One sheet from a 30-page packing list, with totals that match the declaration

From PDF to filed sheet in four steps

1. Upload

   Drop the supplier's PDF. Text PDFs are read directly. Scanned pages are read with OCR and the result says so, so you know to check the numbers against the original.

2. Aggregate

   Tables split across pages are merged. Repeated header rows and “Page x of y” lines are dropped. Carton ranges are counted (1-25 is 25 cartons), lbs are converted to kg, and CBM is computed from carton size when there is no CBM column.

3. Check totals

   Cartons, quantity, N.W., G.W. and CBM from the lines are compared with the totals the list declares. Each metric shows lines, declaration and variance. Rows with a missing weight, G.W. below N.W., CBM over 1 per carton or overlapping carton ranges are flagged.

4. Download

   A seven-column customs CSV (Marks, Description, HS Code, Quantity, Unit, Net Weight kg, Gross Weight kg), a full-detail CSV with every parsed column, JSON, or an .xlsx with a tie-out sheet.

Retyping, generic converters and CargoSheet

What gets flagged on a row

Orange tags need a decision before you file. Grey tags only record what the converter did.

• Weight missingN.W. or G.W. is blank on a row that has cartons or quantity. A customs sheet needs both.
• G.W. below N.W.Gross weight cannot be below net weight. One of the two is mistyped.
• CBM over 1 per cartonMore than 1 CBM in one carton is rare. Usually a line total sits in a per-carton column, or the sizes are in mm.
• Carton range overlapsTwo rows claim the same carton numbers inside the same marks and PO.
• Carton range repeatedThe same range appears on two rows that both carry weights. A second SKU in the same carton should have blank weights.
• Carton range unreadableThe carton cell is neither a number nor a range, so the carton count of that row is unknown.
• Count differs from rangeA cartons-count column disagrees with the range on the same row. The range is used.
• Converted from lbsWeight written in lbs, converted at 0.45359237 kg per lb. Recorded, not an error.
• CBM computedNo CBM column on the row; CBM = length x width x height of one carton x cartons.
• Qty computedQuantity was blank; it is qty per carton x cartons.
• Read per cartonThe column read as per carton, multiplied by cartons, because that is the reading that matches the declared total.

Packing list to Excel: questions

What does CargoSheet do with a multi-page packing list PDF?

It reads the tables, merges the ones that continue across pages, drops repeated header rows and page-number lines, and returns one row per carton range or SKU with marks, description, HS code, quantity, unit, net weight, gross weight and CBM. It then adds up the lines and compares the result with the totals declared in the document.

What counts as a tie?

Cartons and quantity must match exactly. Weights must be within 0.05 kg and CBM within 0.01, so rounding on the supplier's side does not raise a false alarm. Anything beyond that is shown as a variance, with the metric marked in orange. The variance is the sum of the lines minus the declared total.

How are cartons counted from a range like 1-25?

Every carton in the range counts: 1-25 is 25 cartons. Ranges written as 1~25, 1 to 25, A1-A25 or 1-5, 8-10 are read too. Carton numbers are checked within one marks and PO sequence, so two POs that both start at carton 1 are not treated as overlapping. A repeated range that carries its own weights, or a partial overlap, is flagged.

What happens when the weights are in lbs?

Each lbs value is converted to kg at 0.45359237 kg per lb and the row is marked “Converted from lbs”. A declared total written in lbs is converted the same way before it is compared, so the tie-out is done in kg.

What if the list has no CBM column?

If a carton size is given, for example 60x40x30 cm, CBM is length x width x height of one carton times the cartons on the row, and the row is marked “CBM computed”. If there is neither a CBM column nor a carton size, CBM is left blank and its total is not compared.

How many files can I convert for free?

Free: 1 file per day, up to 10 pages, no account. Pro is $29 per month for 150 files a month, files up to 150 pages, 1 seat. Team is $79 per month for 500 files a month, files up to 150 pages, 3 seats. Paid access is a page code sent by email after payment and entered once in “Have a page code?”; there is no account on any plan. See pricing.

Does a tied sheet guarantee my customs entry is accepted?

No. CargoSheet checks that the sheet agrees with the totals declared on the packing list. Whether an entry is accepted depends on the customs authority, the other documents, and whether the declared numbers are themselves correct. Check the output against the original before filing.

What if my packing list uses different column names?

The usual synonyms are mapped: Marks & Nos., C/No., CTN, SKU, Style, Qty, PCS, N.W., G.W., CBM, M3, MEAS and more, including some Chinese headers. Columns that are not recognised are kept in the full-detail CSV and listed in the notes under the table. See the full list of headers.

Is my packing list stored?

Files are processed in memory and deleted after conversion. Pages that need a second look may be sent to Google's Gemini API, which keeps data for up to 55 days under Google's terms. Uploads are not used for training. Details are on the privacy page.

Which file types can I upload?

PDF is the supported format. If a PDF is a scan, it is read with OCR and the result carries a notice to check the numbers against the original. If a file cannot be read as a packing list, you get an error message instead of an empty or invented sheet.