How to Get an ITN for Your Export Shipment

An Internal Transaction Number, or ITN, is a confirmation number generated by the federal government for export shipments. It serves as proof that the required Electronic Export Information (EEI) has been successfully filed and accepted through the Automated Export System (AES). This system is the mechanism through which the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) collect data on goods leaving the country.

The purpose of the ITN is to ensure compliance with U.S. export laws and to provide official statistics on American trade. For the Census Bureau, the data from these filings is aggregated to create a broad picture of U.S. exports. For CBP, the ITN allows officers at the port of export to access the shipment’s details and verify that all regulations have been met before the goods are cleared to leave. This number is a component of the export documentation process for many shipments departing the United States.

Determining if an ITN is Required

The value of the goods being shipped can dictate the need for an ITN. An ITN is required when the value of commodities classified under a single Schedule B or Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) number exceeds $2,500. This rule applies when goods are sent from one U.S. Principal Party in Interest (USPPI) to a single recipient on the same day. If a shipment contains multiple items with different classification codes, the $2,500 threshold is assessed for each code individually.

Shipments to certain destinations require an ITN regardless of value due to trade restrictions. These currently include countries like Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russia, and Belarus, as well as specific regions of Ukraine.

Any shipment that requires an export license from a U.S. government agency must have an ITN, irrespective of the shipment’s value. Licenses may be required by various agencies, such as the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) or the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) for items subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Filing Exemptions

The most frequently used exemption applies to most shipments destined for Canada, provided they do not require an export license and are not subject to specific regulations like ITAR. Low-value shipments, where commodities per Schedule B number are valued at $2,500 or less, are also exempt, as long as they do not require an export license or are not headed to a restricted destination. Other specific exemptions exist for items like personal baggage and tools of trade under certain conditions. When an exemption is used, a specific code, such as “NO EEI 30.37” for low-value shipments, must be noted on the shipping documents in place of an ITN.

Information and Documentation Needed for Filing

You must identify the U.S. Principal Party in Interest (USPPI). This is the person or entity in the United States that receives the benefit, monetary or otherwise, from the export transaction. You will need the USPPI’s full name, address, and an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.

You must also identify the ultimate consignee, which is the specific person or company abroad that is the final recipient of the goods. This requires their legal name and complete physical address.

Transportation details are also required for the filing. This includes identifying the U.S. port of export, which is the CBP port where the goods will be loaded onto the exporting carrier. You will also need to specify the mode of transport, such as vessel, air, rail, or truck, and the name of the carrier, vessel name, and voyage or flight number if applicable.

Commodity Information

For each distinct item in the shipment, you must provide its corresponding Schedule B number, a 10-digit code used to classify physical goods for export. Exporters can use the free Schedule B Search Tool on the Census Bureau’s website to find the correct codes. In addition to the Schedule B number, you must supply a description of the commodity, its quantity, and its gross shipping weight. The value of the goods, reported in U.S. dollars, is also required, reflecting the selling price or cost at the U.S. port of export.

The Filing Process to Obtain the ITN

The standard method for filing Electronic Export Information (EEI) is through the Automated Export System (AES), accessed via the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal. An exporter must first create an ACE Exporter Account, which requires providing company details and designating an account administrator.

Once the ACE account is active, the filer can log in to the portal and navigate to the AESDirect filing system. After all data fields are completed, the filer submits the information electronically.

Upon a successful submission, the AES system processes the data in real-time. If the information is complete and passes all system edits, an alphanumeric ITN is generated almost instantaneously and displayed on the confirmation screen.

Alternative Method

For exporters who prefer not to file themselves, using a freight forwarder or an authorized agent is a common alternative. These agents can submit the EEI on the exporter’s behalf. The exporter provides the agent with all necessary shipment information, often through a Shipper’s Letter of Instruction (SLI). The agent then completes the AES filing and returns the generated ITN.

Post-Filing Responsibilities

After the ITN is generated, it must be communicated to the freight carrier and listed on shipping documents, such as the bill of lading or air waybill. The ITN serves as the carrier’s authorization to load the cargo. Without this number, a carrier will reject the shipment at the port.

The correct citation that should be placed on the shipping documents is “AES ITN: [ITN]”. For example, if the ITN is X20240101123456, the citation would be “AES ITN: X20240101123456”.

Should any details of the shipment change after the initial filing, the filer is responsible for amending the record in the AES as soon as the change is known. The ACE portal allows filers to look up their original submission using the ITN and make necessary corrections.

Federal regulations mandate that all parties involved in an export transaction maintain records for a specific period. All documentation related to the export, including the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and proof of the AES filing, must be kept for at least five years from the date of export.