AEO status is intended as a means of identifying compliant businesses that import from or export out of the EU. Any legal entity involved in activities covered by customs legislation and forming part of the international supply chain can apply for AEO status. This includes logistic operators, carriers, freight forwarders and customs agents.
Why AEO ?
AEO status is all about building a partnership between a reliable trade partner on the one hand and Customs on the other hand. Certified companies have in principle direct and/or indirect benefits such as e.g. decrease/waiver of customs guarantees, expedited processing and release of shipments, priority processing by Customs, reduced data set for cargo release. Moreover AEO conditions and criteria have to be fulfilled for simplified procedures.
How to apply for AEO ?
First of all, you need to answer the questions of the official Self-Assessment and take remediation actions where necessary to comply. This is followed by an official request and an audit by the Customs Authorities.
You also need to maintain your AEO standards: follow-up changes and remediation actions where applicable, as well as communicating significant changes to Customs and executing internal controls. The conditions and criteria for AEO authorization relevant to each category of business will apply to all businesses regardless their size. However, it is accepted that the standard of compliance will vary and be in proportion to the size and complexity of the business, type of goods handled etc.
What are the challenges ?
How to obtain AEO certification with the fewest resources and as fast as possible for different legal entities in the same or in different Member States, in the same or in different languages ?
How to group information and procedures that are scattered throughout the organisation with IT, logistics, supply chain, finance, purchase, safety and security ?
How to maintain AEO requirements after obtaining certification as efficiently as possible ?
Your partner for AEO cerification
AEO certification is a process: self-assessment guidance, co-ordination and review, validation of procedures, remediation measures, development and implementation of internal control plans, drafting your application, assistance with the audit by authorities and maintenance after obtaining the AEO certificate. Our competent AEO team guides your through the AEO certification process, we provide guidance and hand-on assistance on each phase of the project with real insight and focus on the practical issues.
Innovative in customs
We have developed our own tool to support your AEO certification process. Our C4T AEO tool is a user-friendly web-based tool to assist with your application for AEO and the maintenance of your AEO certificate. The interactive platform allows sharing information with your collegues and continuous maintenance. It is designed to reduce your project time for getting the AEO status and reduces efforts for your internal and external resources. With the easy status reporting your are in control of the process.
E-learning modules on ‘Authorised Economic Operator’
E-learning modules on the ‘Authorised Economic Operator( (AEO) are available free of charge on the website of DG-Taxud (the European Commission’s Directorate General for Taxation and the Customs Union).
One is designed for the Customs administrations of the Member States and the other for European traders.
The training module for traders addresses the needs of several thousands of businesses throughout the EU. It will help companies to learn the relevant facts about the new AEO legislation, related benefits and how to become an AEO.