On 1st January 2008, the changes brought about by EC Regulations no. 648/2005 and no. 1875/2006 amending the Community Customs Code (EC Reg no. 450/2008) and the Customs Code Implementing Provisions (EC Reg. No. 2454/1993) respectively, came into force in the EU 27 Member States. These refer to the issuing of AEO/Customs Semplifications or AEO/Security or AEO/Customs Semplifications and Security certificates, all being valid throughout the Community.

This Community certification scheme applies to all economic operators and their business partners playing a role in the international supply chain, i.e. producers, exporters, forwarders, warehousekeepers, customs agents, carriers, importers who are involved in activities covered by the relevant customs legislation and are eligible in terms of reliability and security in the supply chain.

The requirements to obtain an AEO status are tailored to all types of enterprises (also small and medium), irrespective of their size, and special criteria are envisaged for the other stakeholders concerned, e.g. intermediaries and customs representatives. Such characteristics vary depending of the size and the complexity of the business, the types of goods as well as other specific factors which will be taken into consideration by the Customs Authority.

Community reliability and AEO/customs status are recognised after the Customs Authority (i.e. the Customs Agency, in Italy) has verified that customs obligations are fulfilled, accounting criteria are met, and the operator is financially solvent. Apart from the above requirements, for an AEO/Security status to be recognised, the operator must demonstrate compliance with safety and security rules.

It is not mandatory for an economic operator to obtain a status as an Authorised Economic Operator - it is an individual choice, which is based on the operational circumstances of each operator. However, an AEO status allows economic operators to benefit from direct or indirect advantages and facilitations when performing customs operations.

Authorised Economic Operators are not obliged to impose on their business partners that they obtain an AEO status too. Actually, Authorised Economic Operators are only held responsible for their part of the supply chain although the security standards of their business partners are taken into account to ensure security.

For the AEO status to be recognised, a special audit needs to be applied for at the competent Customs Office. This will be based on any information and data elements already available, i.e. authorisations granted for simplified/local customs procedures, customs audit, as well as any certifications obtained by the applicant, conclusions by experts in the relevant sectors, internationally recognised certifications, which will be produced by the party. The AEO Authorisation process will thereby be facilitated.

Users can easily trace, in the dedicated links on this web page, the Community rules of reference, the main documents by the European Commission and the Customs Agency concerning the procedure for the recognition of the AEO status, the forms to be used, the FAQs providing answers to the most frequent questions, the list of contact points at Central and Regional Offices.