AES Programs Often Require Conditional Data Field Completion, Says Census
Exporters should remember to fill out the Automated Export System AESDirect conditional data fields (marked in blue) when filing because it is rare that an AES record contains only required data fields (marked in red). In most cases at least one conditional field is required. Most of the conditional fields are located in the Shipment Information and Add Commodity Line sections in AESDirect and AESPcLink, the Census Bureau said in a March 19 blog post. The following are the most common conditional fields in the two sections:
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Shipment Information
Transportation Reference Number: This is required for vessel shipments. This is the booking number provided by the carrier.
Port of Unlading: This is required for vessel shipments and all shipments between the U.S. and Puerto Rico. This is the first port where the vessel is offloaded from the exporting carrier.
Carrier SCAC/IATA: This is a 2, 3, or 4-digit character code that identifies the carrier. This is required for Vessel, Rail, Barge, Truck and Air shipments.
Conveyance Name: This is the name of the carrier company or vessel name for ocean shipments. It is required if the Carrier SCAC/IATA code is reported.
Commodity Line
Schedule B or HTS Number: This is a 10-digit code that classifies the merchandise you are shipping internationally. Most shipments require this information. The only situation when it’s not required is if you are exporting household effects or tools of the trade. An example might be if you are physically moving to another country, and you are exporting all of your personal effects.
1st Quantity: This is required for most Schedule B or HTS Numbers. However, in some cases the 1st Quantity may not be required. Please take a look at the ‘Units for 1st Quantity’ data field after you have entered your Schedule B or HTS number. This will tell you if the 1st Quantity is required. If the Units for 1st Quantity shows ‘X-NO UNITS REQUIRED’, then you do not need to report the 1st Quantity.
Origin of Goods: This is required if a Schedule B or HTS Number is provided. This is not required for shipments of household effects or tools of the trade. If required, you must determine whether your goods were manufactured, assembled, or grown in the United States or abroad.
Those interested in additional information on conditional data elements, should refer to Section 30.6 of the Foreign Trade Regulations. For further clarification, exporters should contact AES Branch at 800-549-0595, option 1.