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

About us:
The U.S. Export Assistance Center of the U.S. Department of Commerce is part of the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, an extensive network of trade specialists located throughout the world devoted to assisting U.S. companies expand their international business presence. With offices in 105 cities throughout the U.S. and in more than 150 cities in 83 countries, we're strategically placed to help U.S. firms realize their export potential.

Our trade experts assist U.S. firms in exporting their products/services by providing comprehensive counseling and advice, through timely and accurate intelligence regarding foreign markets, by identifying qualified international buyers and representatives, by advocating on their behalf, and by providing comprehensive solutions to whatever challenges they may encounter.

Let us show how we can help your business compete and win in today's global economy. We can help:

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

The U.S. Export Assistance Center is part of an international network of global professionals. We have 165 offices in 82 countries throughout the world. For more information on how we can help your company succeed in the global marketplace, please visit our services page.