Shipper's Letter of Instruction (SLI)

Instructions from the shipper to the forwarder covering shipment details and the authorized services or filings.

Published by AllwayforwardUpdated 18 Oct 2026

A visual breakdown of Shipper's Letter of Instruction (SLI): Shipper's instructions, Cargo + routing data and Authorized actions. The illustration simplifies the concept; the definition and applicable terms determine the details.

Where it fits in the journey

Highlighted stages are commonly relevant

01Agree — commonly relevant
02Prepare
03Transport
04Clear — commonly relevant
05Deliver

THE PICTURE, IN WORDS

Shipper's Letter of Instruction (SLI) at a glance

Shipper's instructions
Cargo + routing data
Authorized actions

THE DETAIL THAT MATTERS

Does an SLI remove my responsibility for accurate shipment facts?

Complete the information carefully. An instruction letter does not remove the shipper's duty to provide accurate facts.

Give each document its own job

Document	Main question it answers
Commercial invoice	What was sold, by whom and at what value?
Packing list	What is inside each physical package?
Transport document	Who carries the goods and how are they released?

Hand-drawn shipping paperwork beside packed goods, illustrating cargo records. — Documents in context · original educational illustration, not a photograph of a shipment.

Before you book

For documents, have these details ready:

Correct legal parties and shipment references
Matching product descriptions, pieces and weights
Required originals, authorizations and release instructions

Explore documents support

Sources & further reading

Plain-language educational guidance. The applicable contract, carrier tariff, official rules or insurance policy takes precedence. Illustrations show concepts, not a specific shipment or facility.

Published by Allwayforward as a plain-language freight reference. Examples are illustrative, not customer case studies. For a correction, send the term and supporting source.