Foreign Trade Statistics Regulations: Amendment to Clarify Exporter (U.S. Principal Party in Interest) and Forwarding or Other Agent Responsibilities in Preparing the Shipper's Export Declaration or Filing Export Information Electronically Using the Automated Export System and Related Provisions

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is amending the Foreign Trade Statistics Regulations (FTSR) to clarify the responsibilities of exporters and forwarding or other agents in completing the Shipper's Export Declaration (SED), or filing the information electronically using the Automated Export System (AES), and to clarify provisions for authorizing forwarding or other agents to prepare and file a paper SED or file the export information electronically using the AES on behalf of a principal party in interest. This rule also clarifies provisions on electronic transmissions of intangible transfers of software and technology; updates provisions related to mail shipments and certain related SED exemptions; notifies the public that in the near future the Census Bureau will revise appropriate "exporter" fields on the paper SED forms and the AES record to read "U.S. principal party in interest," and require the reporting of the U.S. principal party in interest Employer Identification Number (EIN) or other identification number on the SED or AES record; clarifies what information should be listed in these newly revised blocks and the equivalent fields on the AES record; and clarifies provisions for providing import verification information to the Census Bureau.