SupportingStatment (B)

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

U.S. Department of Commerce

U.S. Census Bureau

Shipper's Export Declaration (SED)/

Automated Export System (AES) Program

OMB Control No. 0607-0152

2. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

1. Universe and Respondent Selection

The precise respondent universe is unknown since the universe is comprised of exporters filing SEDs or AES records on a one-time basis, regularly, and all variations in between for commodities valued over $2,500 per Schedule B number. Currently, we estimate that approximately 239,094 firms are engaged in exporting.

The response rate for filing SED/AES records approaches 100 percent since export carriers must submit SED information to the CBP before clearance or permission to depart is granted.

2. Procedures for Collecting Information

The Census Bureau requires the filing of an SED/AES record for virtually all shipments valued over $2,500 and processes these data for all countries except for Canada. The SED information is required for shipments valued at $2,500 or less when an export license is required or the items are subject to control from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Administration Regulations, the U.S. Department of State’s ITAR, or if shipments of rough diamonds are filed under the Schedule B subheadings 7102.10, 7102.21, and 7102.31.

The United States substitutes Canadian import statistics for U.S. exports to Canada. Similarly, Canada substitutes U.S. import statistics for Canadian exports to the United States. This exchange of data includes only U.S. exports destined for Canada and does not include shipments destined for third countries or shipments requiring validated export licenses.

The Census Bureau estimates value data monthly for shipments valued under $2,501 using factors based on established percentages of individual country totals.

3. Methods to Maximize Response

The filing of SED information is mandatory under Sections 301-307, Chapter 9, Title 13, U.S.C. Effective January, 1990, the United States substituted Canadian import statistics for U.S. exports to Canada in accordance with a MOU. Similarly, under this MOU, Canada is substituting U.S. import statistics for Canadian exports to the United States. This has eliminated any substantial undercount of shipments to Canada due to non receipt of SED information.

In order to maintain a high level of quality in CBPs statistical operations, the Census Bureau reviews operations in the various ports, and provides training sessions for the CBP staff involved, including members of the CBP staff from several regions. The Census Bureau, with the cooperation of the CBP, periodically conducts port audits to determine the extent of non filing of SEDs.

4. Testing Procedures

The Census Bureau participates in seminars on an ongoing basis in cities all over the United States to instruct the public on how to complete the SED/AES record properly. Prior to becoming a registered AES/AESDirect user, a filer must pass a proficiency test that lets the Census Bureau know that the filer has been qualified to submit information properly through the system.

5. Contacts for Statistical Aspects and Data Collection

The Foreign Trade Division of the Census Bureau is responsible for primary statistical design and regulations governing the statistical information required on/from the SED/AES record. Specifically the following persons serve as contacts:

Responsible for the Foreign Trade Statistics Program:

William G. Bostic, Jr.

Chief, Foreign Trade Division

(301) 763-2255

Richard Preuss

Assistant Division Chief, Data Collection

Foreign Trade Division

(301) 763-2210

Debra Coaxum

Methods, Research, and Quality Assurance Branch

Foreign Trade Division

(301) 763-3080

Automated Export System:

Wendy Peebles

Automated Export System Branch

Foreign Trade Division

(301) 763-3501

Foreign Trade Statistics Regulations (FTSR):

Dale C. Kelly

Regulations, Outreach, and Education Branch

Foreign Trade Division

(301) 763-3502

Attachments

1. Commerce Form 7525-V

2. AES Record Formats – AESTIR, Part II, Section I

Automated Export System Trade Interface Requirements (AESTIR) – AES Record Formats, Part II, Section I

3. AES Letter of Intent

4. AESDirect Registration

5. AESDirect Certification

6. Correct Way to fill Out the Shipper’s Export Declaration