Supply Chain & InventoryFree templatePDF, Excel, Word export

Shipper's Letter of Instruction (SLI) Template

A shipper's letter of instruction is the written brief you give your freight forwarder before cargo moves. It names the parties, describes the goods, states the Incoterm and lists the documents to prepare. This template produces a clean, signable SLI in minutes.

Fill in

Live preview
Download:

Shipper's Letter of Instruction (SLI) Template

Shipper's Letter of Instruction

Date: 2026-10-20 To: Gulf Coast Forwarding LLC Shipper reference: SO-448120

Parties

Shipper: Acme Precision Components Inc. 1200 Industrial Pkwy, Houston, TX 77032, USA

Consignee: Rhein Motoren GmbH Industriestrasse 14, 70565 Stuttgart, Germany

Notify party: Same as consignee

Shipment

Mode: Ocean LCL Incoterm: FCA Houston, TX Pieces: 6 wooden crates Gross weight: 1840 kg Volume: 7.2 CBM Declared value: USD 48500

Goods description

CNC machined aluminum housings, finished, HTS 8708.99. Marks: ACME/SO-448120.

Documents and handling

Documents requested: Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, bill of lading (3 originals).

Special handling: Do not stack. Keep dry. Insure at 110 percent of invoice value.

Authorization

I authorize the forwarder named above to act as agent for the shipper for routing, documentation and customs filing, subject to the forwarder's standard trading terms. The information above is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Signatures

Shipper authorized signatory / Date
Date / Date

This is a starting point, not legal advice. Check the Incoterm, export licence needs and your forwarder's terms before signing. Keep a signed copy with the export file.

Fill shipping documents from your ERP

Optional: a short review of how SLIs, invoices and packing lists could be generated from your sales order data.

Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.

How to use this template

Fill in the fields on the left and the document updates on the right. Start with the parties and the Incoterm, because they decide who books freight and who carries risk at each point. Then add pieces, weights, volume and a goods description that matches the commercial invoice word for word. Export to PDF for signing, or to Word if your forwarder wants to edit it. Save one SLI per shipment and reference it in your ERP sales order so the file can be found during an audit.

What a good SLI contains

Forwarders and customs brokers rely on the SLI to file export data and book cargo. Missing or inconsistent details are the most common source of delays and amendment fees.

  • Full legal names and addresses for shipper, consignee and notify party
  • Incoterm plus the named place, such as FCA Houston
  • Piece count, packaging type, gross weight and volume
  • A plain-language goods description and, where known, the HTS or Schedule B number
  • Declared value and the currency
  • Documents required and any special handling or insurance wishes

Keeping data consistent across documents

The goods description, weights, values and consignee on the SLI should match the commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading. A mismatch of even a few kilograms can trigger a customs query at destination. Pull figures from the shipment record in your ERP rather than retyping them. If weights are estimates, say so and tell the forwarder to update them after the carrier or terminal weighs the cargo.

Common mistakes

Most SLI problems are avoidable with a few habits.

  • Leaving the Incoterm blank, so the forwarder cannot tell who pays for what
  • Using a short product nickname instead of a customs-friendly description
  • Forgetting dangerous goods or temperature requirements
  • Not stating who pays for insurance
  • Sending the SLI without a signature, which some forwarders will not accept for export filing

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an SLI legally required?

No law requires the form itself, but the forwarder needs written instructions and the exporter is responsible for accurate export data. In the US, a power of attorney or SLI is typically how a forwarder gets authority to file on your behalf. Check your forwarder's terms.

Who signs the SLI?

An authorized person at the shipper signs it, usually the export manager, logistics lead or an officer. The signature confirms that the information is accurate and authorizes the forwarder to act as your agent for the shipment.

How is an SLI different from a bill of lading?

The SLI is your instruction to the forwarder before shipping. The bill of lading is issued by the carrier after the cargo is received and acts as a receipt, a contract of carriage and, if negotiable, a document of title.

Do I need a new SLI for every shipment?

Usually yes, because cargo, weights and destinations change. Some regular shippers keep a standing instruction for fixed lanes and send only a short booking request with each load. Ask your forwarder what they accept.

If you re-key shipment details from your ERP into letters like this one, we can wire the template to your sales order and shipment data so it fills itself.

Talk to an ExpertExplore More Free Tools

Related Tools

Compliance & Contracts

Certificate of Origin Request Letter Template

A fill-in letter to request a certificate of origin from a chamber of commerce or a supplier origin declaration for preferential duty claims.

Supply Chain & Inventory

Freight Claim Letter Template (Loss and Damage)

A fill-in loss, damage or shortage claim letter for a motor carrier, listing the shipment, exceptions and the amount you are claiming.

Compliance & Contracts

Export Shipment Documentation Checklist

A pre-shipment checklist covering commercial documents, export controls, transport paperwork and payment terms.

Supply Chain & Inventory

Shipment Tracking Log Worksheet

An editable log for open shipments with reference, carrier, ETA, status, weight and freight cost, ready to export to Excel.

More Supply Chain & Inventory tools

See all
Back to All Tools