Preparing Shipper's Letters of Instruction (SLI)

The Shipper's Letter of Instruction is for United States international export shipments valued at least $2,500 USD. It combines an air waybill and a US Export Declaration.

Click a link to view instructions

  Section 1: Shipper (Principal Party in Interest)

1.   Click Load from Document Templates or Load from Address Book to automatically fill most of the fields in this section from an entry in your address book.

2.   To avoid delays, please check that the following fields contain complete and accurate information.

Name: Type the complete name of the shipper (principal party in interest), or fill from the Company Name field in your address book. This prints in section 1a on the SLI.

Address: Type the first line of the shipper's address, or fill from the Address 1 field in your address book. This prints in section 1a on the SLI.

Address: Type the second line of the shipper's address, or fill from the Address 2 field in your address book. This prints in section 1a on the SLI.

City: Type the shipper's city, or fill from the corresponding field in your address book. This prints in section 1a on the SLI.

State: If the shipper is in the United States or Canada, type the shipper's state or province. Alternatively, fill from the State/Province field in your address book. This prints as a two-letter code in section 1a on the SLI.

Postal Code: If the shipper is in the United States or Canada, type the shipper's ZIP or postal code. Alternatively, fill from the Postal Code field in your address book. This prints in section 1a on the SLI.

Contact Name: (Optional) Type the name of the person preparing the SLI who can best answer questions for resolving problems on the SLI. Alternatively, fill the information from the corresponding field in your address book. This information prints in section 29 on the SLI.

Contact Phone Number: Type the telephone number of the shipper preparing the SLI who can best answer questions for resolving problems on the SLI. Alternatively, fill the information from the Contact Phone field in your address book. This prints in section 30 on the SLI.

Email Address: (Optional) Type the e-mail address of the shipper, or fill from the Contact e-mail field in your address book. This prints in section 31 on the SLI.

Export ID No. (EIN): (Optional) Type the shipper's nine-digit Internal Revenue Service Employer Identification Number. This prints in section 1b on the SLI.

Note: For personal goods, use the shipper's Social Security Number.

Parties to Transaction: Click the dropdown arrow dropdown arrow to select whether the exporter and the ultimate consignee are economically related or non-related. This prints in section 1c on the SLI.

Note: A related party transaction is a transaction between a shipper and a foreign consignee where the same person or business enterprise has at least 10 percent ownership of each. For example, a parent company or sister company.

Date Of Exportation: Click the dropdown arrow dropdown arrow to select the date in the next week when you will tender the shipment to UPS Supply Chain Solutions. This prints in section 2 on the SLI.

3.   (Optional) To save this information to your address book, type an entry name in the Save in Address Book field and then click Save.

  Section 2: Ultimate Consignee

1.   Click Load from Document Templates or Load from Address Book to automatically fill most of the fields in this section from an entry in your address book.

2.   To avoid delays, please check that the following fields contain complete and accurate information.

Name: Type the complete name of the foreign party actually receiving the merchandise for the designated end-use or the party so designated on the export license. Alternatively, fill the information from the Company Name field in your address book. This prints in the section 4a on the SLI.

Address: Type the first line of the address of the foreign party actually receiving the merchandise for the designated end-use or the party so designated on the export license. Alternatively, fill the information from the Address 1 field in your address book. This prints in the section 4a on the SLI.

Address: (Optional) Type the second line of the address of the foreign party actually receiving the merchandise for the designated end-use or the party so designated on the export license. Alternatively, fill the information from the Address 2 field in your address book. This prints in the section 4a on the SLI.

City: Type the city of the foreign party actually receiving the merchandise for the designated end-use or the party so designated on the export license. Alternatively, fill the information from the corresponding field in your address book. This prints in the section 4a on the SLI.

State: (Optional) Type the state or province of the foreign party actually receiving the merchandise for the designated end-use or the party so designated on the export license. Alternatively, fill the information from the State/Province field in your address book. This prints as a two-letter code in the section 4a on the SLI.

Note: For overland shipments to Mexico, you must include the Mexican state in the address.

Postal Code: (Optional) Type the postal or ZIP code of the foreign party actually receiving the merchandise for the designated end-use or the party so designated on the export license. Alternatively, fill the information from the Postal Code field in your address book. This prints in the section 4a on the SLI.

Country: Type the country of the foreign party actually receiving the merchandise for the designated end-use or the party so designated on the export license. Alternatively, fill the information from the corresponding field in your address book. This prints as a two-letter code in the section 4a on the SLI.

Contact Name: (Optional) Type the name of the ultimate consignee contact. Alternatively, fill the information from the corresponding field in your address book. This information prints in the Consignee Contact section on the SLI.

Contact Phone Number: (Optional) Type the telephone number of the ultimate consignee. Alternatively, fill the information from the Contact Phone field in your address book. This information prints in the Consignee Contact section on the SLI.

3.   (Optional) To save this information to your address book, type an entry name in the Save in Address Book field and then click Save.

  Section 3: Intermediate Consignee

1.   Click Load from Document Templates or Load from Address Book to automatically fill most of the fields in this section from an entry in your address book.

2.   To avoid delays, please check that the following fields contain complete and accurate information.

Tip: The intermediate consignee is usually your bank, broker, or agent.

Name: (Optional) Type the complete name of the party who makes delivery of the merchandise to the ultimate consignee or the party so designated on the export license. Alternatively, fill the information from the Company Name field in your address book. This prints in the section 4b on the SLI.

Address: (Optional) Type the first line of the address of the party who makes delivery of the merchandise to the ultimate consignee or the party so designated on the export license. Alternatively, fill the information from the Address 1 field in your address book. This prints in the section 4b on the SLI.

Address: (Optional) Type the second line of the address of the party who makes delivery of the merchandise to the ultimate consignee or the party so designated on the export license. Alternatively, fill the information from the Address 1 field in your address book. This prints in the section 4b on the SLI.

City: (Optional) Type the city of the party who makes delivery of the merchandise to the ultimate consignee or the party so designated on the export license. Alternatively, fill the information from the corresponding field in your address book. This prints in the section 4b on the SLI.

State: (Optional) Type the state or province of the party who makes delivery of the merchandise to the ultimate consignee or the party so designated on the export license. Alternatively, fill the information from the State/Province field in your address book. This prints as a two-letter code in the section 4b on the SLI.

Postal Code: (Optional) Type the postal or ZIP code of the party who makes delivery of the merchandise to the ultimate consignee or the party so designated on the export license. Alternatively, fill the information from the Postal Code field in your address book. This prints in the section 4b on the SLI.

Country: (Optional) Type the country of the party who makes delivery of the merchandise to the ultimate consignee or the party so designated on the export license. Alternatively, fill the information from the corresponding field in your address book. This prints as a two-letter code in the section 4b on the SLI.

Contact Name: (Optional) Type the name of the intermediate consignee contact. Alternatively, fill the information from the corresponding field in your address book.

Contact Phone Number: (Optional) Type the telephone number of the intermediate consignee. Alternatively, fill the information from the Contact Phone field in your address book.

3.   (Optional) To save this information to your address book, type an entry name in the Save in Address Book field and then click Save.

  Section 4: Shipment Information

1.   In the Payor account number field, type the consignee's nine-digit UPS Supply Chain Solutions account number. This must print in the Consignee's Account Number section on the SLI for the consignee to receive and pay the invoice.

Note: If you choose third party billing, type the third party's nine-digit UPS Supply Chain Solutions account number. This must print in the Third-Party Account Number section on the SLI for the automatic third party billing to take place.

2.   Click the Payment Typedropdown arrow dropdown arrow to select the method of payment. Choices include prepaid, collect, or bill to third party. If you choose prepaid, UPS Supply Chain Solutions will mail the invoice to the shipper. If you choose collect, UPS Supply Chain Solutions will mail the invoice to the package recipient. If you choose third party, you must complete the Third Party Billing Information section. This prints in the Form of Payment section on the SLI.

Note: If you do not check a method of payment, the shipper will be liable for the charges.

3.   Click the Servicedropdown arrow dropdown arrow to select the service you want. This prints in the Check Services section on the SLI.

4.   (Optional) For shipments destined to another country, type the amount of shipper's interest insurance you require in the Insurance Amount field. This insures your shipment against all risk of loss or damage in transit. UPS Supply Chain Solutions will assess a charge based on the amount of insurance you requested. This prints in the Shipper Requests Insurance section on the SLI. See the UPS Supply Chain Solutions Terms and Conditions of Contract for more information.

Note: If the insurance value of the shipment is $25,000 USD or more, you must contact the Customer Service desk for a pickup at 1-866--696-3656.

5.   (Optional) Click the Insurance Amountdropdown arrow dropdown arrow to select the currency code that corresponds to the insurance value. This prints in the Shipper Requests Insurance section on the SLI. See Appendix E: Currency Codes for code definitions.

6.   (Optional) In the Declared Value field, type the amount you want to declare for this shipment. This prints in the Declared Value section on the SLI.

Notes:

  • The liability of UPS Supply Chain Solutions for the shipment is limited to its standard liability coverage unless you declare a higher value in the Declared Value box. If you declare a higher value, UPS Supply Chain Solutions will assess an additional charge. For more information, see UPS Supply Chain Solutions Terms and Conditions of Contract.

  • If the Declared Value of the shipment is $25,000 USD or more, you must contact the Customer Service desk for a pickup at 1-866-696-3656 if you are in the US or Canada or your local UPS Supply Chain Solutions office if you are outside North America.

7.   (Optional) Click the Declared Valuedropdown arrow dropdown arrow to select the currency code that corresponds to the declared value. This prints in the Declared Value section on the SLI. See Appendix E: Currency Codes for code definitions.

8.   For shipments destined to another country, type the selling price or replacement cost (even if not sold or for resale) in the Customs Value field. This prints in the Value section on the SLI.

9.   Click the Customs Valuedropdown arrow dropdown arrow to select the currency code that corresponds to the Customs value. This prints in the Value section on the SLI. See Appendix E: Currency Codes for code definitions.

10.  If shipping to or from Canada, type the code for the country or countries in which the shipment were grown, mined, or manufactured in the Country(s) of Original Manufacture boxes. This prints in the Country of Origin section on the SLI.

11.  Click the Hazardous Materialsdropdown arrow dropdown arrow to indicate whether the shipment is hazardous as defined by the United States Department of Transportation. This prints in section 17 on the SLI.

12.  Click the Routed Export Transactiondropdown arrow dropdown arrow to indicate whether the shipment will be routed as an export transaction. Select Yes if the principal party in interest (shipper) authorizes a forwarding or other agent to export the merchandise out of the country. This prints in section 19 on the SLI.

  Section 5: Third Party Billing Information

If you selected the Bill to Third Party payment type, please complete the following information:

1.   Click Load from Document Templates or Load from Address Book to automatically fill most of the fields in this section from an entry in your address book.

2.   To avoid delays, please check that the following fields contain complete and accurate information.

Name: Type the complete name of the third party, or fill the information from the Company Name field in your address book. This prints in the Bill To sectionon the SLI.

Address: Type the first line of the address of the third party, or fill the information from the Address 1 field in your address book. This prints in the Bill To sectionon the SLI.

Address: Type the second line of the address of the third party, or fill the information from the Address 2 field in your address book. This prints in the Bill To sectionon the SLI.

City: Type the city of the third party, or fill the information from the corresponding field in your address book. This prints in the Bill To sectionon the SLI.

State: Type the state of the third party, or fill the information from the State/Province field in your address book. This prints in the Bill To sectionon the SLI.

Note: For shipments to the United States, Canada, and for overland shipments to Mexico, you must include the state in the address.

Postal Code: Type the postal or ZIP code of the third party, or fill the information from the Postal Code field in your address book. This prints in the Bill To sectionon the SLI.

Note: For shipments to the United States and Canada, you must include the state in the address.

Country: Type the country of the third party, or fill the information from the corresponding field in your address book. This prints in the Bill To sectionon the SLI.

3.   (Optional) To save this information to your address book, type an entry name in the Save in Address Book field and then click Save.

  Section 6: Shipment References

1.   In the Shipper's Reference field, type the shipper's reference number. The first 30 characters will print in section 15 on the SLI and on the UPS Supply Chain Solutions invoice.

2.   In the Consignee's Referencefield, type the consignee's reference number. This prints in the Consignee Reference Number field on the SLI. The first 20 characters will print on the UPS Supply Chain Solutions invoice.

  Section 7: Shipment Instructions

1.  (Optional) Check Customs Clearance and/or Delivery to Door if you want these services. These print in the Check Services section on the SLI.

2.   If you selected the Prepaid payment type and the shipper wants to pay for destination fees, click the Delivery Duties (Free Domicile)dropdown arrow dropdown arrow to select Paid (DDP) or Unpaid (DDU). Select Paid (DDP) to pay all destination charges, including duties and taxes. Select Unpaid (DDU) to pay all destination charges except duties and taxes. This prints in the Free Domicile section on the SLI.

3.   (Optional) In the Shipper's Special Instructions list box, add notes related to services or handling instructions. For example, two-person delivery or liftgate required. This prints in the corresponding section on the SLI.

  Section 8: Additional Documents

1.   (Optional) In the Attached Documents section, check the appropriate boxes to indicate the documents you will attach to this SLI. This prints in the Attached section on the SLI.

2.   (Optional) In the Documents to be Prepared section, check the appropriate boxes to indicate the documents you want UPS Supply Chain Solutions to prepare for you at additional cost. These print in the corresponding section on the SLI.

3.   (Optional) In the Other fields, type the names of documents not listed in the Documents to be Prepared list. UPS Supply Chain Solutions can prepare these for you at additional cost. These print in the Documents to be Prepared on the SLI.

  Section 9: Freight Description

1.   (Optional) If you need more than the available 6 line items, type the additional number of lines in the Number of additional items field and then click Add Items. MyFreight will add the additional lines to the Freight Description section.

2.   Click the Unit of Measure dropdown arrow dropdown arrow to select KG/CM (kilograms/centimeters) or LB/IN (pounds/inches).

Note: If you choose LB/IN, MyFreight will convert the weight and dimensions into metric for you.

3.   In the Pieces field, type the number of packages in the shipment. This prints in the PCS field on the SLI.

4.   In the Length, Width, and Height fields, type the dimensions of each piece. Shipments that exceed certain dimensions may be rated by dimensional weight rather than actual weight. These print in centimeters in the L, W, and H fields on the SLI. See Terms and Conditions of Contract for more information.

5.   In the Unit Weight field, type the weight of each piece. MyFreight will total the weights and print the total in kilograms in section 24 on the SLI.

  Section 10: Customs Description

1.   (Optional) If you need more than the available 6 line items, type the additional number of lines in the Number of additional items field and then click Add Items. MyFreight will add the additional lines to the Customs Description section.

2.   Click the D/Fdropdown arrow dropdown arrow to select whether the commodity is a domestic export (D), a foreign export (F), or for foreign military sales (M). This prints in section 21 on the SLI.

Notes:

  • If the goods were manufactured in the United States, select D.

  • If they were manufactured elsewhere, select F.

  • If they are sold under the foreign military sales program, select M.

3.   In the Description field, type the commercial description of the commodity that you are exporting. This prints in section 22 on the SLI.

Note: The United States government requires a description of the commodity that is sufficient to permit verification of the Schedule B commodity number or the commodity description as shown on the validated export license. The description should include marks, numbers, or other identification shown on the packages and the numbers and kinds of packages (boxes, barrels, baskets, etc.).

4.   In the HTS Code field, type the ten-digit commodity number as provided in Schedule B: Statistical Classification of Domestic and Foreign Commodities Exported from the United States. If necessary, you can type the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) number. This prints in section 22 on the SLI.

Note: When two or more items are classified under the same Schedule B number, the Schedule B number should appear only once on the SLI with a single quantity, shipping weight, and value, unless a validated license requires otherwise or the shipment consists of a combination of domestic, foreign, and military merchandise classified under the same Schedule B number.

5.   In the Quantity field, type the whole unit or units in the shipment as specified in the Schedule B commodity classification code. If the units specified on the export license differ, report those units also. These print in section 23 on the SLI.

6.   In the Value field, type the exporter's (principal party in interest) selling price or cost (if not sold) to the foreign principal party in interest. This amount must be equal to or greater than the declared value or insurance amount. Round to the nearest whole dollar. Omit cents. Include freight, insurance, and other charges to the port of export. Exclude unconditional discounts and commissions. Type one value for each Schedule B number. This prints in section 26 on the SLI.

7.   (Optional) In the Currency field, type the currency code. This corresponds to the value field and prints in section 26 on the SLI.

8.   If you selected M for foreign military sales, click the USML Codedropdown arrow dropdown arrow to select the United States Munitions List code. See Appendix L in the DDTC USML Category Codes to verify that the code is valid.

9.   If you selected M for foreign military sales, click the ODTC Unit of Measuredropdown arrow dropdown arrow to select the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls unit of measure. See Appendix W in the DDTC Unit of Measure Codes to verify that the unit of measure is valid.

10.  For United States shipments, click the Significant Military Equipmentdropdown arrow dropdown arrow to indicate whether the listed items warrant special export controls because of their capacity for substantial military utility or capability. See 22 Code of Federal Regulations 121.1 for SME articles.

  Section 11: Authorization

1.   In the License No/Symbol/NLR field, type one of the following for the commodity you are shipping:

a.   Type the License Number when you are exporting under the authority of a Department of Commerce, Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) license, a Department of State, Office of Defense Trade Controls (ODTC) license, a Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) license—either the general or specific OFAC license number, a Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) permit, or any other export license number issued by a Federal government agency.  For the BXA license, type the expiration date of the license on the paper version of the SED only.  

b.   Type the correct License Exception Symbol when the export is under the authority of a License Exception. For example, LVS, GBS, and CIV.

c.   Type the No License Required (NLR) designator when exporting items under the NLR provisions of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR):

i.    When the items you are exporting are subject to the EAR but not listed on the Commerce Control List (CCL). For example, items that are classified as EAR99.

ii.   When the items you are exporting are listed on the CCL but do not require a license.

      This prints in section 27 on the SLI.

2.   In the ECCN field, type the correct Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) given by the US Department of Commerce for:

a.   All exports authorized under a license or License Exception.

b.   Items you are exporting under the "No License Required" (NLR) provisions of the EAR that are listed on the CCL and have a reason for control other than anti-terrorism (AT).

      This prints in section 28 on the SLI.

3.   In the Authorized Officer or Employee field, type the name of the duly authorized officer or employee of the exporter (principal party in interest) that authorizes UPS Supply Chain Solutions to act as the forwarding agent for export control and customs purposes. This is in lieu of a formal power of attorney or written authorization. This prints in section 29 on the SLI.

4.   In the Title or Name for Signature field, type the title or name of the person who will sign the SLI. This prints in section 30 on the SLI.

  Section 12: Terms and Conditions

1.   Click the Terms and Conditions link to read the terms and conditions of contract on the UPS Supply Chain Solutions web site.

2.   Click Terms and Conditions to view the document.

Note: You must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the terms and conditions. If you do not have the Adobe Reader on your computer, click here and follow the instructions to download the software.

3.   Check the I Accept box.

  Section 13: Save or Update SLI Template

1.   (Optional) To save this information to your template, type the Template Name, and then click Save Template.

2.   If you are updating the template, click Yes when you see this message: "Entry with this name already exists. Do you want to overwrite the existing entry with this new information?"

  Section 14: Generate Form

1.   Click Generate Form. The SLI opens in Adobe Acrobat.

Note: You must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the SLI. If you do not have the Adobe Reader on your computer, click here and follow the instructions to download the software.

2.   From Adobe Acrobat, select File and then Print.

3.   Click OK. The SLI prints on your local printer.

3.   In section 30 on the SLI, sign and date the form.

4.  Attach the SLI to your freight.