General Rule

Electronic Export Information (EEI) is required when the value of the shipment to a foreign location is over $2,500, or if a federal export license is required to export the commodity.

There are some exceptions to that general rule, especially as it concerns shipments to China, Russia and Venezuela. For these shipments—which must be cleared by OEC prior to shipping—EEI must also be filed if the shipment is:

  • intended for a military end-use;
  • to support supercomputing or advanced semiconductor fabrication (China only); or
  • an item with an ECCN, regardless of value or whether an export license is required to export the item.

For more information on EEI see U.S. Census Bureau website

Additional Information

  • Prior to exporting, the exporter should acquire the Schedule B number for the commodity they intend to export. The Schedule B number must be reported through the Automated Export System (AES) to identify the goods being exported. This number can be obtained from the Census Bureau at 1-800-549-0595 If the exporter is sending baggage or containers with their personal or household goods valued over $2,500 to a foreign destination, other than Canada, they must also file EEI.
  • Shipments with an ultimate destination in Canada, or U.S. possessions (i.e. Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Midway Island, Wake Island and American Samoa), do not need to file EEI, as long as the goods are not licensed or contain rough or uncut diamonds. However, if the ultimate destination is the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico the EEI must be filed. For additional exemptions, see the FTR Sections 30.36-30.40.