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Customs and shipping instruction forms provide freight forwarders, carriers, and customs agents with the key details they need to move goods across international borders legally and efficiently. They capture information such as shipper and consignee details, commodity descriptions, declared values, and routing instructions, helping ensure export compliance and proper handling throughout the shipment lifecycle.

Any U.S.-based exporter or shipper who is working with a freight forwarder or export agent to ship goods internationally typically needs to complete an SLI. It is especially important when the forwarder will be filing Electronic Export Information (EEI) in the Automated Export System (AES) on the shipper's behalf, as it provides the forwarder with the data and authorization needed to do so.

The SLI should be completed and submitted to your freight forwarder or export agent well before the scheduled shipment date, ideally at the time of booking or as soon as shipment details are confirmed. Submitting it early gives your forwarder enough time to prepare export documentation, file any required EEI, and arrange proper routing or cargo screening.

The SLI itself is not a standalone government-mandated form, but the information it contains is often required to fulfill legal export obligations, such as filing EEI through AES for qualifying shipments. It also serves as a contractual instruction to the forwarder and can grant limited power of attorney, making it an essential document in many international shipping transactions.

You will generally need details about the shipper and consignee (names, addresses, contact information), a description of the goods being exported (including HS/Schedule B commodity codes), the declared value, country of origin, destination country, and preferred routing or carrier information. For regulated commodities, you may also need export license numbers or exemption citations.

In many cases, yes — the SLI can include an authorization clause that grants the forwarder limited authority to act on the shipper's behalf, including filing EEI and, for air cargo, consenting to cargo screening. However, for ongoing or complex relationships, a separate formal power of attorney may still be recommended. Always confirm with your forwarder what level of authorization they require.

Yes, the SLI typically includes optional sections where the shipper can declare the value of goods for insurance purposes and provide instructions regarding cargo insurance coverage. Completing these sections accurately helps establish liability limits and ensures the forwarder arranges appropriate coverage if requested.

The completed SLI is submitted directly to your freight forwarder or export agent — it is not filed with a government agency. Your forwarder then uses the information to prepare export documentation and, when required, to file EEI with U.S. Customs and Border Protection through the Automated Export System (AES).

Yes — AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can fill out forms such as the Shipper's Letter of Instruction in under 30 seconds by accurately extracting and placing data from your source documents, such as commercial invoices or packing lists. This reduces manual entry errors and speeds up the documentation process, which is especially valuable when managing time-sensitive international shipments.

Manually completing an SLI can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the complexity of the shipment and how readily available your export data is. Using an AI tool like Instafill.ai, the form can be populated in under 30 seconds by pulling data directly from existing shipping or commercial documents, significantly reducing preparation time.

Inaccurate or incomplete information on the SLI can lead to delays in export documentation, incorrect EEI filings, compliance violations, or improper routing and handling of your shipment. It is important to review all entries carefully — particularly commodity codes, declared values, and authorization clauses — before submitting to your forwarder.

While the core data elements are standardized based on U.S. export regulations and AES requirements, the specific layout and format of an SLI can vary between freight forwarders and industry organizations. Most versions capture the same essential information, so it is worth confirming with your forwarder whether they have a preferred template or will accept a standard industry form.