Change to Customs Shippers Export Declaration (SED) Filing Requirements

2005-04-14

In the past, Crowley Liner Services has provided the service of filing the SED on behalf of our customers due to our partnership with Census in the Data Entry Center Program (D.E.C.). In preparation of full Automated Export System (AES) Mandatory filing, the U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Division Data Entry Center Program will be coming to an end as of March 31, 2005. Crowley Liner Services, as a carrier, will no longer be able to provide this service under the same guidelines. Effective April 1, 2005, all customers will need to submit SED info to Census by one of the following means:

1. You may file the SED direct with Census using the free Census AES filing website
2. You may engage an authorized agent to file the export information in AES on your behalf.

If you are an exporting customer or if you represent a Primary Benefactor of a U.S. Entity that is exporting goods from the U.S. then you are known as an U.S. Principal Party in Interest (USPPI). In order to comply with U.S. Federal Regulations your responsibilities are to submit electronically with the U.S. Census, information regarding the commodities you are exporting via a SHIPPERS EXPORT DECLARATION (SED), as well as maintain documentation to substantiate such shipments for a period of 5 years. The SED is a form used by the U.S. Department of Commerce to control the exports and compile trade statistics.

The SED must be prepared and submitted to the Customs Agent for ALL shipments under the following scenarios:

The value of any single commodity is greater than $2,500.00 and the export is:
From U.S. To Foreign Countries
From U.S. To U.S. Virgin Islands
Between U.S. and Puerto Rico
From U.S. or Puerto Rico Foreign Trade Zones to Foreign Countries
From Puerto Rico to Foreign Countries
From U.S. Virgin Islands to Foreign Countries
From Puerto Rico to the U.S. Virgin Islands

In order to file your shipment information and to be in compliance with the Federal Regulations for SED Filing Requirements under CFR 15, Part 30 Section 30.1 30.99, you can either file the SED yourself or hire a third party vendor to file it on your behalf.

You can find information on how to file a SED by going to www.aesdirect.gov or contacting the Automated Export System Branch at 800.549.0595.

If you choose Crowley Logistics, Inc to file a SED on your behalf for shipments on and after APRIL 1st, follow the instructions on the SED Letter of Authorization and SED Letter of Instructions and SUBMIT REQUEST NO LATER THAN MARCH 15th 2005. There will be a fee charged for this service as stated on the SED Letter of Authorization.

If you chose to file the SED direct with Census or utilize the services of another agent, you must provide the carrier with proof of filing (the Census identifier ITN or XTN number) upon cargo receipt at the port or risk the cargo being held until such confirmation is received.

If you have any questions or concerns please call 1.800.276.9539.