Packing list

A packing list itemises exactly what is in a shipment and where. Every crate, pallet and loose item is labelled and cross-referenced to it. Together with the commercial invoice it is what a clearing agent presents at the destination.

Why it matters beyond customs

Unlabelled parts are the usual cause of disputes on arrival, because nobody can prove what was in the box. A packing list recording part numbers and engine or gearbox codes settles the question before it becomes an argument.

What to check

That codes and part numbers appear against high-value units, that quantities match what you ordered, and that the labels on the physical crates match the document.

Why this matters when you are buying

Terms like this one get used loosely in listings, and the difference between two of them is often the difference between a part that fits and one that does not. If a seller is vague about which they mean, ask — a straight answer takes a message and saves a return.

For anything mechanical or electrical, back the description up with a part number. It removes the ambiguity entirely.

Related terms

• Half cut — A vehicle cut across the middle so that one complete end — front or rear — can be shipped intact with its components still assembled.
• Engine code — The manufacturer code identifying an exact engine variant — the only reliable way to confirm that a replacement engine will fit.
• Gearbox code — The manufacturer code identifying an exact gearbox variant, used to confirm fitment in the same way an engine code is.
• Container consolidation — Combining many separate parts or orders into a single shipping container so the freight cost is spread across the whole load.
• End-of-life vehicle (ELV) — A vehicle that has reached the end of its useful life and is destined for dismantling, recycling or breaking for parts.
• Spares or repair — A condition label meaning the item is sold as faulty, incomplete or untested, and is expected to need work before use.

Where to go next

The full glossary defines every term used across the UK salvage and export trade. For the practical side, our guides and articles cover buying, selling and shipping in detail — or just ask us, which is usually quicker.