Yet for most of the fields in AES, filers can make corrections without causing a compliance alert.
The key to knowing what fields can and cannot be corrected after the departure date is the Automated Export System Trade Interface Requirements, Appendix A. Although buried within and somewhat cryptic, here is the gist of the AESTIR as it pertains to compliance alerts for most exporters.
What fields will cause a compliance alert if changed after the date of export
Shipment information section
- Departure date, if revised to an earlier date
- Shipment reference number; this can’t be changed, and attempting to do so will cause a host of problems
U.S. principal party of interest (USPPI) section
- ID number (EIN or foreign entity)
Commodity line(s)
- Adding commodity lines
- Deleting commodity lines
- Any change to the used vehicle section
- Value, if the commodity falls under a license
- License value (different than value above)
- License type
- Export license number
Generally, AES anything related to a licensed export is more heavily scrutinized in AES.
What fields will not cause a compliance alert if changed
- Transportation reference number
- Origin state
- Foreign trade zone
- Port of export
- Country of destination
- Port of unlading
- Departure date, if revised to a later date
- Mode of transport
- Carrier SCAC/IATA
- Conveyance name
- Inbond type
- Import entry number
- Routed transaction radio button
- USPPI and ultimate consignee related companies radio button
- Hazardous shipment radio button
- USPPI company name
- USPPI contact information
- Address of cargo origin
- All fields for the ultimate consignee, intermediate consignee and freight forwarder
- Commodity classification number (Schedule B or HTS)
- Commodity description
- Quantity
- Value (if commodity does not fall under a license)
- Gross weight
- Export code
- Domestic or foreign origin of goods
Keep in mind that avoiding a compliance alert in AES and achieving full regulatory compliance are two different matters. Filers should not abstain from making accurate changes. Furthermore, there are alerts called “fatal errors,” which might occur concurrently with compliance alerts. See the AESTIR and U.S. Foreign Trade Regulations for the specifics relating to your shipment.
And, of course, it is always better to file your electronic export information early, accurately and according to regulations – error free – the first time.