It's easy for your company to become a registered user of AESDirect
How To Register
Any AES Option 4 (post departure) Letters of Intent sent after August 15, 2003 will not be reviewed for the AES Option 4 filing privilege.
Online Registration covers online interactive Option 2 (pre departure) AESDirect filing for all companies, and Option 4 (post-departure) filing only for companies that have already been certified for Option 4. Additional information about EDI Upload submission to AESDirect is located in the Developers Center.
AESDirect Online Registration Process
Complete and submit the Online AESDirect Registration Form.
After you submit the registration form the following will happen:
- The Account Administrator identified on the registration form will be notified by email that the company's registration has been received and is being processed.
- An AESDirect filing account will be created for your company.
As soon as the AESDirect account has been set up, the Account Administrator will receive three emails: the first will provide the company's AESDirect User Name; the second, the temporary Administrator Code; and the third, the temporary Password.
- Username: This is the user name that must be used to log in to AESDirect to file SEDs to AES. The user name for the company account never changes and is always in lower case letters. Everyone in a company using the account to file shipment information through AESDirect uses the same user name.
- Password: This is the second data element that must be entered to log in to AESDirect. Everyone in a company using the account to file shipment information through AESDirect uses the same password. Note, however, that the password can be changed at any time and must be changed every 180 days for security reasons. Only the company's Account Administrator can change the password, and he or she is responsible for advising all company filers when the password has been changed.
- Administrator Code: This is the code that allows the Account Administrator to
change the company's password. Only the Account Administrator has this code, and only he or she has the option of changing it at any time.
The first time the Account Administrator logs in to AESDirect, he or she must select a permanent administrator code and change the password using the information sent in the three emails.
When the Account Administrator has selected the permanent administrator code and changed the password, then either he or she (or a designated representative) can begin the process of activating the AESDirect account as detailed below:
- Once the new administrator code and password have been selected, the company's AESDirect account will be validated to provide access to the online Certification Quizzes only. In order to become a fully authorized user of AESDirect (and begin to file shipment information into AES) someone with access to the company's account must pass either the AESDirect or AESPcLink. certification quiz.
- Preparation for the AESDirect Quiz should include taking the AESDirect Tutorial and reviewing the information in the User Guide.
- The AESPcLink Quiz is recommended for individuals who have attended an AESPcLink workshop or participated in an online training session. You may also prepare for this quiz by reviewing the AESPcLink Overview and the User Guide.
- To take a quiz, click on Certification Quizzes under Log In on the Home Page and then select one of the two quizzes. When prompted, enter the company's User Name and Password.
A quiz may be taken at any time, and as many times as needed to pass. Each quiz consists of a series of multiple choice and true/false questions. At least 27 (of 30) questions must be answered correctly to pass the quiz.
- When someone from the company having access to the company account has passed a quiz, the AESDirect support staff will be notified and they will activate the company's account within three days for filing in AESDirect. The Account Administrator will be notified by email when this process is complete. At that time, the Account Administrator can distribute the user name and password to the company's authorized filers.
EDI Upload
When you register for AESDirect you should fill out the EDI Upload section of the registration form if you intend to use AESDirect for EDI upload filing of SEDs.
Important: If you have already registered for AESDirect and now wish to start using EDI Upload, please contact us at 1-877-715-4433 or boc-support@tradegate2000.com
If you are using an AESDirect Certified Software Vendor:
Please contact your vendor when you register for AESDirect. They will need to check the software that you are using is the version that has been certified, and will need to confirm that to us.
If you are using another software vendor or custom developed software:
Once you have passed the AESDirect Certification Quiz, we will create a test account for you to start testing your EDI Upload. Once you have passed the AESDirect EDI upload
certification script we will update your production account to include EDI Upload
filing and inform you when you can begin filing.
Additional information about EDI upload is available in the Developers Center.
Post Departure
Post Departure filing is available to approved USPPIs, or forwarders filing on behalf of approved USPPIs.
If you have applied for or are already approved for Option 4 indicate that in the
appropriate question on the registration form. If you are approved, your
AESDirect account will be set up as Option 4. If you are not yet approved for Option
4, your account will be set up as Option 2 and switched to Option 4 status when it
becomes approved for Option 4.
Data Entry Centers (DECs)
Due to the recent signing of Public Law 107-228 "The Security Assistance Act of 2002," the Foreign Trade Division (FTD) will no longer accept letters of intent for DECs. PL 107-228 authorizes Census to make AES Mandatory for all export shipments. USPPIs, freight forwarders or their authorized agents will be responsible for filing shipment information in AES when AES becomes mandatory. Data Entry Centers will not be permitted to file on behalf of the USPPI without a written authorization or power of attorney. Click here for additional information
