A practical guide to Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status

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Course Overview

Authorised Economic Operator Status is a system being adopted within the European Union (EU) to meet the World Customs Organisation's (WCO) requirements to ensure the security and safety of the international supply chain. The system will come into force in the EU from January 2008. All EU companies involved in the international supply chain - manufactures, exporters, importers, warehouse keepers, forwarders, customs agent and carriers - are being asked to consider joining the scheme (it is not mandatory). This presentation looks at the current information available to help companies assess the tasks required to apply successfully, the perceived benefits of AEO status or downsides if you are not AEO approved as well as concerns raised about this process.

Case studies will be used to enhance learning and understanding. A reasonable level of previous experience or knowledge in the customs/logistic areas is required to gain full benefit from attending.

Audience

Everyone who has any connection with international trade either at import or export will benefit. The following are examples of the type of company personnel who should attend:

• Managers responsible for customs control and compliance
• Financial directors and managers
• Supply chain and logistic managers
• Managers of freight companies, warehouses and clearing agents
• Import/export administrators and managers responsible for controlling customs declaration
• Quality/procedural managers who must ensure compliance and audit trails in the areas of safety, security and customs compliance

Skills Gained

Attending this seminar will help you:

• Understand fully what AEO is about
• Feel capable of understanding the potential implications of not being an AEO business and how this will affect your supply chain lead times and future business
• Identify the potential benefits of being AEO
• Know what your business has to do to comply and estimate how much it might cost in time and resources
• Understanding how this 'status' links with other similar standards, eg CT-PAT, Sarbannes-Oxley, ISO Standards, Aviation Security 'Known Shipper', etc
• Feel comfortable when talking to customers (UK/EC and overseas) or freight companies when they ask you if you are going to be AEO approved
• Audit the level of customs compliance within your company (beneficial even if you don't apply for AEO status)
• Establish a policy for safety and security within your organisation (again beneficial even if you don't seek AEO approval)
• Be certain you are up-to-date and know quickly where to go for further information on key topic areas

Course Outline

Introduction and aims of the day

Supply Chain Security as a world-wide concern

• Where it all began
• What the USA did - Container Security Initiative (CSI); Customs/Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CT-PAT), etc
• Recommendation by the World Customs Organisation (WCO)

Security, safety and the European Union (EU)

• How the EU has decided to handle supply chain security
• The re-write of the Customs Code and the Security Amendment
• The concept of the Authorised Economic Operator

Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)

• Types of AEO Status
• Identifying your company's as an applicant
• Criteria for authorisation
• The application form and requirements (Form C117)
• The questionnaire and explanatory notes examined (Form C118)
• What areas of the business need to be involved
• Understanding your responsibilities and checking your current procedures

The AEO audit and practical issues

• What will the auditors want to see?
• Time scales and internal planning
• How much of the supply chain should you check?
• Buying DDU - selling ExWorks: supply chain security implications

AEO benefits and costs

What should we do?

• Commercial considerations
• Future affect of being AEO - new EU Customs Code implications

A practical guide to Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status / CM032344