Update to Automated Export System (AES) Response Message 15A

July 2, 2025

*This message is being forwarded on behalf of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection*

CSMS # 65520566 - Update to Automated Export System (AES) Response Message 15A

This message is a follow-up to the broadcast released on May 11, 2022, titled Expansion of Foreign Trade Zone Identifier to 9-characters (Effective May 17, 2022).

The severity of Response Message 15A is being upgraded from “Compliance” to a severity of “Fatal” July 14, 2025. This is to ensure further compliance with the changes outlined in Federal Register Notice 85 FR 60479 that requires the expansion of the Foreign Trade Zone Identifier from 7 to 9-characters. This change is effective immediately in CERT for testing. 

Response Code: 15A

Narrative Text: FTZ MUST BE 9 CHARACTERS ALPHANUMERIC

Severity: FATAL

Reason: The Foreign Trade Zone Indicator reported on the SC2 record does not have the required format of 3 numeric characters which is a valid zone followed by 6 alphanumeric characters.

Resolution: The Foreign Trade Zone Indicator must be specified in the required format. The first 3 positions must be numeric and represent the general purpose zone. The next 3 positions are alphanumeric and represent the subzone. The last 3 positions are alphanumeric and represent the site. The Foreign Trade Zone Indicator must be left justified with no trailing spaces. Insert zeros when there is no sub zone or site. Report leading zero(s) when the general purpose zone is less than 3 numerics, and when the subzone or site is 1 alphanumeric. Verify the Foreign Trade Zone Indicator, correct the SC2 record and retransmit.

Contact your assigned CBP Client Representative for programming and testing questions.

For general questions regarding AES, contact the U.S. Census Bureau's Trade Data Collection Branch at 1-800-549-0595 (option 1) or askaes@census.gov.

Related message: CSMS # 64321322

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