First, let’s start with the basic concept: what is a packing list? What is it for? And why is it so important in shipment management?
The packing list is a document, non-fiscal in nature, detailing a list of the contents of the packages of one or more shipments of goods and in which data identifying the material being transported must be filled in.
In fact, the packing list indicates everything inherent to the goods shipment, namely: the number of packages, their dimensions and relative weight, plus all information inherent to the contents; information, the latter, which is important during the control phase by the Authorities.
The packing list is essential for those who have to make freight shipments, especially international ones, and it is mandatory to attach it to invoices for countries outside the European Union. In addition, very importantly, it allows four important aspects to be managed:
- Customs Implications: in case of customs inspection, the packing list becomes necessary for timely verification of goods and avoid customs detentions;
- Insurance Implications: the bill of parcels is the document referenced to assess the extent of any damage incurred;
- Management Implications: certainty of shipment is ensured, with the possibility of verification and acceptance of its contents by the customer;
- Implications toward suppliers: control, in real time, what is shipped by a sub-supplier.
The evolution called the Photographic Packing List
The development is called a photographic packing list, and it basically allows the goods being shipped to be associated with the relevant pictures, so that better identification of each individual product being transported can be made.
Each item is in fact labeled with a barcode, and by scanning it with a special reader it will be possible to trace its photo and descriptive information.
The stated goals of the photographic packing list are three:
- Provide clear information to identify the goods being shipped;
- Managing the required information not only through codes but also with images;
- Better identify each individual component/product.
Through the photographic packing list, the user will be able to have, at all times, visual feedback of the shipped material.
This is done by simply reading a QR-code that is applied at the checkout and through which you will always be able to monitor from your mobile device (smartphone/tablet), in real time, all the products contained in the individual packages.
Thanks to the photographic packing list, it is therefore possible to ensure an effective visual check between the material shipped and that prepared by the packer, guaranteeing:
- More scrupulous monitoring of shipped material by the supplier;
- Optimization of logistics processes;
- A substantial reduction in customs crossing times, ensuring regulatory compliance.
It is in this context that Packing List Photo (click here) by Sygest, which is the innovative software solution for creating a detailed photographic packing list of the packages containing the shipped material.
Strengthened by all the advantages and peculiarities described before, this application is able to automatically generate accurate documentation related to the bill of parcels with the aim of providing the clearest possible information to identify the goods being shipped, thus avoiding problems and errors and ensuring considerable savings in terms of time and additional costs related to delays and/or reshipments.
Packing List Photo: tax breaks with Tax Credit 4.0
The Packing List Photo solution is eligible for relief from the 4.0 Tax Credit(read more), which has remained unchanged from the Budget Law 2024, maintaining the reduced rates for investments in intangible assets set out inAnnex B of Law 232/2016.
Compared with the values until 2023, the rates decrease by 5 percent each year starting in 2024:
- for 2024, the recognized Tax Credit drops to 15 percent of the investment, with a maximum of €1 million in eligible costs;
- for 2025, maintaining the maximum already indicated for 2024, the percentage drops to 10 percent of the cost of the eligible assets.
Info and contacts
To receive more information about the sotfware solution and for further discussion of the topics covered, please email e.corradini@sygest.it