Tips on How to Resolve AES Response Messages

November 19, 2024

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:  512

Narrative:      ECCN Missing

Severity:        Fatal

Reason:        The License Code/License Exemption Code requires an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN), but it was not reported. 

Resolution:  The License Code/License Exemption Code requires the reporting of an ECCN. See ‘Appendix F – License and License Exemption Type Codes’ and reporting guidelines.

Verify the License Code/License Exemption Code requirements, correct the shipment and resubmit.   

Response Code:  626

Narrative:      1^st UOM Code Missing

Severity:        Fatal

Reason:         The Schedule B/HTS Number reported requires a Unit of Measure (1)  and Unit of Measure (1) is missing.

Resolution:  The Schedule B/HTS Number reported requires the Units for 1st Quantity to be reported.

Verify the Unit of Measure for the 1st Quantity, correct the shipment and resubmit.

For a complete list of AES 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 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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