U.S. Export Regulations

Issue 049, December 12, 2007

Lately there have been multiple requests from consignees and even some governments stating that they must have a copy of the SED or AES printout to process the import at destination. There is a rule within the U.S. Export Regulations that specifically states that you cannot send a copy of the SED (Shippers Export Declaration) outside of the United States. This would also apply to a print out copy of an AES (Automated Export System) transmission.

This rule is very specific, and can be found in 15 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Part 30, the FTSR (Foreign Trade Statistics Regulations), Section 30.91

The FTSR (Foreign Trade Statistics Regulations), in Section 30.91, clearly states:

“The Shipper’s Export Declaration is an official Department of Commerce form, prescribed jointly by the Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Export Administration. Information required thereon is confidential, whether filed electronically or in any other approved format, for use solely for official purposes authorized by the Secretary of Commerce. Use for unauthorized purposes is not permitted. Information required on the Shipper’s Export Declarations may not be disclosed to anyone except the exporter or his agent by those having possession of or access to any copy for official purposes”

In some cases our Dept. of State has negotiated an end of this request (specifically in Kazakhstan), but we are also receiving the same request from Brazil, China, Ivory Coast, among others.

Please remember…do not send a copy of the SED or AES printout overseas, this is against the U.S. Export Regulations. If you are “pressed” by your customer, then simply give them a copy of the above quote from the regulations, and respectfully decline.

Thank You,
Ken Hughes
U.S. Director
Export Compliance, TSA Security, Dangerous Goods
DHL Global Forwarding