Electronic Export Information, or EEI, is the export data US exporters report through the Automated Export System, or AES, inside the Automated Commercial Environment, using the free AESDirect portal. It is generally required when goods under a single Schedule B classification exceed 2,500 US dollars, or regardless of value for licensed, controlled, and certain other shipments. The US Principal Party in Interest is responsible for filing, a successful filing returns an ITN that must appear on the bill of lading, and ocean filings are due at least 24 hours before departure.
For US exporters, the AES filing is the quiet step that stops a shipment cold when it goes wrong. It is not glamorous, it is a data submission to the government, but without the confirmation number it produces, the carrier will not load the cargo. Many first-time exporters do not know it exists until a forwarder asks for details, and even experienced shippers lose time to avoidable errors on it.
This guide explains Electronic Export Information and AES filing in plain language: what they are, when a filing is required, who is legally responsible, and how to get the ITN that lets your cargo move. Handled correctly, it is a routine part of compliant ocean freight; handled late, it is one of the most common reasons a booking is rolled.
What EEI and AES Are
Electronic Export Information is the set of data about an export shipment that the US government requires for statistics and compliance. It includes details such as the exporter and consignee, the commodity and its Schedule B number, the value, the weight, and the destination. The EEI replaced the old paper Shipper's Export Declaration and is now entirely electronic.
The Automated Export System, or AES, is the platform where that information is filed. It operates within the Automated Commercial Environment, the trade processing system run by Customs and Border Protection, and the free public filing portal is known as AESDirect. The data supports the US Census Bureau's trade statistics and the government's export control and enforcement. In short, EEI is the information, and AES is where you file it.
When an AES Filing Is Required
Not every shipment needs an EEI, but the thresholds are specific and worth knowing. The table below summarizes when a filing is required.
| Situation | Filing required? |
|---|---|
| Goods under one Schedule B line over 2,500 US dollars | Yes |
| Shipment requires an export license | Yes, regardless of value |
| ITAR-controlled items, used vehicles, or rough diamonds | Yes, regardless of value |
| Shipments to Puerto Rico or a Foreign Trade Zone | Yes, in defined cases |
| Low-value goods under the threshold with no license needed | Usually exempt, with an exemption citation |
The value test is applied per Schedule B classification, not per shipment, so a consignment with several commodities must be filed if any single line exceeds the threshold. Even when a shipment is exempt, the correct exemption citation still has to appear on the documents, so exemption is not the same as doing nothing.
Who Files It: The USPPI
The party legally responsible for the EEI is the US Principal Party in Interest, or USPPI. This is usually the US exporter that receives the primary benefit of the transaction, most often the seller of the goods. The USPPI must ensure the filing is accurate and complete, whether it files the data itself or has someone else do it.
In practice, many exporters authorize a freight forwarder or agent to file on their behalf, typically under a Power of Attorney or written authorization. That delegation is common and efficient, because the forwarder is already handling the shipment documentation, but it does not move the legal responsibility. The USPPI remains accountable for the accuracy of the information, which is why it pays to work with a partner who treats the filing with care. Understanding the roles here also connects to knowing what a general cargo shipping move involves from booking to departure.
Need Your AES Filing Handled Right?
Integrated Global Logistics files EEI and manages export documentation as part of every booking, so your ITN is ready before the cut-off and your cargo loads on schedule. FMC licensed NVOCC, in-house documentation, and 99.5% on-time performance across FCL, reefer, and dry cargo to 50+ countries. Tell us your shipment and our team will respond within one business day.
Talk to an Export Documentation SpecialistHow to File and Get Your ITN
Filing follows a clear sequence. Getting it right the first time is mostly a matter of having accurate information ready before you start.
Timing is the part exporters underestimate. For ocean freight, the filing must be completed and the ITN obtained at least 24 hours before the vessel departs. Because that ITN then has to reach the carrier with the rest of the paperwork, the filing is best prepared alongside the booking rather than at the cut-off. It is the same discipline that produces a clean verified gross mass submission: complete, accurate information filed ahead of the deadline.
Common Filing Mistakes
Most AES problems come from a short list of recurring errors, and each one is avoidable with attention to detail. Watch for these in particular:
- Filing late, so the ITN is not available before the carrier's cut-off.
- Using the wrong Schedule B number for the commodity, which misreports the shipment.
- Declaring an incorrect value or weight, a frequent source of corrections.
- Reporting a routed export as a standard one, or the reverse.
- Missing a required license or exemption citation.
- Assuming a low-value shipment needs nothing, when an exemption citation is still required.
Because the filing record must be retained for several years and can be audited, these errors matter beyond the day of shipment. Accurate, timely filing protects both the schedule and the exporter's compliance standing.
Filing with a Freight Partner
For most exporters, the simplest and safest route is to have the AES filing handled as part of the shipment by a forwarder that knows the process. A capable partner collects the right data up front, files accurately in AES, secures the ITN ahead of the cut-off, and puts it on the documents, so the filing never becomes the reason a container is held. That same partner coordinates the filing with the rest of the booking, so there are no gaps between the EEI, the bill of lading, and the carrier's deadlines.
When you request an ocean freight quote and move to booking, confirming who will file the EEI and when is one of the details that keeps the shipment on track.
Integrated Global Logistics LLC is an FMC licensed NVOCC and international freight forwarder, founded in 2015, with more than 10 years of experience and 99.5% on-time performance. IGL files EEI and manages export documentation in-house as part of its ocean freight service, moving FCL, reefer, and dry cargo from the USA with direct carrier contracts, real-time visibility, and one operations representative from start to finish, across 50+ countries worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EEI and AES filing?
Electronic Export Information, or EEI, is the export data a US exporter must report to the government for most international shipments. It is submitted through the Automated Export System, or AES, which operates inside the Automated Commercial Environment, with the free public portal known as AESDirect. The EEI replaces the old paper Shipper's Export Declaration and provides export statistics and compliance control for the US Census Bureau and Customs and Border Protection.
When is an AES filing required?
An AES filing is generally required when the value of goods under a single Schedule B classification in a shipment exceeds 2,500 US dollars. It is also required regardless of value when the shipment needs an export license, contains items controlled under ITAR, includes used vehicles or rough diamonds, or is destined for certain territories such as Puerto Rico or a Foreign Trade Zone. Many low-value shipments are exempt but still need an exemption citation on the documents.
Who is responsible for filing the EEI?
The US Principal Party in Interest, or USPPI, is legally responsible for the EEI filing. The USPPI is usually the US exporter that receives the primary benefit of the transaction. The USPPI can file directly in AES or authorize a freight forwarder or agent to file on its behalf, typically under a Power of Attorney, but the legal responsibility for accuracy remains with the USPPI.
What is an ITN in AES filing?
An ITN, or Internal Transaction Number, is the confirmation number the Automated Export System returns after a successful EEI filing. It is proof that the export was filed. The ITN must appear on the bill of lading, air waybill, or shipping instructions before the carrier loads the cargo, which is why the filing has to be completed ahead of the carrier's deadline.
What is the deadline for an AES filing?
For ocean freight, the EEI must be filed and the ITN obtained at least 24 hours before the vessel departs. Other modes have their own timeframes, such as about 2 hours before an air departure. Because the ITN has to be on the shipping documents before loading, exporters prepare the filing well ahead of the carrier's cut-off rather than at the last minute.
What is the difference between a standard and a routed export transaction?
In a standard export transaction, the US exporter, or USPPI, controls the shipment and is responsible for the EEI filing. In a routed export transaction, the foreign buyer arranges the main carriage and authorizes a US agent to file the EEI on their behalf. The AES filing must correctly indicate whether a shipment is routed, because reporting it incorrectly is a common and avoidable compliance error.
What happens if you do not file EEI correctly?
Failing to file required EEI, filing it late, or filing inaccurate data can lead to penalties, shipment delays, and cargo being held. Most issues come from missed deadlines or incorrect data such as the wrong Schedule B number or value. Because the filing record must be retained for several years and is subject to audit, accuracy and timeliness matter well beyond the day of shipment.
Can a freight forwarder file the EEI for me?
Yes. A freight forwarder or authorized agent can file the EEI in AES on the exporter's behalf, usually under a Power of Attorney or a written authorization. This is common practice because the forwarder handles the shipment documentation anyway. The USPPI still holds the legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information, so working with an experienced forwarder reduces the risk of a filing error.
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