• Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)
  • Background
  • Applications
  • AEO Advantages
  • Information from the European Union
• FAQs

Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)

Enterprises involved in international trade and commerce may apply to Customs for the status of Authorised Economic Operator (AEO). AEO certificate offers different advantages in international trade. Customs grants various facilities for physical customs inspections to enterprises with the AEO status.

Enterprises that would like to qualify for the AEO status must meet a number of criteria. The AEO-status and the guidelines for granting the status are based on the Community Customs Code and the pertaining implementing regulation.

There are three kinds of AEO certificates:

• The Customs simplifications Certificate
• The Security and safety Certificate
• A combined Customs simplification and Security and safety certificate

The degree to which an enterprise is granted facilities for the inspection depends on:

• the type of certificate
• the role an enterprise fulfils within the logistic chain

Private

• Travel baggage
• Internetpurchases
• Removal goods
• Excise duties and consumption taxes

Business

• Entry
• Import
• Storage
• Transport of goods
• Export
• Export (ECS Exit)
• Safety, health, economy and environment (VGEM)
• Excise duties and consumption taxes