MANDATORY ELECTRONIC FILING FOR ALL SHIPMENTS REQUIRING SED EFFECTIVE JULY 2, 2008

The U.S. Census Bureau has issued the final rule, which is requiring mandatory filing of export information through the Automated Export System (AES) or through the AESDirect for all shipments where a Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED) is required, effective July 2, 2008. There will be a 90-day implementation period, which ends September 30, 2008. After that, you must file your export information electronically through the AES or AESDirect. These new regulations, published in the Federal Register on June 2, 2008, have tougher penalty provisions that affect everyone in the export process. Penalties may be imposed per violation of the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) from $1,100 to $10,000 both civil and criminal. Anyone submitting paper SEDs after September 30, 2008, will be in violation and subject to penalties. For more information on this important rule, please visit: http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/mandatory/index.html

DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS
          INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL:
When traveling internationally, be sure you know the document requirements regarding proof of citizenship and identity. For details, click here.

The U.S. Export Assistance Center of Arkansas is part of the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce. This federal government agency is dedicated to helping small-to-medium sized Arkansas companies develop international markets. Located in Little Rock, we are part of an international network of global professionals. Our experienced staff of International Trade Specialists will help you

• identify and evaluate international partners
• navigate international documentation challenges
• create market entry strategies
• provide other export related guidance