Shipping Order (S/O)

A Shipping Order (S/O) is an important document issued by a shipping company or its agent to the shipper, instructing the captain or chief mate to receive specified cargo for loading. It is usually filled out by the shipper and becomes effective after confirmation by the shipping company, and is a required document for customs declaration, loading, and exchanging for the Bill of Lading. Usage scenarios mainly include: after the exporter books space, the shipping company issues the S/O, and the shipper uses it to deliver the cargo to the designated terminal for loading; after loading is completed, the chief mate signs the S/O to confirm, and the shipper then uses it to exchange for the shipped Bill of Lading. Precautions: The information on the S/O (such as vessel name, voyage number, cargo name, quantity, port of destination) must be consistent with the customs declaration and the Bill of Lading; otherwise, customs clearance and settlement of foreign exchange may be affected; the S/O usually has a submission deadline, and if it is overdue, space must be rebooked. Differences from other terms: The S/O is different from the Bill of Lading (B/L); the former is a loading instruction, while the latter is a document of title; it is also different from the Mate's Receipt, which is the receipt after the chief mate signs for acceptance. Foreign trade practitioners need to keep the S/O properly, as it is a key basis for subsequent operations.