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What is Authorized Economic Operator(AEO)?

Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) is defined as one of the participating party in the movement of international trade in a manner that conforms to international customs regulations or to equivalent adopted standards of supply chain security. The economic operator includes importers, exporters, manufacturers, brokers, transportation companies, ports, airports, ports operators, warehouses and distributors.

AEO REQUIREMENTS

There are conditions and requirements that should be met with the AEO based on its scope. Generally, they consist of the following.

Compliance with basic Customs requirements

Compliance with financial system requirements

Compliance with internal control system

Compliance with data processing systems

Compliance with international security requirements

JOIN THE AEO PROGRAMME

Check the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programme Guide.

Ensure that your company is eligible to join AEO Programme.

Submit application to join the programme.

You will receive an e-mail verifying that Customs Affairs has received your application to join the programme including a reference number to follow-up on your application status.

You will be contacted once Customs Affairs ensured that your company is eligible to join the programme and have met the basic customs requirements and conditions.

A visit to your company premises will be arranged to proceed with procedures to join AEO Programme.

ARE YOU READY? APPLY NOW TRACK YOUR SUBMISSION

AEO Facilitations

The following represent the facilitations to be granted to the satisfactory companies, which have passed all the qualifying requirements and conditions to obtain AEO certificate. Customs will keep the confidentiality of the information related to the beneficiary.

Priority in clearance and release procedures

Priority in clearance procedures

Specified counter working 24/7 to provide services to AEOs in clearance phase.
Immediate and fast release of goods against financial or written guarantees upon the completion of Customs declaration procedures including control bodies procedures based on the type of goods.
Exemption from examination and physical inspection except in cases determined by Customs Affairs.
Distinguishing AEOs Customs declarations through distinguished marks.
Priority in dealing with AEOs within the facilitation mechanism applied in emergency procedures when electronic clearance system (OFOQ) breakdown or X-ray scanners.

Priority in release procedures

Benefiting from examination at AEO premises.

Granting AEO certificate and honouring

Granting AEO certificate to operators that have passed AEO Programme conditions and requirements. AEOs are announced through press release including Customs Affairs website and official newspapers. Awards ceremony is held to AEOs and their representatives, upon the receipt of AEO certificate.
Announcement of AEOs at Customs borders.

Determination of points of contact and follow-up

Assigning an AEO liaison officer to undertake:
- Assistance and provision of advice to resolve issues and answer inquiries and proper guidance.
- Follow-up of AEOs procedures until release of goods.
- Follow-up of release procedures of AEOs consignments and ensure resolving any problems encountered.
Providing AEOs with all instructions and issued administrative orders and answering any inquiries.

Benefiting from agreements

Benefiting from Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs).
Coordination with OGAs through signed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to facilitate and minimise examination procedures on AEOs.