The content below houses technical documentation and references to support filing export related data to CBP and the Automated Commercial Environment.
- AES - An Introduction provides an overview of AES capabilities and a system history.
- AES General Information Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) provides answers to commonly asked questions about AES.
- Easy Steps for AES Participation provides simple procedures for paperless filing for the Electronic Export Information (EEI) and Ocean Manifests through AES.
- AES Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) provides answers to questions related to FTR.
- AES Letter of Intent (LOI) is required to participate in AES. Instructions and forms are located here.
- AES EDI/VPN Filers (STFP) Guidelines
- Apply for an Exporter Account
The CBP Automated Export System Trade Interface Requirements (AESTIR) provide the Customs Proprietary and ANSI X.12 record formats for transmitting commodity and transportation export data to CBP via AES. The Appendices to the AESTIR provide reference files used by AES to validate certain required data elements. The General Information section of the AESTIR provides an introduction to the system as well as information on becoming a participant in AES. Users should check here monthly for any changes to the documentation. For further information or questions, contact the U.S. Census Bureau's Data Collections Branch. Telephone: (800) 549-0595, select option 1 for AES from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. EST. Email: askaes@census.gov
All AES participants must procure the necessary equipment and software and are responsible for all costs. Network access is available by using an approved CBP communications option. They are as follows:
- Public Internet Cisco VPN/MQ Series via a client provisioned Internet Service Provider (ISP) connection,
- Sprint or Verizon Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) VPN a private Cisco VPN/MQSeries solution,
- Service Center,
- VAN (value-added network).
Where an ISP is not accessible, VPN via toll free dial-up will be available.
Potential participants decide which options best meets their business needs. To assist in this decision, contact your assigned client representative.
Procurement of Equipment and Software
Based on communications needs, the participant is responsible for ordering the necessary hardware and software. This information is best obtained through each participant's approved software vendor.
Establishing a Communication Session
When the trade participant completes equipment and software procurement, the trade participant must contact their assigned client representative and request a participation enrollment form. Once this form is complete it is returned to the client representative who will facilitate the flow of the documentation to the proper personnel at the CBP data center.
Data center personnel will establish a ticket that will identify the request for a new network definition. The ticket will proceed as follows:
- Network Management Branch will establish and test IP connectivity
- Middleware Branch will establish queue names and test MQ channel connectivity
- Client Representative will verify data transmissions to the AES application
Once the ticket has completed this process and all phases of the ticket are successful, the ticket is closed.
The Automated Export System (AES) is designed to support the data-collection efforts of a number of federal government agencies, referred to as the Partnership Agencies. AES currently captures export data that will be shared among these agencies; it is, however, an evolutionary process.