What is an EEI/SED, and when must I fill it out?
The Electronic Export Information (EEI and formerly known as Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED)), is required by law to enable U.S. Government agencies to enforce laws related to the export of goods. It was also traditionally used by the U.S. Census Bureau to compile official U.S. export statistics.
An Electronic Export Information (EEI) Filing (formerly known as SED) is required when:
- An individual Schedule B/HTS item value exceeds US$2500 to all foreign destinations (except to Canada); or
An individual Schedule B/HTS item value exceeds US$2500 for shipment being shipped as follows:
- from the U.S. to Puerto Rico;
- from Puerto Rico to the U.S.;
- from the U.S. or Puerto Rico to the U.S. Virgin Islands;
- trans-shipped through or for storage in Canada, but ultimately destined to a third country;
- exported under Carnets; or
- A shipment (regardless of value) is transported under an export license issued by the applicable U.S. Government agency (e.g., Dept of State, Dept of Commerce, etc.) including Canada destinations and including Carnets; or
- A shipment (regardless of value) is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) , including shipments exempt from licensing requirements and including shipments to Canada; or
- A shipment (regardless of value) contains rough diamonds (under Schedule B#’s 7102.10, 7102.21 and 7102.31, including shipments to Canada; or
- A shipment (regardless of value) is destined to a U.S. Department of Commerce authorized Validated End User (VEU); or
- A shipment (regardless of value other than personal correspondence or business records) is destined to restricted countries such as Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria. (NEX Worldwide Priority Express (WPX) is not acceptable for shipping to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria)
You can file your EEI/SED online through the U.S. Government’s Automated Export System (AES Direct). The instructions are available from the U.S. Census Bureau's Web site.