HIGHROAD / SHIPPING KNOWLEDGE
AES, EEI, and ITN: Paperwork for Exporting a Car
EEI is Electronic Export Information, AES is the Automated Export System that receives it, and an ITN is the Internal Transaction Number returned for an accepted filing. For a used-car export, ask who will file, when acceptance is needed, and who will provide the ITN to the parties handling clearance and departure.
Why a personal vehicle may still need filing
The Census Bureau explains that used self-propelled vehicles must be filed in AES at least 72 hours before export regardless of value or ultimate destination, including Canada. Do not assume that a low purchase price, a personal move, or Canada's general filing exemption removes the vehicle-specific requirement.
Confirm unusual circumstances with the appropriate agency or qualified filing professional. A general explanation cannot establish whether a particular temporary movement, government shipment, or other special situation follows the ordinary process.
Decide who is responsible before booking
Ask whether you will use an authorized filing agent and what written authorization and identifying information it needs. Verify the business and its secure submission channel. Account registration and eligibility should be checked against current official instructions; do not reuse an old tutorial's login or identification advice.
The agent should explain the roles in your actual transaction and the information required from each party. A domestic vehicle dispatcher is not automatically the person responsible for export filing.
Prepare consistent information
Use the same accurate vehicle identification across the title, purchase records, booking, and filing instructions. Have the parties' details, destination, export port, planned transport, value information, and ownership documentation ready for review. Let the qualified filer confirm required classifications and data fields.
Do not guess a code or reduce the stated value to fit a threshold. Ask how corrections will be handled if the sale, route, port, or sailing changes. Retain the final version of the information you supplied.
Obtain acceptance, not just a service receipt
An invoice for filing assistance does not prove that AES accepted the information. Ask for the ITN and a confirmation showing that it corresponds to your vehicle and export movement. Resolve rejected filings or inconsistent information before the departure deadline.
Keep the ITN with the export file and confirm who communicates it to CBP and the transporting parties. The ITN is a filing reference; it is not a title, an ocean booking, an import permit, or a guarantee of customs release.
Common questions
Can I use the transport booking number as the ITN?
No. They identify different processes.
Does an ITN replace the 72-hour vehicle presentation requirement?
No. Coordinate electronic filing and the separate CBP presentation process.
Is a foreign buyer's involvement irrelevant to the filing?
No. Party roles and authorization can affect the process. Have the filing professional review the actual transaction before submission.
Coordinate the next step
Confirm export, import, or coverage questions with the responsible carrier, agency, insurer, or qualified trade professional. For a U.S. inland transport inquiry, request a callback with the route and vehicle details. This inquiry does not arrange customs clearance, establish eligibility, book transportation, or take payment.
Related guides
- The 72-Hour Rule for Exporting a Used Vehicle
- How to Check an International Car Shipping Company
- Overseas vehicle export requirements
Browse all car shipping guides.
Sources and further reading
- U.S. Census Bureau — Used vehicle exports, including Canada
- 19 CFR Part 192 — Vehicle export controls
Sources checked October 11, 2026. Confirm current requirements for your shipment. This is general information, not an individual legal, insurance, or eligibility determination. Reference links do not imply endorsement of Highroad.