One of the recent developments in the trade process for U.S. export cargo is the Automated Export System (AES) COMMODITY REDESIGN module, which is scheduled for live implementation on June 8.

The Commodity Redesign will enhance AES capacity for submitting Shippers’ Export Declaration (SED) data, to meet business requirements, accurately validate data, incorporate system modifications and accommodate future expansions of this paperless system. In essence, the AES system will for the first time be able to perform additional validations of SED information, heightening data quality and integrity.

The shipping community (including U.S. exporters and their customers, carriers, and logistics providers) in turn can expect to enjoy a number of benefits, including:

• Elimination of duplicate responses
• Elimination of lost transmissions
• Clearer filing guidelines
• Improved Customer support
• Robust messaging

Change is good
BDP clients should experience a seamless transition – our personnel have been briefed and internal systems have been upgraded to integrate with the AES redesign. As with any systems upgrade however, we are prepared to anticipate and iron out potential rough edges with little if any disruption to service. BDP personnel should be able to handle any transactions, which the Government’s new AES module may deny for technical reasons.

However, in the event we are unable to resolve one of these “technology exceptions,” we may ask for your timely assistance to keep things moving, as most cargo will have been already loaded on board vessels. If contacted, your immediate attention will lead to timely corrections, heading-off potential delays.

Questions and Answers
If you would like more information about the AES Commodity Redesign and what it means to your export processes, contact Michael J. Ford, Vice President of Regulatory Compliance at BDP (610-595-2878) or e-mail him at mford@bdpnet.com.

About AES
The Automated Export System (AES) is a joint venture between the export trade community; U.S. Bureau of Customs & Boarder Protection (CBP); the Foreign Trade Division of the Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC); the Bureau of Industry and Security (DOC); the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, U.S. Department of State; and other Federal agencies. It is the central point through which export shipment data required by multiple agencies is filed electronically to Customs, using the efficiencies of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). AES provides an alternative to filing paper Shipper's Export Declarations (SEDs). Export information is collected electronically and edited immediately, and errors are detected and corrected at the time of filing. AES is a nationwide system operational at all ports and for all methods of transportation. It was designed to assure compliance with and enforcement of laws relating to exporting, improve trade statistics, reduce duplicate reporting to multiple agencies, and improve customer service.