Effective from the 31 January 2013 the agreement between the EU and US has now been fully implemented. This means that an AEO business with S or F status can receive benefits at the US frontier and a US C-TPAT business with exports to the EU will receive benefits at the EU frontier.
The EU Commission has produced frequently asked questions on the arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions EU - US Mutual Recognition Decision (PDF 362K)
Please report any issues with using the US site to the AEO Policy Team.
AEO application packs consisting of forms C117, C117 (Notes), C118 and C118 (Notes) are available on the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) website. Your application must contain both forms to be accepted.
Notice 117 Authorised Economic Operator is also available on the HMRC website.
Postal applications can be sent to:
HMRC AEO Central Site
Fitz Roy House
Castle Meadow Road
Nottingham
NG2 1AB
HMRC strongly suggest that applicants sending documents by post use a recorded/registered service for data security purposes.
Email: AEOapplications
Tel: 0845 001 0089
AEO draft Guidance v6 is available on request via email.
The EU Commission AEO Guidelines
The European Commission has launched an AEO database which allows anyone to check who holds a certificate, which type, date of issue and country.
The amendment to the Community Customs Code (the Security Amendment), adopted by the European Parliament in April 2005, allows Customs authorities to grant the status of AEO to any business that satisfies EU criteria.
EC Regulation 648/2005, Implementing Provisions and EU forms are available on the Commission’s Europa website.
Once a Member State has granted a business (economic operator) AEO status, this status is recognised across all Member States.
AEOs will be able to benefit from facilitations for customs controls or simplifications for customs rules or both, depending on the type of AEO certificate. There are three certificate types:
Criteria include an appropriate record of customs compliance, satisfactory management systems that allow appropriate customs controls and proven solvency. Additionally for Security and Safety, it includes details of the security and safety standards to be met. The applicant will need to hold an EORI number to apply for AEO.
HMRC have introduced a BTEC qualification which is also available to businesses wishing to gain a more in depth understanding of the AEO Safety and Security criteria.
More details can be obtained by contacting Senate Training.
Other courses and providers may also be available.
Currently the EU has in place Mutual Recognition Agreements with:
Businesses who hold an AEOS/F status will receive benefits at the frontier if they are importing into those countries – Japanese or USA businesses who hold the relevant status will receive the same benefits when importing into the EU. It should be noted that benefits for US exporters should be in place by early 2013.
Norway and Switzerland are due to complete their mutual recognition agreements by end of 2012.
China is under negotiation and it is hoped this will conclude in 2013-14.
Canada, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea - negotiations are due to start shortly.
The Commission has adopted two new regulations (1005/08 and 1010/09) in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. If your business is involved in the importation/exportation of fish, fish products/processing from/to a third country a new scheme will be launched in 2010. To be eligible for the scheme a business must first hold an AEO authorisation - they may then apply for the APEO (Approved Economic Operators) scheme. More details are available on the Defra website.
Businesses involved in the import/export of fish should note that the application form C115 for Approved Economic Operator (APEO) is now available. Further details regarding eligibility are on the Defra website.
The AEO Policy Team can be contacted at AEOteam for Policy enquiries.
Applications and general queries for AEO can be sent to AEOapplications for all other enquiries.
General queries (including from the press and media) about AEOs should be made to the Excise and Customs Helpline on Tel 0845 010 9000.
The European Commission has developed an online EU training package for businesses interested in the AEO scheme which is now accessible.
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