Tips on How to Resolve AES Response Messages

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October 23, 2019

Tips on How to Resolve AES Response Messages

Fatal Error Screen - Large

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.  Though the shipment is accepted, the filer may still receive a Verify Message, Compliance Alert, Informational Message or Warning Message along with their ITN.  However, if the shipment is rejected, a Fatal Error notification is received and must be corrected to receive a valid ITN. 

To help you take the appropriate action for the different AES Response Messages, here are some tips on how to address the most frequent messages that were generated in AES for this month.

Fatal Error Response Code:  068

Narrative: SRN on File; Action Not Allowed

Severity: Fatal

Reason: The Shipment is not on file in AES, therefore the requested action is not allowed.

Resolution: When the Shipment Filing Action Request Indicator is a Change, Replace, or X for Cancel, the Shipment Reference Number must exist on a previous filing in AES for the filer.            

Verify the Shipment Filing Action Request Indicator and the Shipment Reference Number, correct the shipment and resubmit

Response Code:  808

Narrative: Improbable Destination for Commodity

Severity: Verify

Reason: For the reported Schedule B/HTS Number, the Country of Destination Code is improbable.

Resolution: Certain products are highly unlikely to be exported to certain Countries of Destination based on historical data and industry input. This might indicate either a keying error or misclassification of the product.

Verify the Schedule B/HTS Number and Country of Destination Code, correct the shipment and resubmit (if necessary). If the information is verified correct as reported, no action is necessary.

AES Training Resources

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 more 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: blogs.census.gov/globalreach

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