Census Offers Tips on Resolving AES Issues for Port of Unlading, Fixed Transport Modes

The Census Bureau May 18 emailed tips on how to address the most frequent messages generated this month in the Automated Export System. Response code 138 is a fatal error for when the port of unlading code is missing. The code must be provided along with all vessel and air shipments between the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Census said users must report a valid port of unlading code -- which is for the foreign port where the exported merchandise is unloaded from the exporting carrier -- and resubmit.

Response code 8PI is an error for when the declared Schedule B/Harmonized Tariff Schedule Number “indicates a product that is not accommodated by a fixed mode of transport.” Census said “only particular goods are likely” to be exported by a fixed transport mode, and users should verify the code, correct the shipment and resubmit, if necessary.