Census Asks for Participants in AES Pilot Program Designed to Replace Postdeparture Filing
The Census Bureau, in conjunction with CBP, is beginning a pilot program to evaluate a new Automated Export System (AES) filing option that may replace postdeparture filing if the pilot program is successful, and is asking for applications from exporters to participate. The Advance Export Information (AEI) pilot is a voluntary program where participants submit limited Electronic Export Information (EEI) before export, and then file the rest of their EEI within five days after the date of export.
The current AES postdeparture filing program does not provide shipment information until after a shipment has left, which does not permit adequate screening of exports, said Census. Government officials have said they need to get rid of the postdeparture program altogether (see 12061331). The AEI pilot is a sort of "middle ground," and is similar to the old AES Option 3 filing, Census has said (see 12120602).
Some EEI Required Before Export; Rest of EEI Filed Within Five Days
According to Census, the AEI program would provide the necessary information to permit CBP and other government agencies to conduct export enforcement and compliance objectives, but at the same time permit U.S. exporters to ship commodities while some details remain unknown. Mandatory AEI data elements that Census will require before export are as follows:
- U.S. Principal Party in Interest (USPPI) and USPPI identification
- Name of the USPPI
- Address of the USPPI
- USPPI identification number
- Contact information
- Ultimate consignee
- Commodity classification number
- Commodity description
- Port of export
- Date of export
- Carrier identification
- Conveyance name/carrier name
- License code/license exemption code
- Shipment reference number.
The conditional AEI data elements are as follows:
- Authorized agent's identification number (if an authorized agent is used to prepare and file the EEI)
- Export Control Classification Number (ECCN)
Census said it chose these data elements for advance filing because it found in meetings with exporters that this information is commonly known prior to export. The rest of an export shipment's EEI would then be filed within five calendar days of the date of export, just like with current postdeparture filing.
Eligible Exporters for Pilot Must Have Ten Shipments per Month
Exporters may submit applications for the pilot program until April 1. All exporters that have 12 months of export reporting history and report a minimum of ten shipments per month are eligible to apply. Only U.S. Principal Parties in Interest are eligible. Authorized agents may not participate beyond filing on behalf of an exporter approved for participation in the pilot, said Census. Current postdeparture filers are not automatically approved for the pilot, and must submit an application if they wish to participate. Exporters approved for participation by Census will then have 60 days, following notification of their approval, to have their systems ready and able to transmit live AEI pilot data to AES.
To continue their participation in the pilot, exporters will have to file a minimum of ten shipments per months within the pilot, said Census. Commodities controlled under Bureau of Industry and Security ECCNs will not be eligible for AEI filing, except for those ECCNs specifically authorized for postdeparture filing. Any export shipment that requires a government license, as well as any shipment that is required to be filed predeparture, is not eligible for AEI filing under the pilot, said Census.
Those interested in obtaining further information, should contact Census Bureau Chief of the Foreign Trade Division, Nick Orsini, at (301) 763-6959 or nick.orsini@census.gov.
(Federal Register 01/31/14)