What is AES?
The Automated Export System (AES) is a computer system that collects
Electronic Export
Information (EEI). In many cases, the law
requires you to report EEI for goods exported from the United
States and its territories. For specifics on when EEI filing is
required, see the Correct
Way to Complete the EEI. Who May Participate in AES? U. S. Principal Parties in Interest (USPPIs),
Authorized Agents, Service
Centers, and Software Developers
may participate in AES.
How do Participants Get Started using AES?
Getting started in AES varies depending on the type of participant.
In general, two types of certification may be required to use AES:
filer certification and software certification.
In short, those who complete the EEI must get filer certification
and those who create computer programs to send the EEI must get
software certification.
The table below shows the two types of certification and the types of participants that are eligible for each.
| Type of AES Certification: |
Filer Certification |
Software Certification |
| Type of AES Participant: |
USPPI |
Authorized Agent |
USPPI |
Authorized Agent |
Service Center |
Software Developer |
Filer certification is the approval granted to allow certain companies
or individuals to report information needed to complete the EEI
electronically. Only USPPIs and authorized agents are eligible
for filer certification. The filer certification consists of completing
the filer certification process or
passing the AESDirect
or AESPcLink Certification Quiz.
Software certification is the approval granted to allow a company
or individual to use or develop software that they create to send
EEI to the AES. USPPIs, authorized agents, service centers and
software developers are eligible for software certification. See
the software
certification process.
To help you understand what you need to get started, we provide
the below scenarios.
| Six Getting Started Scenarios: |
| 1 |
If a USPPI or authorized agent decides to report the EEI
using purchased AES-certified software, then the USPPI or authorized
agent would need only to obtain filer certification. |
| 2 |
If a USPPI decides to delegate the filing of the EEI to an
authorized agent, then the USPPI would not need either certification.
The authorized agent would follow scenario #1 or scenario #3. |
| 3 |
If a USPPI or authorized agent decides that they want to
use AESDirect.gov to report EEI, then the USPPI or
authorized agent would need only to become certified to report
via AESDirect.gov. AESDirect.gov filer certification
consists of passing the AESDirect or AESPcLink
Certification Quiz. |
| 4 |
If a USPPI or authorized agent decides to report the EEI
using an AES-certified service center, then the USPPI or authorized
agent would need only to obtain filer certification. |
| 5 |
If a USPPI or authorized agent plans to develop and use its
own proprietary AES software, then the USPPI or authorized agent
must obtain both filer and software certification. |
| 6 |
If a software developer plans to develop and market its own
AES-certified software to the export trade community, then the
software developer must obtain software certification. |
|
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