AES Exemption

In many cases, you do not need to file electronic export information with the Census Bureau before mailing your international shipment. In these cases, it can help to avoid unnecessary delay if you write an AES Exemption on your customs declaration. An AES Exemption is a code that indicates the reason why you did not need to file electronic export information.

There are many types of situations that are exempt. Some of the most common ones for mailers are listed below. If your shipment does not fit into these categories, you can check whether other exemptions might apply by looking at 15 CFR 30, Appendix C.

Note: You cannot use an exemption if a shipment requires an export license, contains a “defense article,” or involves a sender or recipient on the BIS Unverified List. Refer to item 6 in the Census Filing Requirements — Electronic Export Information.

 

Situation	AES Exemption
Each type of goods in the shipment (according to Schedule B Export Codes available at www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b/index.html) is valued at $2,500 or less, the shipment does not require an export license, and the shipment is not destined to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria.	Check the “NOEEI § 30.37a” box in block 8 of PS Form 2976, or enter “NOEEI § 30.37a” in block 10 of PS Form 2976-A or in block 3 of PS Form 2976-B.
A shipment (regardless of value) is going to Canada and does not require an export license.	Check the “NOEEI § 30.37a” box in block 8 of PS Form 2976, or enter “NOEEI § 30.36” in block 10 of PS Form 2976-A or in block 3 of PS Form 2976-B.
The shipment is going to Cuba or North Korea and is an authorized gift parcel or humanitarian donation that does not require a BIS or OFAC export license (see “Shipping to Sanctioned Countries and Regions).	Check the “NOEEI § 30.37(h)” box in block 8 of PS Form 2976.
The shipment is going to Crimea and is an authorized gift parcel or humanitarian donation that does not require a BIS or OFAC export license (see “Shipping to Sanctioned Countries and Regions”).	Check the “NOEEI § 30.37(h) in block 8 of PS Form 2976, or enter “NOEEI § 30.37(h)” in block 10 of PS Form 2976-A or in block 3 of PS Form 2976-B.
The shipment is going to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria, contains only published books, pamphlets, or similar media available for general distribution to foreign libraries or similar institutions, and does not require a BIS or OFAC export license (see “Shipping to Sanctioned Countries and Regions”).	Enter “NOEEI § 30.37(y)” in block 8 of PS Form 2976, in block 10 of PS Form 2976-A, or in block 3 of PS Form 2976-B.

Clearly enter the appropriate exemption legend in block 8 of PS Form 2976, in block 10 of PS Form 2976-A, or in block 3 of PS Form 2976-B. Please see the following three images of those forms and the applicable blocks.

PS Form 2976, Block 8

PS Form 2976-A, Block 10

PS Form 2976-B, Block 3