Tips on How to Resolve AES Response Messages

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January 21, 2020

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.


Response Code:  651

Narrative:     Vehicle Information Required for Export Information Code

Severity:       Fatal

Reason:        The Export Information Code is reported as HV for personally owned vehicles being exported as household effects but the Used Vehicle Information is not included.

Resolution: A used vehicle must be reported if the Export Information Code is HV.  See ‘Appendix E, Commodity Filing Export Information’ of the AESTIR for a complete listing of all the Export Information Codes and their reporting guidelines.

Verify the Export Information Code, correct the shipment and resubmit.

Response Code:  851

Narrative:     Improbable Commodity for Air Shipment

Severity:       Verify

Reason:        For the reported Schedule B/HTS Number, a Mode of Transportation of Air is improbable for this commodity.

Resolution: Certain products are highly unlikely to be exported with a Mode of Transportation Air.  This might indicate either a keying error or misclassification of the product. 

Verify the Mode of Transportation and the Schedule B/HTS Number, 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 Trade 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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