Resources
Shipping Instructions (SLI)
Download our fillable template, complete it in any PDF reader, and email it back to our documentation team. Fill out what you have — we'll follow up on anything we still need.
Step 1
Download the SLI Template
Save this fillable PDF to your computer. You can type directly into the form fields in any PDF reader — Adobe Acrobat, Preview on Mac, or Chrome.
Download SLI Template (PDF)6 pages · fillable form fields · save and email when complete
Step 2
Fill it out and email it back
Once you’ve completed the form, email the saved PDF — along with your commercial invoice and packing list — to docs@theconveyco.com.
Open Email to docs@theconveyco.comWe typically respond within one business day to confirm receipt or follow up on any questions.
REFERENCE
Section-by-section help
Not sure what goes where? Here’s what each part of the form is for and how to fill it in.
Shipper
The exporter of record
What this is
Your company — the exporter of record.
What to fill in
The exact legal name and full address of your company as it appears on your commercial invoice. Include phone, email, and country.
Heads up
This name must match what’s on your commercial invoice and certificate of origin. Mismatches cause customs delays.
Consignee
Who receives the cargo
What this is
Who's receiving the cargo at destination.
What to fill in
Legal name, address, phone, and email of the consignee company. Get this from your customer or your sales contract.
Heads up
Match this exactly to your commercial invoice. The consignee is who legally takes ownership at delivery — get this wrong and the shipment can be held at destination customs.
Notify Partyoptional
Third party notified on arrival
What this is
A third party that should be notified when the cargo arrives — often a customs broker, bank (for L/C transactions), or the consignee's logistics team.
What to fill in
Leave blank if the consignee should be notified directly. Otherwise, fill in name, address, and phone.
Cargo Details
Physical description of what you're shipping
What this is
The physical description of what you're shipping.
What to fill in
- Commodity description:Plain English description of the cargo (e.g., “industrial pump parts, stainless steel”)
- Packages, package type, volume, weight: From your packing list
- Schedule B / Harmonized Code:10-digit code for U.S. exports. If you’re unsure, use our HS Code Lookup tool — or leave it blank and we’ll verify.
Heads up
If you have multiple commodities at different Schedule B codes, list each one in the Schedule B table on the form.
Container
Container type and numbers
What this is
The container the cargo is loaded into (for ocean shipments).
What to fill in
Container type (e.g., 40HC, 20GP), load type (FCL or LCL), and container/seal numbers once you have them.
Heads up
It’s fine to submit the SLI before you have container and seal numbers — these are assigned by the carrier when the container is released. Just send us an update when you have them.
Commercial Terms
Incoterms, payment, and L/C details
What this is
Who pays for what, and when ownership transfers.
What to fill in
- Incoterm: The shipping term from your sales contract (FOB, CIF, EXW, etc.). See our Incoterms 2020 reference if unsure.
- Incoterm Named Place:The city or port where the term applies (e.g., “FOB Shanghai”)
- Payment Terms: How the buyer is paying you (Net 30, Letter of Credit, wire transfer, etc.)
- L/C details:Only if you’re being paid via Letter of Credit
Compliance
U.S. export controls
What this is
U.S. export controls — confirms whether your cargo needs a special license.
What to fill in
- Country of Origin:Where the cargo was manufactured (not where it’s shipping from)
- Export License Required:Most shipments are “NLR” (No License Required) or “EAR99”. If you don’t know, leave blank and we’ll check.
- ECCN: Export Control Classification Number. Only matters if your cargo is regulated (technology, defense, sanctioned destinations).
- ITAR Controlled:Almost always No, unless you’re shipping defense articles.
Heads up
When in doubt, leave fields blank. We’d rather verify than have you guess wrong. If your cargo is regulated, your compliance team should be involved.
B/L Preferences
How the Bill of Lading is issued
What this is
How you want the Bill of Lading issued.
What to fill in
- B/L Type:Original B/L is the default for Letter of Credit transactions. Telex Release or Sea Waybill is faster and used when original documents aren’t required by the buyer.
- Number of Original Sets: Usually 3 if Original B/L
- Freight Terms: Prepaid (you pay) or Collect (buyer pays)
- Show Freight Amount: Whether the freight charge is printed on the B/L
Heads up
If you’re being paid via Letter of Credit, your L/C will specify the B/L requirements. Match those exactly or your bank can reject the documents.
Additional Instructionsoptional
Anything else we should know
What this is
Anything else our documentation team should know.
What to fill in
Special handling, temperature requirements, cargo sensitivity, time-critical concerns, customs broker contact info — whatever doesn’t fit in the other sections.
Supporting Documents
Attach to the same email
What this is
Documents to attach to the same email as your SLI.
What to fill in
- Commercial Invoice — required
- Packing List — required
- Certificate of Origin — if applicable
- Export License — if required
Heads up
Attach these as separate files to the same email — don’t merge them with the SLI PDF.
What happens next
- 1
We receive your email
Your submission lands directly in our documentation team's inbox at docs@theconveyco.com.
- 2
We confirm or follow up
Within one business day, you'll get a confirmation or a follow-up question if anything's unclear.
- 3
We prepare your documents
We draft the Bill of Lading, coordinate AES filing if required, and handle any export documentation based on your cargo and compliance details. We send drafts for your review before anything is submitted to the carrier.
Have questions before you submit?
Our team is happy to walk through documentation requirements for your specific shipment.