A brief overview of the Electronic Export Information (EEI) process or the Shipper's Export Declaration. This information is taken from "A Basic Guide to Exporting" provided by the U.S. Commercial Service to assist U.S. companies in exporting.
Last Published: 10/20/2016

Electronic Export Information (EEI) (Formerly known as Shipper's Export Declaration)

Used to control exports and is a source document for official U.S. export statistics. Electronic Export Information (EEI) must be filed electronically by you, your freight forwarder, or another qualified third party whom you designate. EEI is required for shipments when the value of the commodities, classified under any single Schedule B number (the four-digit U.S. extension to the six-digit code under the Harmonized Tariff System), exceeds $2,500. EEI must be prepared and submitted for all shipments, regardless of value, that require an export license or are destined for countries or end users restricted by the U.S. government. The U.S. Census Bureau’s Foreign Trade Division is the controlling agency for this document, and AESDirect (aesdirect.census.gov) allows exporters to file EEI electronically for free. Often, the SED is prepared based on another document: the shipper’s letter of instructions.