Expeditors SLI Completion Guide
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U.S. Shipper’s Letter of Instruction (SLI) Completion Guide
This document is intended only as a general reference for completion of Expeditors’ Shipper’s Letter of Instruction (SLI) form, which
can be used to provide Expeditors with Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing instructions and/or shipping instructions. For
detailed requirements and additional information always consult the Foreign Trade Regulations, located in 15 CFR Part 30, and the
regulations of any other applicable government agency.
U.S. PRINCIPAL PARTY IN INTEREST (USPPI)
The USPPI is defined in 30.1 as the person or legal entity in the United States that receives the primary benefit, monetary or
otherwise, from the export transaction. Generally, that person or entity is the U.S. seller, manufacturer, or order party. Complete all
applicable fields.
Field Name
Description
Regulatory
Citation
Name
Report the name of the USPPI
§30.6(a)(1)(i)
EIN
Report the USPPI’s IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN):
•If the USPPI has only one EIN, report that EIN.
•If the USPPI has more than one EIN, report an EIN that the USPPI also uses to report
employee wages and withholdings, not an EIN used to report only company earnings
or receipts.
§ 30.6(a)(1)(iii)
Address / Cargo
Location
Report the address or location (no post office box number) from which the goods
actually begin the journey to the port of export, even if the USPPI does not own or lease
the facility.
•For shipments with multiple origins, report the address from which the commodity
with the greatest value begins its export journey. If such information is not known,
report the address where the commodities are consolidated for export.
§30.6(a)(1)(ii)
State of Origin
If different from the state reported in the Address/Cargo Location, provide the two-
character postal code for the state in which the goods begin their journey to the port of
export. The state of origin may be different from the U.S. state where the goods were
produced, mined, or grown.
•For shipments of multi-state origin report the U.S. state of the commodity with the
greatest value. If unknown, report the state in which the commodities are
consolidated for export.
§30.6(a)(4)
ULTIMATE CONSIGNEE
The ultimate consignee is defined in 30.1 as the person, party, or designee that is located abroad and actually receives the export
shipment. This party may be the end user or the FPPI. Complete all applicable fields.
Field Name
Description
Regulatory
Citation
Name and
Address
Report the name and address of the ultimate consignee, as known at the time of export.
•For shipments requiring an export license, report the person so designated on the
export license or authorized to be the ultimate consignee under the applicable
license exemption or exception in conformance with the EAR or ITAR, as applicable.
•For goods sold en route, mark the “Sold En Route” checkbox in Section 4 and report
actual ultimate consignee information as soon as it is known.
§30.6(a)(3)
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2
Instructional documents such as this Guide are compiled from a number of public sources that, to the best of our knowledge, are true and
correct. It is our intent to present only accurate information. However, in the event any information contained herein is erroneous,
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. accepts no liability or responsibility. ©2016 Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
Field Name
Description
Regulatory
Citation
Consignee Type
Provide the business function of the ultimate consignee that most often applies. If more
than one type applies to the ultimate consignee, report the type that applies most often.
•Direct Consumer: A non-government institution, enterprise, or company that will
consume or use the exported good as a consumable, for its own internal processes,
as an input to the production of another good or as machinery or equipment that is
part of a manufacturing process or a provision of services and will not resell or
distribute the good.
•Reseller: A non-government reseller, retailer, wholesaler, distributor, distribution
center or trading company.
•Government Entity: A government-owned or government-controlled agency,
institution, enterprise, or company.
•Other/Unknown: An entity that is not a Direct Consumer, Government Entity or
Reseller, or whose ultimate consignee type is not known at the time of export.
§30.6(a)(28)
Country of
Ultimate
Destination
If different from the country reported with the ultimate consignee address, provide the
country in which goods are to be consumed, further processed, stored, or manufactured
as known at the time of export.
•For shipments under an export license or license exemption/exception report the
country of ultimate destination as shown on the license or authorized by the
exemption/exception. In the case of a Department of State license, the country of
ultimate destination is the country specified with respect to the end user. For goods
licensed by other government agencies, refer to their specific requirements
concerning providing country of destination information.
•For goods to be sold en route, report the country of the first port of call and then
report corrected information as soon as it is known.
Note that the country to which the goods are being shipped is not the country of
ultimate destination if the USPPI has knowledge at the time the goods leave the United
States that they are intended for reexport or transshipment in their present form to
another known country.
§30.6(a)(5)
FPPI Name
The Foreign Principal Party in Interest (FPPI) is the party abroad who purchases the
goods for export or to whom final delivery or end-use of the goods will be made. If the
ultimate consignee is not the FPPI, provide the name of the FPPI.
§30.1
Other: Required
Contains miscellaneous fields which are required for all shipments. Complete all fields.
Field Name
Description
Regulatory
Citation
Related Parties?
Indicate whether the USPPI and ultimate consignee are related.
•
Either party owns directly or indirectly 10 percent or more of the other party.
§30.6(a)(10)
Routed Export
Transaction?
Indicate whether or not the shipment is a routed export transaction.
•Routed Export Transaction: A transaction in which the FPPI authorizes a U.S. agent
to facilitate export of items from the United States on its behalf and prepare and file
the EEI.
§30.3(e) &
§30.6(a)(24)
Hazardous
Materials?
Indicate whether or not the shipment contains hazardous materials (dangerous goods)
as defined by the Department of Transportation.
§30.6(a)(21) &
49 CFR Parts 100-
180 [DOT]
3
Instructional documents such as this Guide are compiled from a number of public sources that, to the best of our knowledge, are true and
correct. It is our intent to present only accurate information. However, in the event any information contained herein is erroneous,
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. accepts no liability or responsibility. ©2016 Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
Other: Conditional
Contains miscellaneous fields that are conditional and therefore may be required dependent on the particular shipment. Complete
those fields that apply.
Field Name
Description
Regulatory
Citation
Intermediate
Consignee Name
and Address
Report the name and address of the intermediate consignee:
•Intermediate Consignee: The person or entity in the foreign country who acts as an
agent for the principal party in interest or ultimate consignee with the purpose of
effecting delivery of items to the ultimate consignee.
•For shipments under an export license, the intermediate consignee is the person
named as such on the export license or authorized to act as such under the
applicable general license and in conformity with the Export Administration
Regulations (EAR).
§30.6(b)(2)
FTZ Identifier
If the goods are removed from a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) and not entered for
consumption, report the unique 7-digit alphanumeric identifier assigned by the Foreign
Trade Zone Board that identifies the FTZ, subzone and site from which goods are
withdrawn for export.
•The first 3 positions must be numeric and represent the general purpose zone (i.e.,
124 or 022)
•The next 2 positions are alphanumeric and represent the subzone (i.e., 0G)
•
The last 2 positions are alphanumeric and represent the site (i.e., 01)
§30.6(b)(3)
Entry Number
Provide the import entry number when the export transaction is used as proof of export
for import transactions; e.g. Drawbacks, Temporary Import Under Bond (TIB), ITAR
license exemption 123.4(a); or, provide the inbond entry number when goods are
withdrawn from a bonded warehouse or FTZ for export.
§30.6(b)(13)
Used Vehicle(s)
Indicate if the export shipment contains used vehicles.
•Used Vehicle: Any self-propelled vehicle where the equitable or legal title to which
has been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to an ultimate
purchaser.
•If the shipment contains used vehicles, provide the Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)/Product ID, vehicle title number, and vehicle title state code separately.
*Note that exports of used vehicles have additional documentation and inspection
requirements. See CBP’s Exporting a Motor Vehicle guide for additional information.
§30.6(b)(9)-(12)
& 19 CFR Parts
192.1-192.4
Sold En Route
Indicate if the goods are to be sold en route to their destination and the Ultimate
Consignee is unknown. Note that the actual ultimate consignee name and address must
be provided within four (4) days of EEI transmission in order to amend the EEI timely.
§30.6(a)(3)
License Determination
Dependent on a number of factors, including the destination and type of commodities, an export shipment may or may
not require a license. A license determination is required for all exports. If a license or license exception/exemption
applies, additional related fields may become available in section 3 and 7 and are also required, where applicable.
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Instructional documents such as this Guide are compiled from a number of public sources that, to the best of our knowledge, are true and
correct. It is our intent to present only accurate information. However, in the event any information contained herein is erroneous,
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. accepts no liability or responsibility. ©2016 Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
Field Name
Description
Regulatory
Citation
License or
License
Exception/Exem-
ption Type
Indicate if the shipment does not require a license or, if the shipment is exporting under
the authority of a government agency license or license exception/exemption, indicate
which type applies.
NLR: No License Required.
BIS: Bureau of Industry and Security, Dept. of Commerce. Select if the goods are subject
to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and a license or license exception applies.
DDTC: Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, Dept. of State. Select if the goods are
subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and a license or license
exemption applies.
OFAC: Office of Foreign Assets Control, Dept. of Treasury. Select if an OFAC specific or
general license applies.
NRC: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Select if an NRC specific license (Form 250/250A)
or general license applies.
Other: Select if a license or license exception/exemption not covered above applies, for
example Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) or Dept. of Energy. Also referred to as
Other Partnership Agency (OPA).
Multiple: Select if multiple license or license exception/exemption types apply to the
shipment. Provide the applicable license information for each commodity in section 7.
§30.6(a)(23) & §
30.6(b)(5)
See also the laws
and regulations of
the relevant
export control
agency
License Number
or CFR Citation
If a license or license exception/exemption applies, provide the license number, permit
number, or CFR citation under which the shipment is authorized to export.
§30.6(b)(5)
DDTC
Registration
number
If a DDTC license or license exemption applies, provide the registration number assigned
to the exporter by the DDTC.
§30.6(b)(15)(i) &
22 CFR Part 122
DDTC Eligible
Party
Certification
Indicator
If a DDTC license exemption applies, certify whether the U.S. exporter is an eligible party
to participate in defense trade. If the exporter is not eligible, the shipment cannot be
exported without such authorization.
§30.6(b)(15)(iii) &
22 CFR Part
120.1(c)
Special Instructions
Provide any special instructions or additional information as needed.
Commodity Information
Provide the applicable commodity line-level information. Up to six commodity lines may be reported on one SLI. Use
additional SLI pages if more commodity lines apply, or provide the information separately.
Field Name
Description
Regulatory
Citation
Origin
Indicate if the goods are of domestic or foreign origin. Report foreign goods separately
from goods of domestic production even if the commodity classification number is the
same.
D: Domestic - Commodities that are grown, produced, or manufactured (including
commodities incorporating foreign components) in the United States and those articles
of foreign origin that have been enhanced in value or changed from the form in which
they were originally imported by further manufacture or processing in the United States.
F: Foreign - Commodities that are grown, produced, or manufactured in foreign
countries that entered the United States and that have undergone no change in form or
condition or enhancement in value by further manufacture in the United States.
§30.6(a)(11)
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Instructional documents such as this Guide are compiled from a number of public sources that, to the best of our knowledge, are true and
correct. It is our intent to present only accurate information. However, in the event any information contained herein is erroneous,
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. accepts no liability or responsibility. ©2016 Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
Field Name
Description
Regulatory
Citation
Commodity
Description
A description of the goods shipped in sufficient detail to permit verification of the
Schedule B or HTSUSA number, including any characteristics that distinguish it from
commodities of the same name covered by other classifications.
•If authorized by an export license, the description reported in the EEI should
conform with that shown on the license.
§30.6(a)(13)
Schedule B or
HTS
Report the 10-digit commodity classification number as provided in the Schedule B or
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUSA).
§30.6(a)(12)
ECCN or USML
Category
For commodities subject to the EAR, advise if EAR99 or report the Export Control
Classification Number (ECCN) used to identify items on the Commerce Control List (CCL),
Supplement No. 1 to Part 774. The ECCN is required if:
•Goods are being exported under a BIS license or license exception; or
•Goods are classified on the CCL, have a reason for control other than Anti-Terrorism
(AT) and are being exported as NLR.
For commodities subject to the ITAR, report the U.S. Munitions List (USML) category.
§30.6(b)(6)
Or
§30.6(b)(15)(iv) &
22 CFR Part 121
Quantity / UOM
Report the total quantity and corresponding unit of measure (UOM) specified in the
Schedule B or HTSUSA. Where the unit of measure is in terms of weight (grams,
kilograms, etc…), the quantity should reflect the net weight.
§30.6(a)(14)-(15)
& § 30.6(b)(7)-(8)
Gross Weight
Report the gross weight, which includes the weight of the commodity as well as the
weight of normal packaging, such as boxes, crates, barrels, etc… Also specify if the
weight is in kilograms (KG) or pounds (LBS).
•If the gross weight is not available for each item, report the approximate weight for
each item where the total of these estimated weights equals the actual gross weight
of the entire shipment.
§30.6(a)(16)
Export Value
Generally, the value to be reported is the selling price (or the cost, if the goods are not
sold), plus inland or domestic freight, insurance, and other charges to the U.S. seaport,
airport, or land border port of export. Cost of goods is the sum of expenses incurred in
the acquisition or production of the goods. Consult the regulations for additional
information.
§30.6(a)(17)
Lic# / CFR
If the Multiple license or license exception/exemption type was selected, provide the
license number, permit number, or CFR citation under which the commodity is
authorized to export.
§30.6(b)(5)
SME
If the DDTC license or license exemption type was selected, indicate if the commodity is
considered Significant Military Equipment.
•SME: A term used to designate articles on the USML for which special export
controls are warranted because of their capacity for substantial military utility or
capability.
§30.6(b)(15)(ii),
22 CFR Parts
120.7 & 121.1
DDTC Qty/UOM
If the DDTC license or license exemption type was selected, report the total number of
units being shipped and the corresponding UOM code, as described on the export
authorization or declared under an ITAR exemption.
§30.6(b)(15)(v)-
(vi)
License Value
If the commodity requires a BIS Export License or DDTC License, provide its license value.
The license value is the value that corresponds to the commodity being exported, not
including any overhead like domestic freight, insurance or other charges.
§30.6(a)(28)
Transportation
If Expeditors is not acting as the U.S. forwarding agent responsible for export transportation, provide the required
transportation data elements in the fields located on the left side of this section. If Expeditors is acting as the U.S.
forwarding agent, shipping instructions can be provided via the fields on the left and right side of this section.
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Instructional documents such as this Guide are compiled from a number of public sources that, to the best of our knowledge, are true and
correct. It is our intent to present only accurate information. However, in the event any information contained herein is erroneous,
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. accepts no liability or responsibility. ©2016 Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
Field Name
Description
Regulatory
Citation
Method of
Transportation
Report the means by which the goods are to be exported from the United States (Air,
Ocean, Truck or Rail).
•For transshipments through Canada or Mexico, the mode of transportation is the
mode of the carrier transporting the goods out of the United States.
§30.6(a)(6)
Date of Export
Report the date when the shipment is scheduled to leave the port of export on the
exporting carrier that is taking the goods out of the United States.
§30.6(a)(2)
Inbond Code
Provide the applicable code indicating whether the shipment is being transported under
bond.
70: Merchandise NOT shipped inbond
36: Warehouse withdrawal for Immediate Export (IE)
37: Warehouse withdrawal for Transportation and Export (TE)
67: Foreign Trade Zone withdrawal for Immediate Export (IE)
68: Foreign Trade Zone withdrawal for Transportation and Export (TE)
•An Entry Number MUST be reported in section 4 if an Inbond Code of other than 70
is claimed.
•
An FTZ Identifier MUST be reported in section 4 if Inbond Code 67 or 68 is claimed.
§30.6(a)(22)
Transportation
Reference
Number
If required, report the reservation number assigned by the carrier to hold space on the
conveyance for the cargo being export.
•Ocean: Report the booking number (Required).
•Air: Report the air waybill number (Optional).
•Truck: Report the freight or pro bill number. For multimodal shipments, the freight
or pro bill number correlates to a bill of lading number, air waybill number or trip
number (Optional).
•Rail: Report the bill of lading (BL) number (Optional).
§30.6(b)(14)
Exporting Carrier
Report the name of the carrier transporting the goods out of the United States as known
at the time of exportation. Alternatively, provide their Standard Carrier Alpha Code
(SCAC) for ocean, truck and rail shipments or the International Air Transport Association
(IATA) designator code for air shipments.
§30.6(a)(7)-(8)
Port of Export
Provide the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) port of export.
•Ocean/Air: The port where the goods are loaded on the carrier transporting them
out of the United States. For goods off-loaded from the original conveyance to
another conveyance (even if the aircraft or vessel belongs to the same carrier), the
port where the goods were loaded on the last conveyance before going foreign is
the port of export.
•Truck/Rail: The port where the shipment crosses the U.S. border into Canada or
Mexico.
§30.6(a)(9)
Port of Unlading
If required, provide the foreign port of unlading.
•Ocean shipments between the U.S. and foreign countries: Foreign port at which the
goods will be unloaded from the exporting carrier.
•Ocean and air shipments between the U.S. and Puerto Rico: Port at which the goods
will be unloaded from the exporting carrier.
•
All other: Not applicable.
§30.6(b)(4)
Vessel Name
Report the name of the vessel transporting the goods out of the United States.
§30.6(a)(7)
Charges
Indicate which charges (Freight, Origin Cost, Duty, Tax and Customs) are to be prepaid by
the shipper and which are to be collected from the consignee. Note that shipper is liable
for payment of collect freight charges in the event that a shipment cannot be delivered
as addressed or in the event that the consignee shall refuse to accept delivery.
Mode
Indicate whether the shipment can be consolidated under a House Air Waybill/Bill of
Lading or should be shipped direct under a Air Waybill/Bill of Lading issued by the carrier.
Service Type
Indicate the transportation service type being requested (Port to Port, Port to Door, Door
to Port or Door to Door).
Instructional documents such as this Guide are compiled from a number of public sources that, to the best of our knowledge, are true and
correct. It is our intent to present only accurate information. However, in the event any information contained herein is erroneous,
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. accepts no liability or responsibility. ©2016 Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
Field Name
Description
Regulatory
Citation
Bill of Lading Type For Ocean exports only, indicate whether an original bill of lading or a sea waybill should
be issued.
In Case of
Inability to
Deliver
Indicate what should be done in case of inability to deliver to the intended consignee.
Insurance
If you want to purchase insurance for this shipment, you may do so here. Additionally, if you do not wish to accept the
limits on the carrier’s legal liability, you also have the opportunity to set a higher declared value for carriage.
Field Name
Description
Regulatory
Citation
Insurance
Requested
Indicate whether you wish to purchase insurance protection for this shipment.
Amount of
Insurance
If you wish to purchase insurance, enter the amount of insurance coverage you are
seeking. An additional charge applies for this insurance coverage. Quotations and policy
language are available upon request.
Declared Value
for Carriage
If you do not wish to accept the limits on the carrier’s legal liability, you have the
opportunity to set a higher value for carriage and thereby agreeing to pay the applicable
additional cost of transportation. Declaring a higher value is not the same as purchasing
all risk insurance. If you wish to have the ability to be made financially whole, please
purchase “all-risk” insurance coverage for your shipment.
Authorization
The SLI must be signed by a duly authorized representative of the USPPI/shipper if either of the below conditions apply:
•A separate Power of Attorney (POA) has not been provided and you wish to give Expeditors the authority to prepare
and complete any export documents or submit Electronic Export Information (EEI) that may be required in
connection with this shipment.
•The shipment contains air cargo and Expeditors is responsible for transportation. Per TSA regulations, screening is
required for all air cargo moving on passenger planes originating from United States airports.
By signing the SLI you are agreeing only to the statement(s) which apply to your shipment.
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Instructional documents such as this Guide are compiled from a number of public sources that, to the best of our knowledge, are true and
correct. It is our intent to present only accurate information. However, in the event any information contained herein is erroneous,
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. accepts no liability or responsibility. ©2016 Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
