How to read a stock-lot packing list
When you buy a stock lot, you rarely see every piece before you commit. The packing list is the closest thing you have to that. It tells you what is in the lot, how it is split, and how it is packed. Reading it properly is the difference between a lot that sells through and one that sits in your stock room.
Here is what to look for, column by column, and the questions worth asking before you pay.
The columns that matter
Style number or SKU. This is the brand's reference for each product. It lets you look up the item, check its original price and see photos. If a list has no style numbers, ask for them. Without them you are buying descriptions, not products.
Description. Usually short, such as "Women's leather tote" or "Men's crew-neck knit". Use it to sort the lot into your own categories. Vague descriptions like "assorted accessories" need a breakdown.
Colour. Check how the colours are spread. A lot that is 70% black will sell differently from one spread across seasonal colours. Neither is wrong, but you should know which you are getting.
Size breakdown. This is often the most important part of the list. Look at how units are split across sizes, not just the total. We cover this in detail in our guide to size curves.
Quantity. Total units per style, and the total for the lot. Add them up yourself. Totals that don't match the line items are an early warning.
RRP or original retail price. This lets you work out the discount and plan your own price. Check a few RRPs against the brand's own pricing to make sure they are realistic.
Season. The season code tells you how old the stock is. Older stock is usually cheaper, and the code helps you judge whether the styles still look current. See our explainer on season codes.
Barcode (EAN or UPC). Useful if you scan stock into a point-of-sale system. Missing barcodes mean extra work at your end.
Country of origin and HS code. These matter for customs. The HS code classifies the product for duty purposes. If you are importing, your customs broker will need both.
Carton number, weight and dimensions. These tell you how the lot is packed and what it will cost to ship. They also help you check the delivery against the list carton by carton.
Questions to ask before you pay
Does the packing list match the invoice? Units, styles and totals should agree. Any gap should be explained.
Is each carton packed by style, or mixed? Mixed cartons take longer to sort and check.
Are all items in original packaging, with tags? This affects how you can sell them.
Can I see photos? Ask for photos of a sample of styles, and of the cartons as packed.
What happens if the delivery doesn't match the list? Agree this before you pay, not after.
Are there any styles I can't sell in my market? Some brands restrict where stock can be sold. Ask.
A quick check you can do in ten minutes
Before you commit, sort the list by category and by size. Then ask yourself three things:
Do I have customers for most of these categories?
Are the sizes spread in a way my customers buy?
At the RRPs shown, can I price this at a level my customers will pay and still make my margin?
If the answer to any of these is no, that part of the lot will be slow to move. That doesn't mean you should pass, but it should change what you are willing to pay.
In short
A good packing list is specific: style numbers, sizes, quantities, seasons and RRPs, with totals that add up. If a list is vague, ask for more detail. The time you spend reading it carefully is far less than the time you would spend selling stock that doesn't suit your shop.
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