Tips on How to Resolve AES Fatal Errors

 Fatal Error

October 19, 2017

Tips on How to Resolve AES Fatal Errors

When a shipment is filed to the AES, a system response message is generated and indicates whether the shipment has been accepted or rejected.  If the shipment is accepted, the AES filer receives an Internal Transaction Number (ITN) as confirmation.  However, if the shipment is rejected, a Fatal Error notification is received. 


To help you resolve AES Fatal Errors, here are some tips on how to correct the most frequent errors that were generated in AES for this month.

Fatal Error Response Code:  128

Narrative: Port of Export Unknown

Reason: The Port of Export Code reported is not valid in AES.

Resolution: The Port of Export Code must be valid in AES.  Valid Port of Export Codes reportable in AES are contained in Appendix D - Export Port Codes.

Verify the Port of Export Code, correct the shipment and resubmit.


Fatal Error Response Code:  147

Narrative: Routed Export Indicator Missing

Reason: The Routed Export Indicator is missing.

Resolution: A routed export transaction is a transaction in which the Foreign Principal Party in Interest (FPPI) authorizes a U.S. agent to facilitate the export of items from the United States and to prepare and file Electronic Export Information (EEI).  You must report the Routed Export Indicator as Yes or No.

Verify whether or not this is a routed export transaction, correct the shipment and resubmit.

For a complete list of Fatal Error Response Codes, their reasons, and resolutions, see Appendix A – Commodity Filing Response Messages.


It is important that AES filers correct Fatal Errors as soon as they are received in order to comply with the Foreign Trade Regulations.  These errors must be corrected prior to export for shipments filed predeparture and as soon as possible for shipments filed postdeparture but not later than five calendar days after departure.


For further information or questions, contact the U.S. Census Bureau’s Data Collection Branch.

Telephone: (800) 549-0595, select option 1 for AES

Email: askaes@census.gov

Online: www.census.gov/trade

Blog: www.census.gov/globalreach