How to Resolve Common AES Response Messages
July 20, 2026
Note: This message is sent to all AES Updates subscribers and is for educational purposes only.
When submitting your Electronic Export Information (EEI) to the Automated Export System (AES), you can receive different response messages: Fatal, Compliance, Verify, Informational and Warning. It is important that AES filers address and/or correct Response Messages as soon as they are received to comply with the Foreign Trade Regulations.
To help you take the appropriate action, here is guidance on how to address one of the most frequent Response Messages that was generated in the AES last month.
Response Code: 649
Narrative: Quantity 1 Cannot Exceed Shipping Weight
Severity: Fatal
Reason: The Unit of Measure 1 for the reported Schedule B/HTS requires kilograms and Quantity 1 exceeds the Shipping Weight.
Resolution: For the Schedule B/HTS reported, Quantity 1 must be reported in kilograms. Quantity 1 in kilograms cannot exceed the Shipping Weight.
Verify the Quantity 1 and Shipping Weight, correct the shipment and resubmit.
For a complete list of the AES Response Codes, their reasons and resolutions, see Appendix A – Commodity Filing Response Messages.
As a reminder, filers have multiple resources that they can use when filing EEI in the AES. You can access User Guides, Walk-through videos and other resources on our website.
Please contact the U.S. Census Bureau’s Trade Data Collection Branch for further information or questions.
Telephone: (800) 549-0595, select option 1 for AES
Email: askaes@census.gov
Online: www.census.gov/trade
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