A Valued Packing List for Shipping Goods from the USA

The difference between a standard Packing List (PL) and a Valued Packing List (VPL)

When preparing documents for shipping goods from the U.S. overseas, do not confuse a standard Packing List (PL) with a Valued Packing List (VPL).

A standard Packing List explains how items are packed for international shipping. It supplements a commercial invoice (CI) or purchase receipt and cannot be used alone. Typically, it does not include the value of exported goods. (Note: Do not confuse a PL with a wood packing declaration.)

On the other hand, a Valued Packing List serves as a proforma commercial invoice used in international trade. It can replace a missing invoice or assign a value to personal belongings or household goods being shipped from the USA. Unlike a standard PL, which only describes the packaging method, a VPL includes a commodity description, outlines how the items are packed, and assigns a value in U.S. dollars (USD) for export purposes.

When a Valued Packing List Is Used

We strongly recommend providing a commercial invoice or purchase receipt when exporting commercial cargo.

However, if the shipper does not have these documents, a proforma commercial invoice may be submitted instead. In this case, the shipper describes the goods and assigns a value. This may be submitted in the form of a VPL.

If you're shipping personal belongings that are not for sale, a detailed VPL is the proper way to declare both the items and their value for shipping from the USA abroad.

Keep in mind that destination customs authorities may reassess the declared value. If they determine the submitted value is too low or unclear, they may assign a new value based on the local fair market price when the goods enter the destination country.

What the Valued Packing List Must Include

For international shipping from the USA, the VPL must be in English and contain the following:

The ocean carrier’s booking number
Shipper’s full name and valid contact information
A detailed description of the goods being shipped
The number of units and the total weight
The value of items in USD

The VPL is used in conjunction with the sea freight bill of lading. Any information missing from the bill of lading can be supplemented with details from the VPL.

Submitting a Valued Packing List with AMID Logistics

When exporting commercial cargo, we strongly recommend that you provide a copy of the commercial invoice or purchase receipt related to the commodity. Please create a PDF file of this document and email it to us before the cargo is delivered to the sea freight carrier's terminal (CFS).

However, if, for some reason, you miss such a document OR shipping from the USA household goods or personal effects, then with AMID Logistics, you can submit a VPL online via a web link provided in our shipping instructions. International freight carriers accept this document format to release a shipment for export from the United States. You can see the format of the document in this web link.

Usually, the document meets the destination country’s Customs requirements. However, sometimes Customs may request additional documentation, and the consignee must handle this on a case-by-case basis.

Providing Harmonized Codes

IMPORTANT: Effective January 1, 2011. All commercial invoices or VPLs must show at least the first eight digits of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), which must match the codes used on the bill of lading.

If you're shipping mixed household goods or personal effects, and no dominant item is listed, we may suggest HS Code 4016.99.05 – "Household articles not elsewhere specified or included."

Shippers can find the correct HTS codes at:

Submitting the Document Online

After completing your online booking, you’ll receive an email from us with shipping instructions, including a web link to complete and submit your VPL online.

The form will be pre-filled based on the details you entered during booking.

VALUED PACKING LIST

Please double-check your VPL for accuracy before submitting. If you need to make changes after submission, simply re-edit and resubmit. We will process the most recent version received before the carrier confirms freight release.

Once the release is confirmed, further updates will not be accepted unless previously agreed.

Correction Policy

No verbal correction requests will be accepted. All changes to shipping documents must be made in writing via email.
You may edit and resubmit your VPL multiple times until the bill of lading is issued.
After your documents are submitted to the ocean freight carrier and the bill of lading is issued, any changes may be subject to amendment fees.
Once your goods enter the destination country’s commerce zone, all changes are subject to review and approval by that country’s customs officials