Automated export system
Encyclopedia
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. 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.
, 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".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
exporters to electronically declare of their international exports, known as Electronic Export Information (EEI), to the Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
to help compile U.S. export and trade statistics. This information is also shared with the Bureau of Industry and Security
Bureau of Industry and Security
The Bureau of Industry and Security is an agency of the United States Department of Commerce which deals with issues involving national security and high technology. A principal goal for the bureau is helping stop proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, while furthering the growth of United...
, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls
Directorate of Defense Trade Controls
Bureau of Political Military Affairs' Directorate of Defense Trade Controls is the organization within the U.S. Department of State responsible for enforcing the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. In accordance with 22. U.S.C...
, and other Federal agencies involved in monitoring and validating U.S. exports. 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
Freight forwarder
A freight forwarder, forwarder, or forwarding agent is a person or company that organizes shipments for individuals or other companies and may also act as a carrier...
, courier
Courier
A courier is a person or a company who delivers messages, packages, and mail. Couriers are distinguished from ordinary mail services by features such as speed, security, tracking, signature, specialization and individualization of express services, and swift delivery times, which are optional for...
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 CubaCuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
, Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
or Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
; requires an export license or permit; is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations
International Traffic in Arms Regulations
International Traffic in Arms Regulations is a set of United States government regulations that control the export and import of defense-related articles and services on the United States Munitions List...
(ITAR); or contains rough diamonds.
A commodity that is shipping from the U.S. to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
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
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
must be treated like any other "international export" under the EEI/SED requirements. On the other hand, cargo headed to American Samoa
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
, Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, Northern Mariana Islands
Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, occupying a strategic region of the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines...
, 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. stateU.S. stateA U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
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 entryPort of entryIn general, a port of entry is a place where one may lawfully enter a country. It typically has a staff of people who check passports and visas and inspect luggage to assure that contraband is not imported. International airports are usually ports of entry, as are road and rail crossings on a...
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 TokyoTokyo, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, 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 materialsDangerous goodsDangerous goods are solids, liquids, or gases that can harm people, other living organisms, property, or the environment. They are often subject to chemical regulations. "HazMat teams" are personnel specially trained to handle dangerous goods...
. - A description of each of the commodities being shipped, including their Harmonized Tariff ScheduleHarmonized Tariff Schedule for the United StatesThe Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is the primary resource for determining tariff classifications for goods imported into the United States . This two volume U.S...
code, weight, customs value, quantity, and if any require an export license or permit.