AEP trader guides and appendices

The Automated Entry Processing (AEP) system handles the validation, processing, duty accounting and clearance of customs declarations.

Note

Since 4 October 2021, import declarations can only be submitted through the Automated Import System (AIS). 

Since 22 May 2023, export declarations can only be submitted through the Automated Export System (AES).

Since 4 September 2023, it is no longer possible to make amendments electronically to import or export declarations lodged in AEP. You will find information about how to amend declarations in AEP from 4 September 2023 in eCustoms notification 21-2023.

The following documents set out the formats, definitions and business rules for declarations that are input through the AEP system:

• AEP trader guide for exports
• AEP trader guide for imports
• Delimited error messages file
• Appendix 1 - Office of Import Codes (Box A)
• Appendix 1B - Office of Export Codes  (Box A)
• Appendix 2 - Type of importation and exportation codes (Box 1.1)
• Appendix 3 - Declaration type codes (Box 1.2)
• Appendix 4 - ISO alpha 2 country codes
• Appendix 5 - Valuation codes (Box 12)
• Appendix 6 - Status of the declarant or representative codes (Box 14.1)
• Appendix 7 - Region codes (not required)
• Appendix 8 - Goods are or are not in container codes (Box 19)
• Appendix 9 - Incoterm codes (Box 20.1 - 20.3)
• Appendix 10 - Currency codes (Box 22.1)
• Appendix 11 - Nature of the transaction codes (Box 24)
• Appendix 12 - Mode of transport codes (Box 25 and Box 26)
• Appendix 13 - Office of exit and entry codes (Box 29)
• Appendix 14 - Location of goods code (Box 30)
• Appendix 15 - Port of loading code (Box 31.3)
• Appendix 16 - Package type codes (Box 31.5)
• Appendix 17 - Preference codes (Box 36)
• Appendix 18 - Procedure codes (Box 37)
• Appendix 19 - Summary declaration,  previous document and document abbreviation codes (Box 40)
• Appendix 20 - Valuation method codes (Box 43)
• Appendix 21 - Additional information, certificates and supporting documents (Box 44)
• Appendix 22 - Tax type codes (Box 47.1)
• Appendix 23 - Method of payment codes (Box 47.5)
• Appendix 24 - Type of warehouse codes (Box 49)
• Appendix 25 - Airline codes (Box 31.3)
• Appendix 27 - Transport charges method of payment codes (Box S29)
• Appendix 28 - UN dangerous goods codes (Box 44)
• Appendix 29 - Specific circumstances indicator codes (Box S32)
• Appendix 30 - VAT rate codes (Box 44)
• Appendix 31 - National Excise Additional codes (Box 33.5)
• Supplement No.2 - Business rules relating to procedure codes
• Supplement No.3 - Additional information relating to AEP response messages.

Data protection

The Import, Export and Transit Directory (IET) at OLAF (European Commission anti-fraud office) collects information on the movement of goods for customs purposes. This information is collected from the Export Control System (ECS) when goods are exported using the AEP system.

The information collected usually refers to companies, but may also refer to individuals. You can find further information on the data collected by the IET in Privacy Statement for IET.

Further information

Revenue operates a helpline for queries on AEP.