AES, EEI Filings Not Yet Proof of Export for Drawback Purposes

Automated Export System and Electronic Export Information filings are not yet considered proof of exportation for drawback purposes, according to a Dec. 9 alert from the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America. NCBFAA said it received the “advice” from CBP after “many inquiries and some confusion” about proof of export rules.

Only records kept electronically by the U.S. government can be provided as “actual proof” of export “once that system has been approved for that use by CBP,” the agency told NCBFAA. This approval will be published as a general notice in the Customs Bulletin, and CBP has not yet published that approval, NCBFAA said.

Once “electronic outbound manifest” becomes effective, a combined AES and EEI filing “will provide the necessary elements to constitute” proof of export for drawbacks, CBP told NCBFAA. CBP is hoping to launch its electronic export manifest system by the end of the year (see 1910180061).