Tips on How to Resolve AES Response Messages

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February 19, 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: 119

Narrative: Carrier Code Not Allowed for MOT

Severity: Fatal

Reason: A Carrier ID (SCAC/IATA) is reported but the Mode of Transportation Code indicates a carrier code is not allowed.

Resolution: A Carrier ID (SCAC/IATA) must be reported for Modes of Transportation vessel, air, rail and truck. A Carrier ID (SCAC/IATA) is not allowed to be reported for Modes of Transportation other than vessel, air, rail or truck (i.e., mail, fixed, etc.).

Verify the Mode of Transportation and the Carrier ID (SCAC/IATA), correct the shipment and resubmit.

Response Code: 534

Narrative: Foreign/Domestic Indicator must be F or D

Severity: Fatal

Reason: The Foreign/Domestic Indicator is not declared as either Foreign or Domestic.

Resolution: The Foreign/Domestic Indicator must conditionally be reported as either ‘F’ for foreign origin or ‘D’ for Domestic origin.

Verify the origin of goods, correct the shipment and resubmit.

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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