diff --git a/docs/faq.rst b/docs/faq.rst
index dce94b7..6d87661 100644
--- a/docs/faq.rst
+++ b/docs/faq.rst
@@ -111,6 +111,38 @@
 dependency. This workaround will be available until the feature is fully
 removed.
 
+Why can't I import my PEM file?
+-------------------------------
+
+PEM is a format (defined by several RFCs, but originally :rfc:`1421`) for
+encoding keys, certificates and others cryptographic data into a regular form.
+The data is encoded as base64 and wrapped with a header and footer.
+
+If you are having trouble importing PEM files, make sure your file fits
+the following rules:
+
+* has a one-line header like this: ``-----BEGIN [FILE TYPE]-----``
+  (where ``[FILE TYPE]`` is ``CERTIFICATE``, ``PUBLIC KEY``, ``PRIVATE KEY``,
+  etc.)
+
+* has a one-line footer like this: ``-----END [FILE TYPE]-----``
+
+* all lines, except for the final one, must consist of exactly 64
+  characters.
+
+For example, this is a PEM file for a RSA Public Key: ::
+
+   -----BEGIN PUBLIC KEY-----
+   MIIBIjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOCAQ8AMIIBCgKCAQEA7CsKFSzq20NLb2VQDXma
+   9DsDXtKADv0ziI5hT1KG6Bex5seE9pUoEcUxNv4uXo2jzAUgyRweRl/DLU8SoN8+
+   WWd6YWik4GZvNv7j0z28h9Q5jRySxy4dmElFtIRHGiKhqd1Z06z4AzrmKEzgxkOk
+   LJjY9cvwD+iXjpK2oJwNNyavvjb5YZq6V60RhpyNtKpMh2+zRLgIk9sROEPQeYfK
+   22zj2CnGBMg5Gm2uPOsGDltl/I/Fdh1aO3X4i1GXwCuPf1kSAg6lPJD0batftkSG
+   v0X0heUaV0j1HSNlBWamT4IR9+iJfKJHekOqvHQBcaCu7Ja4kXzx6GZ3M2j/Ja3A
+   2QIDAQAB
+   -----END PUBLIC KEY-----
+
+
 .. _`NaCl`: https://nacl.cr.yp.to/
 .. _`PyNaCl`: https://pynacl.readthedocs.io
 .. _`WSGIApplicationGroup`: https://modwsgi.readthedocs.io/en/develop/configuration-directives/WSGIApplicationGroup.html
diff --git a/src/cryptography/hazmat/backends/openssl/backend.py b/src/cryptography/hazmat/backends/openssl/backend.py
index fda6293..b2fdf78 100644
--- a/src/cryptography/hazmat/backends/openssl/backend.py
+++ b/src/cryptography/hazmat/backends/openssl/backend.py
@@ -1141,7 +1141,10 @@
         )
         if x509 == self._ffi.NULL:
             self._consume_errors()
-            raise ValueError("Unable to load certificate")
+            raise ValueError(
+                "Unable to load certificate. See https://cryptography.io/en/la"
+                "test/faq/#why-can-t-i-import-my-pem-file for more details."
+            )
 
         x509 = self._ffi.gc(x509, self._lib.X509_free)
         return _Certificate(self, x509)
@@ -1163,7 +1166,10 @@
         )
         if x509_crl == self._ffi.NULL:
             self._consume_errors()
-            raise ValueError("Unable to load CRL")
+            raise ValueError(
+                "Unable to load CRL. See https://cryptography.io/en/la"
+                "test/faq/#why-can-t-i-import-my-pem-file for more details."
+            )
 
         x509_crl = self._ffi.gc(x509_crl, self._lib.X509_CRL_free)
         return _CertificateRevocationList(self, x509_crl)
@@ -1185,7 +1191,10 @@
         )
         if x509_req == self._ffi.NULL:
             self._consume_errors()
-            raise ValueError("Unable to load request")
+            raise ValueError(
+                "Unable to load request. See https://cryptography.io/en/la"
+                "test/faq/#why-can-t-i-import-my-pem-file for more details."
+            )
 
         x509_req = self._ffi.gc(x509_req, self._lib.X509_REQ_free)
         return _CertificateSigningRequest(self, x509_req)