Automated Export System

The Automated Export System (AES) is the system used by U.S. exporters to electronically declare of their international exports, known as Electronic Export Information (EEI), to the Census Bureau to help compile U.S. export and trade statistics. This information is also shared with the Bureau of Industry and Security, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, and other Federal agencies involved in monitoring and validating U.S. exports.^[1] Formerly, this declaration was only made by the paper Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) form.

Currently, an exporter can file the EEI electronically to the AES using the AESDirect online website, the AESPCLink software, or other AES-compatible applications. After a EEI/SED is successfully filed and processed, the shipper will receive an Internal Transaction Number (ITN) to put on the shipping documents, as a confirmation to any government agent inspecting the cargo prior to departure.

In most cases, a shipper can also authorize their freight forwarder, courier company, or another third-party logistics agent to file their EEI on their behalf.

Requirements

An EEI/SED is generally required when any one commodity on a given shipment exceeds $2500 in value. It is also required, regardless of value, if the product(s) are being shipped to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan or Syria; requires an export license or permit; is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR); or contains rough diamonds.

A commodity that is shipping from the U.S. to Canada that exceeds $2500 in value is generally not required to have a EEI/SED, but only if it does not need an export license or permit; is not subject to the ITAR, and it does not contain rough diamonds.

Shipments going back and forth between one of the 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico must be treated like any other "international export" under the EEI/SED requirements. On the other hand, cargo headed to American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and most of the other U.S. territories are treated as "domestic" and do not need an EEI/SED. The U.S. Virgin Islands is a special case: shipments from that territory to either the U.S. mainland or Puerto Rico are treated as "domestic", but cargo headed in the other direction is treated as "international".

Information collected

Among the data that is required to file an EEI/SED includes the following:

• The U.S. Principal Party in Interest (USPPI): the name and address of the principle seller or party based in the U.S. that is receiving the benefits from the shipment.
• The Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of the USPPI.
• The ultimate consignee: the name and address of the party that is ultimately receiving the shipment.
• Whether the USPPI and the ultimate consignee are "related" companies: if one party owns directly or indirectly at least 10 percent of the other.
• The country of destination
• The departure date: the date of the export out of the country
• The origin state: the primary U.S. state where the shipment is originating from. If commodities originating from different warehouses are being consolidated into one shipment, then it is either the state whose warehouse has the commodity of greatest value, or the state where all the consolidation is being performed.
• The mode of transportation: whether by air, vessel, rail, or by truck.
• The port of export: the airport, seaport, or port of entry where the shipment will actually be taken out of the United States. This is represented by a 4-digit "Port Code". This does not mean the closet port from the originating warehouse. For example, if cargo from Denver would have to be put on a direct international flight from San Francisco to Tokyo, the port of export would then be the San Francisco Airport instead of the Denver Airport.
• Whether it is a "Routed Transaction": if the U.S. Freight Forwarder or other U.S. agent is authorized to facilitate the export of items, prepare and file the EEI on the parties' behalf.
• Whether the shipment contains hazardous materials.
• A description of each of the commodities being shipped, including their Harmonized Tariff Schedule code, weight, customs value, quantity, and if any require an export license or permit.

References

External links

• AESDirect
• Automated Export System (AES)