If you have reviewed “Do the Special Requirements Apply to Me?” and have identified a need to file your electronic export information with the Census Bureau before shipping your package, use the following steps to file your information via AESDirect.
- First time only: In order to register with the CBP’s website, you will first need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If you do not already have one, you can apply for an EIN at https:⁄⁄sa2.www4.irs.gov⁄modiein⁄individual or by using the IRS’s Form SS-4 (available at www.irs.gov⁄pub⁄irs-pdf⁄fss4.pdf).
Note: You do not have to be an employer to apply for an EIN.
- First time only: Set up an account with CBP’s website at https:⁄⁄ace.cbp.dhs.gov⁄acexpub⁄expapp. Complete and submit the form to request an Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Exporter Account, which allows you to file electronic export information and to access reports of your past exports.
- Every applicable shipment: Submit all required information about your shipment via the AESDirect tool within ACE at https:⁄⁄ace.cbp.dhs.gov.
Note: For the “Mode of Transport,” select “Mail.”
After you have successfully filed your electronic export information, you will receive an Internal Transaction Number (ITN) as confirmation of your filing. The ITN starts with an “X” and has 14 digits.
Note: In rare cases, ACE⁄AESDirect may be out of service. In such a case, the mailer is required to enter an appropriate AES Downtime Citation in the customs declaration’s AES⁄ITN⁄Exemption block. For additional information, see IMM 525.
Clearly enter this ITN or AES Downtime Citation in block 10 of PS Form 2976–A or in block 3 of PS From 2976-B. Please see the following images of those forms and the applicable blocks.
Note: The following service types are not available for shipments that require filing of electronic export information via AESDirect: First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope, and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Box. This prohibition applies to shipments with an ITN or AES Downtime Citation.
PS Form 2976-A, Block 10
PS Form 2976-B, Block 3
