AESDirect is an online system provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that enables exporters to submit required export information electronically. AESDirect is mandatory for all goods being exported from the U.S., and it must be used to submit export reports before shipment. This helps streamline the export process and ensures compliance with legal requirements.
To learn more about how AESDirect works in the GoFreight system, please refer to the following steps.
1. Press CTRL + SHIFT + DELETE while your browser is open. Ensure your settings match the screenshot below, then reopen the browser window.
2. Log in to the ACE Secure Data Portal, managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), using the following link: https://ace.cbp.gov/s/
Note: if you don’t have an account in this portal, please create one first.
3. If you encounter the page below, click on the Account Name section.
4. Click on Submit AES Filing.
5. You will access the AESDirect Shipment Manager page. Please ensure that the Shipment Manager page link contains the topAcct ID. Then keep this page open.
6. Open another tab and navigate to the GoFreight file you need to submit via AESDirect.
7. In the House Bill of Lading (HBL) level, go to Tools and click on AES Direct.
Note: If you do not see the 'AES Direct' option under the Tools menu in your HBL, kindly check if the Port of Loading is set to a port located within the United States, and ensure that the Port of Discharge is selected as a port outside of the United States.
8. Ensure all mandatory columns are filled out, then click on Submit.
9. Check the box “I’ve already logged in” before clicking on Confirm.
10. Submission Results:
- If successful, the AES filing screen will display as shown below. Continue filling out the submission form and click on Submit Filing.
- If the submission fails, a popup will reveal the unexpected results as shown below.
Please return to the AESDirect Shipment Manager tab (Step 5, where the Shipment Manager page link contains the topAcct ID), click on 'Refresh,' and then repeat Steps 6 to 9. Please repeat this process 2-4 times until a successful result is achieved.
Note: The GoFreight product team continues to collaborate with the CBP team to enhance the operational experience. We will keep you updated on further developments.
For a visual guide on this feature, please refer to the following video: