoice and packing slip creation, a number of plugins are available for you to do the work.

One such automated solution for managing delivery slips and invoices is the Woocommerce invoice & packing slip generator-Challan. It is available for free in the WordPress repository, and the great news is that it can create both packing slips and invoices and even delivery notes for your orders.

Challan helps you automate the whole process of invoice creation. As soon as a customer completes an order, the plugin automatically creates an invoice for that purchased order and attaches it to the order confirmation email.

In addition to that, you can download invoices, packing slips, and shipping labels from individual order pages.

Challan also has a paid version called Challan pro with added features.

The most excellent feature of Challan pro is it lets you customize your packing slip and an invoice extensively. 

You can also create custom billing templates by adding custom meta fields such as a paid stamp, thank you emails, a custom footer, an authorized sign, etc.

Again, Challan Pro offers an array of custom templates for you to personalize the appearance of your invoices. You can also add a background image for your packing slip and invoice template.

Overall, if you are running a WooCommerce store, then Challan is the best solution to create and send packing slips and invoices.

Key features of Challan:

• Easy-to-use user interface.
• It enables you to create invoices, packing slips, shipping labels, and credit notes.
• It automatically attaches invoices and even packing slips to the order confirmation emails or to your chosen emails.
• You can customize WooCommerce email templates to directly forward the packing slip to your shipping department.
• Allows you to extensively customize packing slips and invoices with CSS and background images.
• Supports adding custom fields such as product and order meta data.
• Offers a range of premade template layouts for invoices.
• Supports adding product attributes such as SKU, category, description, etc., to the packing slip and invoice.
• Allows you to attach static files such as terms & conditions documents.

But, how do I create a packing slip?

Well, creating a packaging slip using Challan is way simpler than you think. It includes only 3 steps:

Step 1: Install Challan from your WordPress dashboard.

Step 2: Once you activate the plugin, simply go to Challan >> Settings >> Packing Slip. Then you’ll find all the configuration options to create a customized packing slip.

Bonus Tip:

Still struggling to set up the packing slips with the suitable parameters? 

Then there is a great news for you. Challan provides you pre-made packing slip templates to create one. 

Step 3: Now, just hit on save changes and your packing slip is ready to download and print.

So simple, right?

Now, how do you create an invoice?

Challan gives you a 3-in-1 package for creating packing slips, invoices, and even delivery slips. So you can easily create an invoice for your customers.

Step 1: If you’ve already installed Challan, simply go to Challan >> Settings >> Invoices.

Step 2: Still, you can configure the invoice settings from there. However, Challan gives you six built-in professional invoice pdf templates to make the creation a breeze. Just select one and include the necessary details.

Step 3: Finally, save the changes and send the e-invoice to your customer via email. Again, you can automate the mailing process by pre-selecting the order status.

Step 4: You can also download the invoice easily to keep track of your accounts management.

FAQs:

Conclusion:

Both the packing slip and the invoice have remarkable importance in the order fulfillment process. These documents — along with related shipping paperwork like bills of lading, shipping labels, and delivery notes — help you stay organized and show your professionalism.

Understanding the difference between a packing slip and an invoice is essential whether you’re running a small WooCommerce shop or a large-scale eCommerce business. The invoice handles billing, legal compliance, and financial records. The packing slip ensures accurate shipping and customer satisfaction.

And if you use automated plugins like Challan, it’ll not only instantly create these documents, but you also don’t have to worry about any errors or mismanagement.

We hope this article on packing slip vs invoice helps you understand the importance and difference between them.