AES (replaces Shipper's Export Declaration or "SED")

When to Use

The U.S. Department of Commerce and Bureau of the Census require that certain types of exports be recorded through AES filing.

1. The value of any one commodity type in your shipment exceeds $2,500 value (commodities are classified under Schedule B numbers, defined below). If you are shipping more than one commodity type (Schedule B number), none of which individually exceed $2,500 value, then you may not need an SED, regardless of the value of the different commodities in aggregate, as long as the conditions below do not apply to your shipment.
2. The commodity being shipped requires a Department of Commerce validated export license or State Department license, or is otherwise controlled by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, Department of Defense, or other government agencies. (To find out if export licensing is required for your commodity, see BXA Compliance.)
3. The shipment is consigned to a destination controlled by Export Administration Regulations. (To research your destination, see BXA compliance)

Note 1: For shipments to Canada, when only condition 1 above applies (i.e. exceeds $2,500 value), a SED is not required, but only if Canada is the ultimate destination.

Note 2: SED's are not required for shipments to Puerto Rico or other U.S. possessions.

Purpose

The U.S. Government uses SED's in two ways:

1. The Bureau of Census compiles data on trade statistics
2. The Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) licenses and controls U.S. exports and trade

How to Comply

Census Bureau Compliance (Schedule B Classification)

If a filing is required, you must classify your commodity and assign an appropriate "Schedule B number" - a U.S. government 10-digit commodity identifier. This U.S. system of Schedule B 10-digit export code numbers is based on an international numerical classification system called the Harmonized Tariff System (HTS), which uses 6-digit, universally recognized code numbers. The 6-digit HTS codes define commodities under more general headings. The U.S. codes elaborate these HTS definitions using the 4-digit suffix extension.

Every filing must include a Schedule B number.

To obtain your Schedule B number, call the Bureau of the Census Foreign Trade Division at (301) 457-1084, or go to www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b

BXA Compliance (Export Licensing)

If filing is required, or to help you find out if it is required, you must check your commodity for export license requirements, or other controls that might limit or prohibit export. The Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) administers these export licenses and regulations.

The BXA's Export Administration Regulations (EAR) require that certain types of commodities be licensed, depending on the category of the commodity, the country of destination, and the end-use of the commodity.

First, you must classify your commodity according to the BXA's Commerce Control List (CCL). If a commodity appears on the CCL, then you must note its associated Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) to finally determine if a license is required.

Every filing must include a License Number (or License Exception Symbol) and an ECCN.

How to File with OCS

The standard method for filing requires the shipper to complete the SED and submit 3 copies (on a standardized form) to the courier or forwarder (OCS). OCS will formally deliver your SED to authorities, according to Department of Commerce procedure, at the time of shipment.

OCS, by power-of-attorney, may complete SED's on behalf of approved shippers with OCS accounts.

The SED must be prepared prior to shipping. Be sure to maintain a file record of all SED shipments.

The above is a summary for your convenience. Step-by-step instructions on completing the S.E.D. form can be found on this web site; see 'Preparing a Shipper's Export Declaration Form (SED) 7525-V' . If you still have questions, please refer to the complete Bureau of the Census instructions, "Correct Way to Complete the Shipper’s Export Declaration Form 7525-V", Title 15 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 30, at www.census.gov/foreign-trade.