What Is an Export Declaration and Why Is It Necessary?

A paper Shipper's Export Declaration is no longer accepted for shipments. New regulations have increased penalties for failure to file through AES and for filing inaccurate information. The penalties can be as high as $10,000 per violation. Many exporters still use a paper SED, but this is inefficient because it doesn't provide the same information that an AES filing requires. Exporters must now file their export declarations through the AES. However, some exporters continue to use the SED as a shipper's letter of instruction, despite the fact that it does not provide all the information needed to file through AES. Check out Exportdeklaration to learn more.

Shipper's Export Declaration

Often referred to as a SED, the Shipper's Export Declaration is a regulated document that must accompany all International Shipments from the United States. These documents serve as a record of U.S. exports, and are used to compile trade statistics. When shipping goods with a Schedule B code, a Shipper's Export Declaration must accompany the shipment. If you are shipping this item to a foreign country, a freight forwarder must complete a SED on your behalf, but you can provide a power of attorney for the freight forwarder to fill out the form for you.

The SED is a document that contains the name and address of the person who exports the goods. The SED must be complete and accurate to ensure the safe passage of the goods. There are two versions of the SED. One is a paper copy of the declaration; the other is an electronic version. A digital copy of the Shipper's Export Declaration is available at the Customs website. You can find instructions on filing the SED online at the U.S. Department of Commerce website.

Electronic export information

EEI stands for Electronic Export Information and is required by the U.S. government for exports between the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Previously, only paper-based declarations were required. These days, however, the U.S. government requires exporters to file EEI electronically, so that it is easy to track the status of their exports. To learn more about EEI, read on.

EEI is the electronic counterpart of the Shipper's Export Declaration, and is a necessary part of foreign trade if the value of the goods exceeds $2,000. It is also used for trade statistics and assists U.S. Customs and Border Protection with enforcing export regulations. It is also necessary for certain exports, including those related to the arms trade. However, electronic export information is not required for all types of exports.

Commercial invoice

Before you export goods from the United States, you must provide a commercial invoice to clear through customs. This document also serves as an essential supporting document for insurance claims. It releases funds to the seller and is scrutinized by the bank before reimbursing the money. Under U.S. export regulations, the commercial invoice must be maintained for five years from the date of shipment. If necessary, you can use the document to make claims against foreign credit risk insurance policies.

The first step in preparing a commercial invoice for export is to identify the recipient. The recipient is usually a person or a company. The next step is to fill out the purpose of export. A commercial invoice must contain the following information: B/L/AWB No., shipping label number, and the date of shipment. Once you have these information, you are ready to file your export declaration with the relevant government agency.

Export license

A valid export license declaration must include the goods' description and the required export permits. Export declarations that are not complete may be invalidated and subject to penalties. In addition, blank declarations will be destroyed after 20 business days. In some cases, an agent can be hired to complete the export license declaration for a client. Often, this is the best option for small exporters who are new to exporting. However, if you do not have the time to complete the form, it is still possible to have your goods refused.

If you want to participate in the SRP, you must first obtain approval from the CBSA. If you are importing and exporting restricted goods, you must provide written confirmation from the department controlling the goods. In addition, you must have a copy of your export license to provide to the CBSA if the government agency wants to inspect your goods. This document must be available upon request. In order to export goods to Canada, you must have a valid export license.