A delivery note says what was delivered, an invoice asks for payment, and a packing slip lists what is in the parcel. They look alike, so they are often mixed up. Here is the difference, when to use each, and how to make a delivery note and an invoice from the same details.
- Delivery note: goes with the goods. Lists what was delivered, usually with no prices, and is signed on receipt.
- Packing slip: goes inside the parcel. A checklist of contents, usually with no prices.
- Invoice: asks for payment. Lists items with prices, the total and the due date.
Side by side
| Delivery note | Packing slip | Invoice | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Proof of delivery | Checklist of contents | Request for payment |
| Shows prices? | Usually no | Usually no | Yes |
| Signed by customer? | Often yes | Rarely | No |
| Travels with | The goods, or the driver | Inside the parcel | Email or post, with or after delivery |
| Key details | Items, quantities, delivery date, who delivered | Items and quantities | Items, prices, total, due date, payment details |
When to use which
- Delivering goods to a business or a customer’s site: a delivery note signed on receipt, plus an invoice.
- Posting parcels from a small online shop: a packing slip in each parcel.
- Selling over the counter: a receipt is usually enough.
- Part deliveries: a delivery note for each drop, showing what was ordered and what was delivered each time.
Make a delivery note and an invoice from the same details
The free delivery note generator and invoice generator share the same form, so you type the customer and items once.
- Start with the delivery note Enter the customer under Deliver to, then add each item with its Description, Ordered and Delivered quantities and Unit. Leave Delivered empty if everything was delivered.
- Tick the signature boxes Tick Signature boxes so the note prints spaces for Delivered by and Received in good condition by.
- Download and send with the goods Click Open / print for the driver, or Download PDF to email it.
- Switch to Invoice Click Invoice at the top of the form. The customer and items stay. Add your prices, and put the delivery note’s number in the invoice notes.
Make a delivery note now
Free, no sign-up. A clean PDF with boxes to sign, in about 2 minutes.
Common mix-ups
- Putting prices on a delivery note. They belong on the invoice.
- Not getting a signature. An unsigned note proves much less.
- Different quantities on each document. Check the delivery note and the invoice match before you send them.
- Calling an invoice a “delivery note”. If you want to be paid, it needs to say Invoice, with a due date.
Questions people ask
Is a delivery note the same as a packing slip?
They are very close. Both list what is in a delivery and usually show no prices. A packing slip normally goes inside the parcel as a checklist. A delivery note is often signed by the person receiving the goods as proof of delivery. Some businesses use the two words for the same document.
Does a delivery note need prices?
Usually not. It confirms what was delivered, not what it costs. The price goes on the invoice. Leaving prices off also means the person signing for the goods does not see your pricing.
Who keeps the delivery note?
The customer keeps one copy, and you keep a signed copy as proof of delivery. If you deliver by courier, ask them to bring the signed copy back or take a photo of it.
Can I send the invoice and the delivery note together?
Yes, many businesses do. Others send the delivery note with the goods and email the invoice afterwards. Choose what suits your customer and your payment terms.
What if the customer says some items were missing?
That is what the delivery note is for. If it says everything was delivered and was signed as received in good condition, you have proof. If something was missing, write it on the note before signing, so both sides agree what was delivered.
Do I need all three documents for every sale?
No. A shop sale may need only a receipt. Delivering goods to a business often needs a delivery note and an invoice. Use what your customer and your records need.
Related tools and guides
- Delivery note generator — free PDFs with boxes to sign on delivery.
- What to include on a delivery note — the full checklist and an example.
- Invoice generator — bill the delivery; the customer and items carry over.
- How to write an invoice — checklist and worked example.