SED vs EEI: the SED was the paper form; EEI is the same data filed electronically in AES. A carrier asking for "the SED" wants the ITN that AES returns.
What is a Shipper's Export Declaration?
The SED was retired on July 2, 2008, when the Foreign Trade Regulations made electronic filing mandatory. The same information, used for trade statistics and export control, is now filed as Electronic Export Information (EEI) through the Automated Export System (AES).
If a form asks for an SED
Supply the Internal Transaction Number (ITN) that AES returned, or the exemption legend if no filing was required. Many booking forms, freight quotes and older instructions still say "SED" or "SED required" when they mean the EEI filing, and forwarders may list an "SED fee" or "AES fee" for filing on the exporter's behalf.
When a filing is required
- Any Schedule B or HTS line valued over $2,500 shipped to a destination other than Canada
- Any shipment that needs an export license, regardless of value
- Certain controlled goods and sanctioned destinations, regardless of value
What the EEI contains
The filing identifies the U.S. Principal Party in Interest (usually the seller), the consignee, the Schedule B or HTS number, value, quantity, country of destination and mode of transport. The deadline depends on the mode: 24 hours before loading for vessel cargo, 2 hours before departure for air.
Airlift files the EEI for the exports it books from the U.S., including on the USA to India lane, and puts the ITN on the bill of lading so the carrier can accept the cargo.
Related terms
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