Who can apply for AEO status?
A. Application for AEO status is open to all economic operators established within the customs territory of the EU. Article 1 of Regulation 1875/2006 defines an economic operator as “a person who in the course of his business, is involved in activities covered by customs legislation”. In accordance with Article 4 of the Customs Code, the definition of a ‘person’ is as follows: • a natural person; • a legal person; • where the possibility is provided for under the rules in force, an association of persons recognised as having the legal capacity to perform legal acts but lacking the legal status of a legal person. If a person is not directly involved in importing/exporting s/he may not be an economic operator as defined in the regulation. Application for AEO status will be open to all links in the global supply chain, i.e.: manufacturers, exporters, freight forwarders, warehouse-keepers, clearance agents, carriers and importers.
