When the mailer or authorized agent has filed the Electronic Export Information (EEI), AES will provide an alphanumeric Internal Transaction Number (ITN), which confirms that EEI was successfully filed. Mailpieces presented to the Postal Service must bear the Proof of Filing Citation (PFC), which consists of the letters “AES” followed by the ITN. If the AES is unavailable at the time of filing, the mailer or authorized agent must provide an AES Downtime Citation instead of the PFC — an AES Downtime Citation consists of the letters “AESDOWN,” the user’s identification number, and the date. Customers must legibly write the PFC on the applicable customs form without obstructing the barcode on the label. On PS Form 2976, customers may write the number anywhere on the “green” portion of the form; on PS Form 2976-A, customers may write the number at the top of the form or in any clear space.
