When shipping internationally from the United States, federal regulations often require exporters to file Electronic Export Information (EEI). However, many standard e-commerce shipments qualify for an FTR Exemption, which relieves you of the filing requirement.
If you attempt to ship an international order without providing an exemption code or a filing citation, you will likely encounter the following error: "customs_declaration.eel_pfc" must not be empty.
Things to Consider
- Shipments to Canada from the U.S. are often exempt from the value threshold requirement unless other licensing conditions apply. More about EEI can be found here.
- If your shipment value exceeds $2,500 per commodity or requires a license, you must file an EEI to receive an ITN (Internal Transaction Number) instead of using an exemption code. ITNs must be entered manually on the order details page.
Table of Contents
- How to Apply FTR Exemptions in ShipHero
- Available FTR Exemption Codes (Compiled by ShipHero as of 8/12/21)
How to Apply FTR Exemptions in ShipHero
You can resolve the "eel_pfc" error by applying the appropriate code using one of the two methods below.
Method 1: Manual Update (Per Order)
- Navigate to Orders Manage Orders and select the specific order.
- In the Details section on the right side of the page, find the FTR Exemption dropdown menu and select the appropriate code (e.g., 30.36 for Canada or 30.37(a) for low-value items).
- Click Update Details to save changes.
Method 2: Automation Rules
To prevent this error from occurring on future orders, you can create an Automation Rule:
- Go to the Orders > Automation Rules page and click "Create New Rule".
- Name your rule and select the criteria for your rule.
- Example Trigger: Set to "Country Is Canada" or "Total Value Less Than $2500".
- Action: Select FTR Exemption and choose the corresponding code.
- Click the Create button to save your rule.
Available FTR Exemption Codes (Compiled by ShipHero as of 8/12/21)
Note: EEI requirements can change frequently. Please use the external resources below for the most current information available from the carriers directly.
- DHL FTR Chart (external resource)
- USPS FTR Chart (external resource)
| Code | Description |
| 30.2(d) | Exclusion for shipments outbound from U.S. or U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico, to the following U.S. territories: American Samoa/AS, Guam/GU, and Northern Mariana Islands/MP. Also applies to shipments from U.S. Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico or U.S. |
| 30.36 | Exemption for shipments originating in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico when country code is US) destined to Canada. NOTE: Exemption DOES NOT apply to shipments sent for storage in Canada, but ultimately destined for third countries (the third country edits apply) |
| 30.37(a) | Exemption for shipments valued at USD $2,500 or less per Schedule B/HTSUSA classification for commodities shipped from one U.S. PPI to one consignee on a single day with a single export carrier. |
| 30.37(f) | Exemption for export of technology and software as defined in EAR 15 CFR 772 that does not require an export license. NOTE: EEI is required for mass-market software, which is defined as software that is generally available to the public by being sold at retail selling points, or directly from the software developer or supplier, by various means (i.e., over-the-counter, mail-order, telephone, electronic) and designed for installation by the user without further substantial technical support by the developer or supplier. |
| 30.37(g) | Shipments of books, maps, charts, pamphlets and similar articles to foreign libraries, government establishments, or similar institutions. |
| 30.37(h) | Shipments as authorized under License Exception GFT for gift parcels and humanitarian donations (15 CFR 740.12 (a) and 9b)) |
| 30.37(i) | Exemption for diplomatic pouches and their contents. |
| 30.37(j) | Exemption for human remains and accompanying receptacles and flowers. |
| 30.37(k) | Exemption for shipments of interplant correspondence, executed invoices and other documents of company business records from a U.S. firm to its subsidiary or affiliate. (This excludes highly technical plans, correspondence, etc. that could be licensed). |
| 30.37(o) | Exemption of shipments of aircraft parts, equipment, provisions and supplies for use on aircraft by a U.S. airline to its own installation and aircraft. [EAR license exception (AVS) for aircraft and vessels 15 CFR 740.15(c).] |
| 30.37(q) | Exemption of temporary exports, whether shipped or hand carried (e.g. carnets) that are exported from or returned to the U.S. in less than one year (12 months) from date of export. |
| 30.37(r) | Exemption of goods previously imported under Temporary Import Bond for return in the same condition as when imported |
| 30.37(s) | Exemption for banknotes and securities, and coins in circulation exported as evidence of financial claims. EEI must be filed for unissued bank notes and securities and coins not in circulation (such as bank notes printed in the U.S. and exported in fulfillment of the printing contract, or as parts of collections) which should be reported at their commercial or current value. NOTE: FedEx can only transport these commodities as an exception shipment with Legal approval until such time as they are removed from the Prohibited Items List. |
| 30.37(t) | Exemption of documents used in international transactions, documents moving out of the U.S. to facilitate international transactions including airline tickets, internal revenue stamps, liquor stamps and advertising literature. |
| 30.37(u) | Exports of technical data and defense service exemptions as cited in 22 CFR 123.22 (b) (3) (iii) of the ITAR |
| 30.37(v) | Exemption for vessels, locomotives, aircraft, rail cars, trucks, other vehicles, trailers, pallets, cargo vans, lift vans, or similar shipping containers not considered shipped in terms of the regulations in this part, when they are moving, either loaded or empty, without transfer of ownership or title, in their capacity as carriers of goods or as instruments of such carriers. |
| 30.37(w) | Shipments to Army Post Office, Diplomatic Post Office or Fleet Post Office. |
| 30.37(x) | Shipments exported under license exception Baggage (BAG) (15 CFR 740.14). |
| 30.37(y) | The following types of shipments destined for a country listed in Country Group E:1 as set forth in Supplement No. 1 to 15 CFR part 740 are not required to be filed in the AES: (1) Shipments of published books, software, maps, charts, pamphlets, or any other similar media available for general distribution, as described in 15 CFR 734.7 to foreign libraries, or similar institutions. (2) Shipments to U.S. government agencies and employees that are lawfully exported under License Exception GOV (15 CFR 740.11). (3) Personal effects as described in 15 CFR 740.14 (b) (1) being lawfully exported under License Exception BAG (15 CFR 740.14). (4) Individual gift parcels and humanitarian donations being lawfully exported under License Exception GFT (15 CFR 740.12 (a) and (b). (5) Vessels and aircraft lawfully leaving the U.S. for temporary sojourn to or in a Country Group E:1 country under License Exception AVS (15 CFR 740.15). (6) Tools of trade that will be used by a person traveling to a Country Group E:1 destination, that will be returned to the U.S. within one year and that are lawfully being exported to a Country Group E:1 destination under License Exception BAG (15 CFR 740.14) or License Exception TMP (15 CFR 740.9 (a)). |
| 30.39 | Special exemption for shipments consigned to the U.S. Armed Services for their exclusive use, including shipments to armed services exchange systems. NOTE: Exemption DOES NOT apply to shipments not consigned to the U.S. Armed Services, regardless of whether they may be for their ultimate use. |
| 30.40(a) | Special exemption for office furniture, office equipment, and office supplies shipped to and for the exclusive use of U.S. government offices. |
| 30.40(b) | Special exemption for household goods and personal property shipped to and for the exclusive and personal use of U.S. government employees. |
| 30.40(c) | Special exemption for food, medicines, and related items and other commissary supplies shipped to U.S. government offices or employees for the exclusive use of such employees, or to U.S. government employee cooperatives or other associates for subsequent sale or other distribution to such employees. |
| 30.40(d) | Special exemption for books, maps, charts, pamphlets, and similar articles shipped by U.S. government offices to U.S. or foreign libraries, government establishments, or similar institutions. |