Over the last few months, there have been numerous discussions about the changes to the Automated Export System (AES) and how it relates to the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). More importantly, how do any of these changes affect you?

What is Changing with the AES?
The AES was developed back in 1994 and the system’s technology and platform needed to be updated and refreshed. This migration of the AES to ACE is called the rehost. The purpose of the rehost is to make the technology more modern in order to develop a transition to the ACE. The ACE will become the “single window”, the primary system through which the international trade community will submit import and export data and documentation required by all Federal agencies.

How will the Rehost Affect You?
You will continue to transmit your export shipments through AESDirect as you have in the past. For companies that use software vendors, service centers or self-developed software, continue to transmit in the same fashion.The changes to the AES are best defined as an internal upgrade.

The AES and ACE-Export are the same system, however, it may also be referred to as part of the International Trade Data System or ITDS.

The AES Rehost and migration to ACE helps us move export processing into the 21st century. If you want more information, please visit ITDS.gov.