US export rules need an Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing in the Automated Export System (AES), which returns an ITN, when the value of a single Schedule B commodity is over $2,500 or an export license is required. Puerto Rico is treated as a foreign destination for this. File in the AESDirect portal, then enter the ITN in the AES Citation field. Below the threshold with no license, an FTR exemption applies and no ITN is needed.

Before you start

Know the value of each item by its Schedule B number, and whether any item needs an export license. (Schedule B is the US export code for a product; an ITN is the number AES gives you as proof you filed.)

When a filing is required

A filing is required when the value of a single Schedule B commodity is over $2,500, or when an export license is required. Puerto Rico counts as a foreign destination for this rule. Under $2,500 with no license, you use an FTR exemption and no ITN is needed.

Steps

  1. Check whether any single Schedule B commodity value is over $2,500 or needs an export license.
  2. If it does, log in to the ACE AESDirect portal (aesdirect.census.gov; your company must be registered) and start a new EEI filing with your EIN, the item description and Schedule B number, the value, and the destination.
  3. Submit the filing and copy the ITN it returns exactly (it begins with "AES").
  4. Enter the ITN in the AES Citation field on the shipment.
  5. If no filing is required (value under $2,500 and no license), select the correct export options so the right FTR exemption is applied. No ITN is needed.
  6. Optional: for eligible expedited shipments, you can authorize FedEx to file the EEI for you.

If you see "The FTR Exemption or AES Citation you provided is not valid for EEI"

Your export options are not valid for EEI filing. Enter a correct AES Citation / ITN, or select the right FTR exemption for the value, then reprocess.

What you should see

With a valid ITN in the AES Citation field, or the correct FTR exemption below the threshold, the shipment processes and the ITN prints on the export paperwork.

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