Overview of the Shipper's Export Declaration (SED)
The U.S. Census Bureau has issued its final rule requiring electronic export information filing in place of the paper Shipper's Export Declaration (SED). The Federal Register announcement, which was published on June 2, 2008, can be accessed at the following URL: https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-12133.pdf
- U.S. exporters or their agents must file Electronic Export Information (EEI) through AES or AESDirect as the only permissible method of filing export data. Beginning on October 1, 2008, exporters who submit paper SEDs will be subject to penalties.
- Civil penalties may be imposed per violation of the FTR from $1,100 to $10,000 for delayed filing, failure to file, false filing of export information, and/or using the AES to further any illegal activity. The rule also provides penalties of up to $10,000 and up to five years imprisonment for criminal violations.
- Beginning on October 1, 2008, U.S. exporters or their agents must adhere to new filing deadlines for reporting export information.
- Although CBP and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requested that Census make a "National Interest Determination" (NID) to permit CBP to share export information with foreign governments as part of the goal of DHS to secure U.S. borders by this type of exchange, the new regulations do not resolve this issue.
Additional information, including seminars and workshops, is available at: https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/meetingsandpresentations/index.html