The Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) concept is a key feature in the Security Amendment to the Customs code. SITPRO feels that, as a concept, it offers a real opportunity to develop meaningful cooperation between individual traders and customs administrations and reduce trade related transaction costs. Ideally, the AEO concept would allow administrations to free traders from the burden of consignment by consignment based declarations, moving towards an audit based control regime.
Sadly, this rhetoric has not been matched by the Commission's recently proposed implementing provisions. Instead of developing an ambitious programme to free traders from regulatory burden, the Commission appears to be adding to the burden and offering few incentives for traders to become authorised. Nevertheless, SITPRO, with EUROPRO, is continuing to apply pressure on the Commission and member state administrations and through EUROPRO, in partnership with leading trade associations, a letter was sent inviting the Commission to take industry more fully into its confidence and listen to its views.
The AEO concept will remain an important area of debate in the coming months and one forum for discussion of this issue will be the forthcoming meeting of SITPRO’s International Trade Practices Group on Wednesday 30 November. We are still keen to hear from the trade on this matter and you are invited to send your comments to us (info@sitpro.org.uk).
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 54, Autumn 2005
