A Shipping Order, or SO, is a logistics document or carrier instruction that confirms shipment details and authorises cargo movement, container release, or loading arrangements. In ocean freight, a shipping order may include the shipper, consignee, vessel, voyage, cargo description, container details, pickup location, cutoff dates, and booking information. It helps coordinate the movement of goods between the shipper, carrier, terminal, customs broker, and freight forwarder before the cargo is loaded or released for transport.
A Shipping Order (SO) is a document issued by an ocean carrier or NVOCC to the shipper confirming the booking and instructing them to deliver cargo to the designated CFS or CY by the specified cut-off date. It contains the details of the confirmed booking.
- Contains the booking reference, vessel, voyage, CFS cut-off, and CY cut-off dates
- Instructs the shipper or trucker where and when to deliver the cargo
- Required by the CFS or terminal operator as proof of authorized delivery
- Review carefully and deliver cargo exactly as instructed to avoid delays
For related logistics context, see Dedola’s ocean freight shipping services and glossary entries on Booking Confirmation, CFS, Bill of Lading (BOL), and NVOCC.
