Census to Soon Deploy New Fatal AES Message

The Census Bureau soon will launch a fatal alert for filers in the Automated Export System if they are exporting a controlled item without a license, the agency said in a July 7 email to industry. Beginning July 13, the new feature won't allow export filings to proceed if they incorrectly list License Requirement NLR (No License Required) for shipments that require a license under the Export Administration Regulations.

The notification, which will appear in AES as Response Code 66Q, has acted as a warning message since January (see 2112060020). Census said it wanted to give industry several months to adjust to the new notification before the agency upgraded it to fatal, which it hopes leads to better due diligence among exporters.

Filers who receive the new fatal error code should review that they reported the correct Export Control Classification Number, country of destination and license type, Census said. If all that information is accurate, filers should email the Bureau of Industry and Security at ECDOEXS@bis.doc.gov to ask about the ECCN and any “additional licensing authorization that may be required.”