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Packing List

Extract package manifest data including shipper details, package specifications, weights, volumes, and content descriptions.

Overview

The Packing List document type extracts structured data from package manifests and shipping lists. Packing lists accompany shipments to detail the contents of each package, enabling accurate customs declarations, warehouse receiving, and inventory reconciliation.

This is ideal for:

  • Warehouse receiving operations
  • Customs and import documentation
  • Inventory management systems
  • Quality control inspections
  • Supply chain traceability

Extracted Fields

| Field | Type | Description | |-------|------|-------------| | packingListNumber | string | Unique packing list identifier | | date | string | Document date (ISO 8601) | | shipper | object | Shipper/sender party details | | consignee | object | Consignee/receiver party details | | packages | array | Individual package specifications | | totalWeight | object | Combined weight of all packages | | totalVolume | object | Combined volume of all packages |

Example Request

POST/v1/documents/process
curl -X POST 'https://api.docurift.com/v1/documents/process' \
  -H 'X-API-Key: your_api_key' \
  -F 'file=@packing-list.pdf' \
  -F 'documentType=packing_list'

Example Response

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "id": "doc_pkl_4a6b8c0d2e4f6a8b",
    "documentType": "packing_list",
    "result": {
      "packingListNumber": "PL-2024-00384",
      "date": "2024-11-12",
      "orderReference": "PO-2024-08472",
      "invoiceReference": "INV-2024-00651",
      "shipper": {
        "name": "Global Manufacturing Ltd.",
        "address": "88 Factory Road, Industrial Estate",
        "city": "Dongguan",
        "state": "Guangdong",
        "postalCode": "523000",
        "country": "China",
        "contact": "Lisa Chen",
        "phone": "+86 769 8888 7777",
        "email": "shipping@globalmanufacturing.cn"
      },
      "consignee": {
        "name": "American Retail Group",
        "address": "1200 Commerce Way, Distribution Center",
        "city": "Los Angeles",
        "state": "CA",
        "postalCode": "90021",
        "country": "USA",
        "contact": "Mark Anderson",
        "phone": "+1 (213) 555-0847",
        "email": "receiving@americanretail.com"
      },
      "notifyParty": {
        "name": "West Coast Freight Brokers",
        "phone": "+1 (310) 555-0234",
        "email": "notify@wcfreight.com"
      },
      "packages": [
        {
          "packageNumber": "1/24",
          "cartonNumber": "CTN-001",
          "contents": [
            {
              "sku": "WG-TBL-4872",
              "description": "Wireless Gaming Table - 48x72 inch",
              "quantity": 2,
              "unit": "units",
              "hsCode": "9403.10"
            }
          ],
          "dimensions": {
            "length": 130,
            "width": 85,
            "height": 25,
            "unit": "CM"
          },
          "grossWeight": 45.5,
          "netWeight": 42.0,
          "weightUnit": "KG",
          "volume": 0.276,
          "volumeUnit": "CBM",
          "marks": "ARG/LA\nCTN-001\nMade in China"
        },
        {
          "packageNumber": "2-12/24",
          "cartonNumbers": "CTN-002 to CTN-012",
          "contents": [
            {
              "sku": "WG-CHR-PRO",
              "description": "Professional Gaming Chair - Ergonomic",
              "quantity": 22,
              "unit": "units",
              "hsCode": "9401.30"
            }
          ],
          "dimensions": {
            "length": 75,
            "width": 65,
            "height": 60,
            "unit": "CM"
          },
          "grossWeight": 286.0,
          "netWeight": 264.0,
          "weightUnit": "KG",
          "volume": 3.218,
          "volumeUnit": "CBM",
          "marks": "ARG/LA\nCTN-002-012\nMade in China"
        },
        {
          "packageNumber": "13-24/24",
          "cartonNumbers": "CTN-013 to CTN-024",
          "contents": [
            {
              "sku": "WG-DSK-MAT",
              "description": "Extended Gaming Desk Mat - RGB",
              "quantity": 120,
              "unit": "units",
              "hsCode": "3926.90"
            },
            {
              "sku": "WG-CBL-MGR",
              "description": "Cable Management Kit",
              "quantity": 50,
              "unit": "kits",
              "hsCode": "3926.90"
            }
          ],
          "dimensions": {
            "length": 50,
            "width": 40,
            "height": 30,
            "unit": "CM"
          },
          "grossWeight": 156.0,
          "netWeight": 144.0,
          "weightUnit": "KG",
          "volume": 0.720,
          "volumeUnit": "CBM",
          "marks": "ARG/LA\nCTN-013-024\nMade in China"
        }
      ],
      "totalPackages": 24,
      "totalWeight": {
        "gross": 487.5,
        "net": 450.0,
        "unit": "KG"
      },
      "totalVolume": {
        "value": 4.214,
        "unit": "CBM"
      },
      "shippingMethod": "Sea Freight - FCL",
      "containerNumber": "CSQU3847291",
      "specialInstructions": "Handle with care. Keep dry. Stack maximum 3 high."
    },
    "confidence": 0.95,
    "processingTimeMs": 2180
  }
}

Field Definitions

packingListNumber

The unique identifier for this packing list document, typically assigned by the shipper's system.

date

The date when the packing list was created, formatted as an ISO 8601 date string (YYYY-MM-DD).

shipper

An object containing the sender's details:

| Property | Type | Description | |----------|------|-------------| | name | string | Company or business name | | address | string | Street address | | city | string | City name | | state | string | State or province | | postalCode | string | Postal code | | country | string | Country name | | contact | string | Contact person name | | phone | string | Contact phone number | | email | string | Contact email address |

consignee

An object containing the receiver's details with the same structure as the shipper object.

packages

An array of package specifications. Each package object includes:

| Property | Type | Description | |----------|------|-------------| | packageNumber | string | Package sequence (e.g., "1/24", "2-5/24") | | cartonNumber | string | Individual carton identifier | | cartonNumbers | string | Range of carton numbers (if grouped) | | contents | array | Items contained in this package | | dimensions | object | Length, width, height, and unit | | grossWeight | number | Total weight including packaging | | netWeight | number | Weight of goods only | | weightUnit | string | Weight unit (KG, LBS) | | volume | number | Cubic volume | | volumeUnit | string | Volume unit (CBM, CFT) | | marks | string | Shipping marks on the package |

Each item in the contents array includes:

| Property | Type | Description | |----------|------|-------------| | sku | string | Product SKU or part number | | description | string | Item description | | quantity | number | Number of units | | unit | string | Unit of measure | | hsCode | string | Harmonized System tariff code |

totalWeight

An object containing the combined weight:

| Property | Type | Description | |----------|------|-------------| | gross | number | Total gross weight of all packages | | net | number | Total net weight of all packages | | unit | string | Weight unit (KG, LBS) |

totalVolume

An object containing the combined volume:

| Property | Type | Description | |----------|------|-------------| | value | number | Total cubic volume | | unit | string | Volume unit (CBM, CFT) |

Best Practices

  1. Cross-Reference Invoices: Match the invoiceReference with corresponding invoice documents to ensure quantity and value alignment.

  2. HS Code Validation: Verify extracted HS codes against your product database for customs compliance accuracy.

  3. Weight Verification: Compare extracted weights against actual scale measurements during receiving.

  4. Package Counting: Ensure totalPackages matches the count of items in the packages array for data integrity.

  5. Dimension Accuracy: Package dimensions are critical for freight cost calculations - verify against physical measurements when discrepancies are suspected.

  6. Volume Calculation: Cross-check that individual package volumes sum to approximately the totalVolume value.

  7. Shipping Marks: The marks field often contains critical information for warehouse routing and identification - preserve this data.

  8. Grouped Packages: When packages are grouped (e.g., "CTN-002 to CTN-012"), the extraction represents them as a single entry with a carton range.

  9. Multiple Content Items: Packages containing multiple SKUs will have all items listed in the contents array for that package.

  10. Unit Consistency: Ensure weight units (KG/LBS) and volume units (CBM/CFT) are consistent across your supply chain systems for accurate reporting.

  11. Special Instructions: Pay attention to handling instructions in specialInstructions for proper warehouse treatment of goods.

  12. Container Tracking: If a container number is present, use it to link the packing list with bill of lading and other shipping documents.