When filing Electronic Export Information (EEI) in the Automated Export System (AES), filers are required to file complete and accurate information as outlined in Section 30.3(d) of the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR). If the EEI is discovered to be incorrect, the filer must transmit any changes as soon as they are known (FTR Section 30.9(a)). It is critical to make corrections to the EEI because these revisions are included in the U.S. Census Bureau’s export statistical releases. In addition, EEI corrections pertaining to the export shipment must be retained for five years from the date of export.

The requirements to correct the EEI in the AES are the same for both standard and routed export transactions. However, in routed export transactions, it is common for the U.S. Principal Party in Interest (USPPI) to face challenges getting the authorized agent to make the required EEI corrections because the authorized agent’s customer is the Foreign Principal Party in Interest rather than the USPPI. 

If an authorized agent fails to make corrections, the USPPI cannot select another filer to make the corrections or file a new EEI on its own. Only the authorized agent who filed the original EEI can make corrections. The Census Bureau has received complaints from USPPIs who had asked the authorized agent to make corrections to the EEI, but the authorized agent failed to do so.

The Census Bureau’s Trade Regulations Branch (TRB) suggests USPPIs having trouble getting the authorized agent to correct EEI do the following:  

• The USPPI should first inform the authorized agent of their responsibility to electronically transmit accurate EEI and any corrections as soon as they are known. Specifically, Section 30.9(a) of the FTR states, “Corrections, cancellations or amendments to that information shall be electronically identified and transmitted to the AES for all required fields as soon as possible.”  Once authorized agents are alerted to corrections, they generally make the EEI updates as required.  
• If the USPPI is still unable to get the authorized agent to cooperate (even after providing them with the regulatory requirements), they can contact the TRB for assistance. The TRB can assist by contacting the authorized agent directly. Sometimes, authorized agents are more willing to cooperate after the TRB reminds them they’re required to make corrections to the EEI as needed. 
• If the above suggestions fail, the USPPI can refer the matter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to enforce Sections 30.3(c), 30.3(d), 30.3(e), and 30.9(a) of the FTR. The USPPI can submit any suspected FTR violations to CBP through its e-Allegations program. Contact CBP directly for more information on the e-Allegations program.

As a final note, the TRB strongly recommends the USPPI always retain documentation of export transaction(s) and all communications with the authorized agent. Retaining your records can assist with the mitigation of any penalties issued by CBP or enforcement agency.

Have questions about the regulatory requirements for EEI corrections? Call the Census Bureau’s International Trade Helpline at 800-549-0595 (select menu option #3) or email  emd.askregs@census.gov.