A pack slip is one of the primary inputs Pattern uses to move your inventory and keep records accurate. Here's why it matters, and how to make sure yours is right the first time.
What a pack slip does
For inventory that crossdocks straight through to Amazon rather than sitting in Pattern storage, the pack slip is what our team uses to build the outbound marketplace (FBA) shipment. An accurate pack slip keeps that shipment on schedule and helps you avoid rebuilds or Amazon inbound fees.
The pack slip is also Pattern's source of truth for reconciliation. When the pack slip, your inbound shipment (IR) data, and the physical contents of the shipment all agree, your inventory count is confirmed clean. That protects you from shortage disputes and keeps Seller Central in sync with what's on Pattern's shelves.
The three-way match
When inventory arrives at a Pattern warehouse, our team reconciles three things:
- The pack slip uploaded in Hub
- The inbound shipment (IR) data on file
- The physical contents of the shipment
When all three align, receiving can begin right away with minimal delays and receipt discrepancies.
What causes discrepancies
| Cause | What happens |
|---|---|
| No pack slip uploaded in Hub, or the wrong one uploaded | Receiving can't confirm what's in the shipment against your records |
| Physical contents don't match the declared IR quantities or SKUs in Hub | Counts don't reconcile, which can flag a shortage dispute |
| Case pack quantities changed without notifying Pattern before the shipment was created | The pack slip no longer reflects what's actually in the box |
Most common root cause: an item's case pack quantity is physically changed without a corresponding update to the pack slip and/or Pattern catalog before the shipment is created. If a case pack changes, update Hub and your pack slip before you ship.
How to provide a pack slip
Before an IR can be marked Ready to Ship, it must include a pack slip. You have two ways to provide one:
- Generate one in Hub (recommended). Enter lot and expiration details for any items that require them, and Hub checks the entries as you go, confirming quantities line up and dates are valid, then produces the pack slip for you. Because it's validated as you enter it, issues get caught before your shipment leaves, not after it arrives. This is also the easiest way to capture the component-level detail needed for bundles and variety packs.
- Upload your own. If you'd rather use the pack slip your 3PL or warehouse gave you, you can upload it instead.
Missing pack slip fee
Pattern will assess a fee for any IRs missing a pack slip going forward, to help keep shipments moving quickly and efficiently. We'll give advance notice before this takes effect.
Have more questions? Please contact your Pattern Brand Manager.