CUSTOMS PROPOSES AIR MODULE IN AES

CUSTOMS PROPOSES AIR MODULE IN AES    U.S. Customs is seeking input from the air cargo industry to develop an “air module” in its Automated Export System so that airlines and freight forwarders can file shippers export declarations electronically.
   Unlike the ocean freight environment, Customs and Census have had a more difficult time bringing the air freight industry on board with AES. The agencies met with the air forwarders and airlines in 1998 and 1999 to explore an air module concept.
   Customs says the proposed air module must be designed using current business practices of the industry. Forwarders will essentially provide Customs with house air waybill information and the airlines will supply the master bill information. The master waybill number will be the link between airline and forwarder data.
   “This is the first step in developing a system,” said Peter J. Baish, director of outbound programs at Customs. “We’re getting support for it from the industry.”
   Express carriers, which control their shipment data from origin to destination, had used Census’ Automated Export Reporting System to file SEDs. The agency shut down the 30-year-old reporting system on Dec. 31.
   FedEx, UPS, DHL, Emery, Airborne and other express carriers have since signed up to use AESDirect, Census’s free Internet AES service.