Tips on How to Resolve AES Response Messages

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September 16, 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:  650

Narrative:      Quantity (2) Cannot Exceed Shipping Weight

Severity:        Fatal

Reason:         When the Unit of Measure (2) is KG (kilograms), Quantity (2) cannot exceed the Shipping Weight.   

Resolution:  Verify the Unit of Measure (2), Quantity (2) and the Shipping Weight reported, correct the shipment and resubmit.


Response Code:  8W1

Narrative:      Shipping Weight/Quantity 1 Out of Range

Severity:        Verify

Reason:         For the reported Schedule B/HTS Number, the Shipping Weight/Quantity (1) ratio is outside of the expected range.

Resolution:  For a particular Schedule B/HTS Number reported, the shipping weight divided by the first quantity should fall within a certain parameter based on historical statistical averages for that commodity.  Ratios outside this pre-determined parameter might indicate either a keying error or misclassification of the product. 

Verify the Shipping Weight, Quantity 1 and Schedule B/HTS Number, correct the shipment and resubmit (if necessary).  If the line item 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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