In the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)-Automated Export System (AES), “Verify” messages alert users to potential errors in shipping information. These messages are an opportunity to review your Electronic Export Information (EEI) to ensure data describing the export shipment is reported correctly. Common errors can be found in a product’s commodity classification code as well as in the reported value, quantity, shipping weight, and country of origin/destination.

In this blog, we provide more information on “Verify” messages, including tips on resolving them. Import entries also receive “Verify” messages in ACE based on the Harmonized Tariff System (HTS). Therefore, this blog also applies to imports classified under the HTS.

“Where do ‘Verify’ Messages come from?”

The U.S. Census Bureau’s International Trade Indicator Micro Analysis Branch oversees import and export data using the World Customs Organization’s Harmonized System (HS), which categorizes goods using six-digit numbers to ensure consistent international product descriptions. In the United States, classification codes extend beyond these standard six digits by an additional four digits, resulting in complete 10-digit codes. The United States employs these 10-digit codes in two distinct classification systems: the United States Harmonized Tariff System (US-HTS) for imports and the Schedule B for exports.

Each Schedule B number has a set of specific parameters based on historical trade data and regulatory requirements, and these parameters are set by the Census Bureau’s International Trade Indicator Micro Analysis Branch. These parameters outline typical ranges as well as irregularities based on reported fields: value (in U.S. dollars), shipping weight (in kilograms), quantity, and country of origin/destination. Additionally, these parameters account for relationships between reported fields, such as the relationship between reported value and quantity (i.e., unit value) or between the reported quantity and shipping weight.

If you’ve ever received a Census Bureau “Verify” message in the AES, that’s our parameters at work. AES generates a “Verify” message when EEI falls outside the parameters of that classification code.

Let’s review an example of a common “Verify” message. In this example, you export guitars under Schedule B 9202.90.3000, and you should report its quantity in the number of individual guitars. You report the quantity as two guitars, but you mistakenly report the value as $500,000 instead of $5,000. Using the fields of “Value” and “Quantity,” the unit value ends up being $250,000 per guitar, instead of the true $2,500 per guitar. Many “Verify” messages are the result of keying errors, and the parameters set for Schedule B 9202.90.3000 may catch this mistake in the form of a “Verify” message. If you take the opportunity to review your submission, you’ll be able to correct the value.

In this same example, what if you verified the value and quantity? Perhaps your guitars are antiques or of significance to collectors, and the unit value is truly $250,000 per guitar. In that case, the value and quantity are fine as is, but you should still take the time to review all the fields of your export. Although the “Verify” message may reference the high unit value, it’s truly saying that your unit value is high based on the Schedule B number. If you review the terms of your Schedule B 9202.90.3000, you’ll notice that your guitars should be classified elsewhere: Chapter 97 classifies products that are collectors’ pieces or antiques. Therefore, when you get a “Verify” message, it is best to review all aspects of your export.

Lastly, for exports, don’t confuse a “Verify” message with a Fatal Error message, which requires a correction before submission. A “Verify” message will not reject the EEI submission. If you proceed with the “Verify” message, you will still receive an Internal Transaction Number (ITN) and your EEI will still be accepted. Instead, this message encourages you to review the accuracy of your EEI. If you find an error, retrieve the EEI, make the necessary correction(s), and resubmit the EEI.

“I received a ‘Verify’ message. Now what?”

As we work with exporters who have questions about “Verify” messages, we commonly see mistakes occur due to incorrect reporting of the value or quantity, Schedule B misclassification, or misunderstanding the unit of measure. It’s best to review your entire export transaction when you receive a “Verify” message. Be sure to review the following data elements.

Because parameters are set for every individual Schedule B number, it’s good practice to confirm the accuracy of your commodity classification code. Did you enter the code correctly, or did you incorrectly classify frozen fish as fresh fish? Did you classify your product as jewelry, but Legal Notes indicate it should be classified under antiques in Chapter 97?

For assistance with Schedule B classification, check out our Schedule B Search Engine found at www.census.gov/scheduleb.

For guidelines on the classification of products, review the World Customs Organization’s General Rules of Interpretation.

This field should be reported in U.S. dollars. Did you enter the value in another currency by mistake? Did you include cents when the value should be reported in whole dollars?

For more information about the term “value,” visit our International Trade Definitions webpage.

Each commodity classification code is associated with a specific unit or units of measurement in which you are required to report. This ensures that everyone is reporting the quantity or quantities in a uniform fashion.

For example, “1 box of chewing gum” could mean very different units between a small box or a large box. Therefore, chewing gum under Schedule B 1704.10.0000 has a unit of measurement of kilograms. So, exporters of chewing gum should report the net weight of this product in kilograms.

For more information about the term “quantity,” visit our International Trade Definitions webpage.

Shipping weight is always reported in kilograms (kg), and it will include the weight of the product as well as the weight of normal packaging (e.g., boxes, crates, etc.). If you’ve received a “Verify” message related to your shipping weight, be sure you haven’t reported the shipping weight in pounds (lbs.).

Several fields indicate the country where a party resides or the country of destination. For more information about these fields, visit our International Trade Definitions webpage.

Make sure you properly reported the country in these fields, as countries may have similar International Organization for Standardization (ISO) codes. For example, China’s country abbreviation is CN, Switzerland’s country abbreviation is CH, and Canada’s country abbreviation is CA. Which of these countries did you mean to report?

For a list of country and ISO codes, visit our Schedule C – Country Codes and Descriptions webpage.

“I receive the same ‘Verify’ message each time I file an export under the same Schedule B number. Everything is correct. What can I do?”

The International Trade Indicator Micro Analysis Branch sets the parameters for each Schedule B and HTS number.

To request an update for a Schedule B number used for exports in the AES, refer to the Parameter Change Request Process webpage for a Schedule B number.

To request an update for an HTS number used for imports in the Automated Commercial Environment, refer to the ABI/ACE Parameter Change Request webpage.

For more information about change requests, contact the Micro Analysis Branch at EID.parameterchange@census.gov.

“Verify” messages are generated from AES and alert AES filers of possible errors in EEI filing. These messages encourage you to review your EEI to confirm or verify they’re correct. However, they will not prevent you from exporting your shipment. Accurate filing of the EEI in AES will ensure smooth processing, and it contributes to the trade data that’s reported in the U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services (FT900) Report.

For assistance with classifying a product under the Schedule B for exports, contact the Micro Analysis Branch at 301-549-0595 (menu option #2) or eid.scheduleb@census.gov.