Under the AEO Status programme, a company involved in international trade must be compliant with supply chain security standards and granted AEO status & certain benefits.
The AEO Programme is in reference with the obligations made under Article 7.7 of WTO TFA. Though AEO Registration is not a mandatory scheme, it is a voluntary compliance programme. It ensures development and rationalization in cargo security via. close cooperation with the entity associated in international trade including importers, exporters, custodians, logistics providers, warehouse operators or customs brokers.
AEO-Eligibility Criteria for a company
- The company must have managed a minimum of 25 documents (Bills of Entry or Shipping Bills) in the previous Financial Year.
- The company should have experience in Customs work.
- The company must be a part of the international supply chain.
- The company must have had company activity in the last 3 Financial Years.
Benefits of obtaining AEO Registration
- Self-declaration of Standard Input Output Norms (SION) under Para 4.07A of FTP 2015-20 for the AEO Exporters in cases where the SION is not notified.
- Insertion of the Direct Port Delivery of the imports guarantees timely inventory management by the manufacturers seeking clearance from the wharf to the warehouse for AEO T1, T2 and T3.
- Insertion of the Direct Port Entry for the manufacturing plant stuffed containers meant for export by AEOs Status
- Provision of overdue payment in customs duties. It safeguards delinking of custom clearance and duty payment for AEO T2 and AEO T3.
- Benefits of Mutual Recognition Agreements with Customs Administrations for AEO T2 and AEO T3. MRA performs as an equalizer to complement the minor differences to guarantee seamless facilitation of movement of goods across borders for the AEO registered entities.
- Fast-tracking of judgements and refunds that includes IGST refunds & disbursal of drawbacks.
Nutshell
The AEO Registration enables Customs administration to identify the safe and compliant business entity to provide them a higher degree of assured facilitation. ASC follows end to end approach for obtaining AEO Status right from the planning and readiness assessment stage till getting the final approval of AEO Registration status.