How to Resolve Common AES Response Messages
August 18, 2025
Note: This message is sent to all AES Updates subscribers and is for educational purposes only.
When submitting your Electronic Export Information (EEI) to the Automated Export System (AES), you can receive different response messages: Fatal, Compliance, Verify, Informational and Warning. It is important that AES filers address and/or correct Response Messages as soon as they are received to comply with the Foreign Trade Regulations.
To help you take the appropriate action, here is guidance on how to address one of the most frequent Response Messages that were generated in the AES for the previous month.
Response Code: 8W1
Narrative: Shipping Weight/Quantity 1 Out of Range
Severity: Verify
Reason: For the reported Schedule B/HTS Number, the Shipping Weight/Quantity (1) ratio is outside of the expected range.
Resolution: For a particular Schedule B/HTS Number reported, the shipping weight divided by the first quantity should fall within a certain parameter based on historical statistical averages for that commodity. Ratios outside this pre-determined parameter might indicate either a keying error or misclassification of the product.
Verify the Shipping Weight, Quantity 1, and Schedule B/HTS Number, correct the shipment and resubmit (if necessary). If the line item is verified correct as reported, no action is necessary.
For a complete list of the AES Response Codes, their reasons and resolutions, see Appendix A – Commodity Filing Response Messages.
As a reminder, filers have multiple resources that they can use when filing EEI to the AES. You can access User Guides, Walk-through videos and other resources at our website.
Please contact the U.S. Census Bureau’s Trade Data Collection Branch for further information or questions.
Telephone: (800) 549-0595, select option 1 for AES
Email: askaes@census.gov
Online: www.census.gov/trade
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