GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 23, 2026

Electronic Shipping Instructions

Electronic Shipping Instructions (ESI) give the shipper a direct digital channel to transmit all transport-relevant details – addresses, weight, dimensions, dangerous goods data, and handling requirements – to the carrier or freight forwarder without any paper handoff.

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Last updated: 23 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.searates.com/blog/electronic-shipping-instructions/

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Definition & Explanation

Electronic Shipping Instructions (ESI) give the shipper a direct digital channel to transmit all transport-relevant details – addresses, weight, dimensions, dangerous goods data, and handling requirements – to the carrier or freight forwarder without any paper handoff. They feed directly into EDI or carrier portal systems, eliminating the transcription errors that routinely cause corrections and delays in paper-based workflows. In ocean freight, ESI serve as the primary input for bill of lading generation; carriers typically specify accepted formats such as EDIFACT or proprietary web portals. For cross-border shipments, ESI are increasingly a prerequisite for automated customs filing. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with shipping order or booking confirmation, though ESI specifically refers to the structured data instruction rather than the commercial agreement.

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