When sending an international shipment with values of $2,500.00 or more, U.S Customs requires additional documentation. As a standard rule, if your company exports goods valued at more than $2,500 to anywhere other than Canada, the shipment destination is Iran, Sudan, or Syria, or contains goods that require an export license, the FTR requires that you or your agent file through AES. The information below will go over the definitions and how to file the EEI.
Definitions
ACE: The Automated Commercial Environment is the system through which the trade community reports imports and exports, and the government determines admissibility.
AES: The Automated Export System is the system US exporters use to electronically declare their international exports.
EEI: The Electronic Export Information is the information that is to the Census Bureau to help compile U.S. export and trade statistics.
EIN: An Employer Identification Number is like a Social Security number (SSN) for your business. The unique nine-digit EIN number allows the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify businesses for tax reporting.
ITN: The Internal Transaction Number is the number assigned to a shipment confirming that the AES accepted the EEI and has it on file. You will need to provide the ITN number from the EEI submission to avoid delays or returns by customs or the carrier.
How to File EEI
Preliminary Steps for First-time Filers
ACE AESDirect requires each mailer to have an employer identification number (EIN) and an ACE Exporter Account. Therefore, a first-time filer must complete the following steps:
Obtain an EIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at IRS EIN Assistant Note: A shipper does not have to be an employer to apply for an EIN.
Set up an ACE Exporter Account on the website at Applying for an ACE Secure Data Portal Account
Under “Applying for an Account,” in Step 3, select the option for “Exporters: Apply here” to complete and submit the online form. Note: For account verification purposes, the “Shared Secret Value” is the “User ID.”
Filing the EEI
After you have obtained an EIN and have established an ACE Exporter Account, complete the following steps:
Log into your ACE Exporter Account at https://ace.cbp.dhs.gov/
Select the “Accounts” Tab
Select “Exporter” from the pulldown menu on the left-hand side. Select “Go”
Select “Submit AESDirect Filings”.
If this is your first time accessing the ACE AESDirect portal. you must read and check all Certification boxes and click “Submit” to proceed.
Select “Create Export Filing”.
Select “Step 1: Shipment” Complete all of the shipment details as required. Continue to complete all of the shipment details for Step 2: Parties, Step 3: Commodities, and Step 4: Transportation.
After completing the information for your shipment, click “Submit Filing”
Once processed, the system will provide your response from AES.
After filing the EEI, AESDirect will provide an Internal Transaction Number (ITN), which must be included on your customs forms.
Enter the ITN Number in XPS Ship
Complete the shipment details with the Sender & Receiver, Carrier, Package Type, Weight, etc. Within the shipment details section enter the ITN number in the corresponding field.