SI
DocumentationShipping Instructions
The details the shipper sends the carrier or forwarder to prepare the bill of lading.
In practice
Includes shipper, consignee, notify party, cargo description, marks, container and seal numbers, weights, and freight terms. Must be submitted before the SI cut-off. Errors here become errors on the B/L and are costly to amend after sailing.
Seen in the wild
SI cut-off is Tuesday 1200. Please send final SI including HS codes by Monday.
Watch out
SI is also used for System Integrator in IT contexts, but in freight it is always shipping instructions.