Delivery Note vs Packing Slip: What's the Difference?
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Create Free Delivery NoteA delivery note and a packing slip are the same document under two different names: a list of items and quantities that ships with an order, with no prices and usually a line for the recipient to sign. "Delivery note" is more common in the UK and South Africa, while "packing slip" is the term used more in the US and Canada, but the content and purpose don't change based on which word you use. Pick one term for your own business and use it consistently rather than switching between the two.
Key takeaways
- In practice, "delivery note" and "packing slip" describe the same document: a list of items shipped, without prices.
- The terminology split is mostly regional: "delivery note" is more common in the UK and parts of Europe, "packing slip" more common in the US.
- Whichever term you use, the content is the same: item, quantity, and a place to confirm the delivery is complete.
- Pick one term and use it consistently across your own documents, so clients and staff aren't guessing whether the two mean different things.
Same Document, Different Regions
A delivery note and a packing slip are, in practice, the same thing: a list of what's inside a shipment, with quantities, no pricing, and usually a line for the recipient to sign confirming everything arrived. The difference is almost entirely regional naming convention rather than any real distinction in content.
Where Each Term Is More Common
| Term | More common in | What it contains |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery note | UK, parts of Europe, South Africa | Items, quantities, recipient sign-off |
| Packing slip | United States, Canada | Items, quantities, recipient sign-off |
If you ship to clients across regions, don't worry about picking the "correct" term. Both are understood everywhere in practice. What matters more is that the document itself is complete and consistent every time you send one.
What to Include Either Way
- Your business name and the recipient's delivery address.
- A unique reference number for the shipment.
- Each item and quantity included, without pricing.
- Space for the recipient to sign or note any discrepancy.
A free delivery note generator that produces the same clean format regardless of what you call it saves you from maintaining two near-identical templates for what is, functionally, one document.
Frequently asked questions
Is there any legal difference between the two terms?
No. Neither term has a distinct legal meaning. What matters legally is the content of the document, not which label you put on it.
Should I use both terms on the same document?
It's fine to write "Delivery Note / Packing Slip" if you ship internationally, but picking one term for your own branding is simpler.
Do either of these documents include tracking numbers?
Many businesses add a courier tracking number as an optional field, though it isn't a required part of either document.
Can a delivery note or packing slip be digital?
Yes, a PDF delivery note works the same as a printed one for confirmation purposes, provided the recipient can still sign or acknowledge it.
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