What is Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status and what are its advantages?

The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status, granted by the Ministry of Trade, is an international status that provides various facilitations and privileges in customs procedures to reliable companies. These companies must fulfill their customs obligations, maintain a regular and traceable recording system (ensuring commercial and transport records allow for accurate and effective customs controls and track goods movements), demonstrate financial solvency (maintaining a financial position sufficient to meet commitments without bankruptcy proceedings), possess safety and security standards, and maintain self-control capabilities. Companies eligible for this status are issued a certificate documenting their achievement.

As Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) are signed, this status will also be valid in different countries.

Advantages of Authorized Economic Operator Status/Certificate:

• Green Channel Processing: The ability to process goods through the “Green Channel”—where neither physical examination nor document control is required—for both imports and exports (including on-vehicle procedures).

• On-Site Customs Clearance (Export): The ability to complete export procedures at the company’s own facilities without presenting the goods to the export customs office.

• On-Site Customs Clearance (Import): The ability to complete import procedures at the company’s own facilities without presenting the goods to the import customs office.

• Authorized Consignor: The ability to dispatch transit goods from the company’s own facilities without presenting them to the customs office of departure.

• Authorized Consignee: The ability to receive transit goods at the company’s own facilities without presenting them to the customs office of destination.

• Lump-Sum Guarantee: The ability to provide a predetermined, indefinite, and non-deductible guarantee instead of separate guarantees for each transaction.

• Partial Guarantee: The ability to provide guarantees at a reduced/partial rate for secured transactions.

• Incomplete Document Declaration: The ability to make customs declarations with missing documents.

• A.TR Movement Certificate Issuance: The ability to issue A.TR movement certificates without the need for approval by chambers or visas from customs directorates.

• Invoice Declaration and EUR-MED Invoice Declaration: The ability to issue these declarations regardless of the value of the goods.

• Reduced Inspections: Being subject to fewer document controls or physical examinations.

• Priority Inspection: Priority in the execution of procedures if a document control or physical examination is required.

• Simplified Summary Declarations: The ability to submit summary declarations consisting of reduced mandatory data sets.

• Priority Security Controls: Priority in the execution of customs controls related to safety and security.

• Priority Border Crossing: The privilege of priority passage through border gates.