What were the reasons for introducing AEO?
The introduction of AEO status is the EU response to the need to secure international supply chains and the introduction of Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) in the USA. It is hoped that mutual recognition of similar systems, across other third countries, will take place in the future. There are two pilots happening which will test the mutual recognition, control standards and controls of AEO. These are with the US and China and are being managed by colleagues in Policy, London. HMRC will provide updates on the progress of these pilots via the Joint Customs Consultative Committee (JCCC) network The EU Commission will be looking at the results of the pilots and taking forward the negotiations. Potential date for agreement mid 2009.
The introduction of AEO status is the EU response to the need to secure international supply chains and the introduction of Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) in the USA. AEO is based on, and is compatible with, the World Customs Organisation’s SAFE Framework of Standards which is being implemented by Customs authorities across the globe. The criteria for a Customs simplification AEO also provide a common and harmonised set of criteria for granting customs simplifications across the EU.
