Census Offers Tips for Household Goods, Weight-Quantity Errors in AES

The Census Bureau emailed tips last week on how to address the most frequent messages generated this month in the Automated Export System.

Response code 531 is a fatal error for when a filer tries to submit a Foreign/Domestic Origin Indicator when the Export Information Code reported is HH for household goods. Census said the Foreign/Domestic Origin Indicator isn't "allowed" when the Export Information Code is HH. The filer should verify the Export Information Code and Foreign/Domestic Origin Indicator, correct the shipment and resubmit.

Response code 8W1 is a Census request to verify the filing because the shipping weight/quantity ratio is outside the "expected range" for the reported Schedule B/Harmonized Tariff Schedule Number. Census said that ratio "should fall within a certain parameter based on historical statistical averages for that commodity," and "ratios outside this pre-determined parameter might indicate either a keying error or misclassification of the product." Filers should verify the shipping weight and quantity, the Schedule B/HTS Number, correct the shipment and resubmit, if necessary. If the filing is verified correct as reported, no action is necessary.