see also: in Automated Export System (AES):   About AES   Foreign Trade Regulations - Automated Export System Requirements   CBP-FTR FAQs (doc - 104 KB.)   AES Technical Documentation   Updates and Notices to the Trade   AES Calendar of Events ...more on cbp.gov:   AES Trade Interface Requirements (AESTIR)   Letter of Intent (LOI) Form - Commodity Data (SED) on the web:   AES Departure Filing Review Process   AESDirect   AESDirect Online Training

Easy Steps for AES Participation

(11/26/2007)Getting Started
The Automated Export System (AES) is the paperless way to file the Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED) and the ocean manifest information directly to CBP. These instructions provide a brief description of how to get started in AES.

AES Application Process

Step 1 - File Letter of Intent
The Letter of Intent (LOI) provides basic company profile information and sets forth a commitment to develop, maintain and adhere to CBP and Census performance requirements and operational standards. The LOI may be submitted online. ( Letter of Intent (LOI) Form - Commodity Data (SED) )

Once your LOI is received, a CBP client representative and a Census Bureau client representative will contact you to discuss your implementation method and to assist and support you as an AES participant.

AESDirect users should not file a LOI. The registration process fulfills the requirement to file a LOI. Information on AESDirect, the Census Bureau’s free Internet application and its enhancements, is available at http://www.aesdirect.gov ( AESDirect ) . Online training is available to help you get started using AESDirect at http://www.aesdirect.gov/online_training.html ( AESDirect Online Training ) .

Step 2 - Choose Interface Method
The following implementation methods are available for interfacing with AES:

1. Create your own AES program.
2. Purchase AES-certified software from a vendor.
3. Use a paid AES service center.
4. Use AESDirect or any of its enhancements free of charge

For self-programmer, CBP Proprietary or ANSI X.12 formats are available on the Technical Documents page under AESTIR. A list of vendors with AES-certified software available and of service centers that support AES filing, can be found on the vendors web page.

Step 3 - Certification
There is an initial two-part communication test to ascertain whether your system is capable of both transmitting data to and receiving data from AES. You must demonstrate specific system application capabilities successfully as a prerequisite to certification for AES. The CBP and Census client representatives provide support during testing and make the determination to whether or not you qualify for certification.

For AESDirect user, the certification testing is part of the registration process.