Davies Turner, pictured receiving their AEO certificate, will be talking to traders about their experiences
In order to add clarity to what can be a very difficult business decision on whether to join the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) scheme, SITPRO will be holding two half-day information seminars for SMEs interested in learning more about the benefits and costs of applying. At today's presentation of certificates to the UK's first five AEOs, by HM Revenue and Customs, their Director of Customs and International, Doug Tweddle, commented on the low initial take-up for the scheme.
The half day seminars on 17 June will be of significant benefit to traders seeking to familiarise themselves with the scheme. Among the presenters is one of the UK's first accredited AEOs, firm Davies Turner, who will be offering a trade perspective and talking about their experiences in applying to join the scheme and going through the audit process. There will also be presentations at the seminars by HMRC and SITPRO's own trade facilitation experts.
SITPRO has been informed that out of potentially 150,000 traders in the UK, only just over a 100 have actually applied for AEO status. In his speech this afternoon Mr Tweddle partly attributed this to "the highly facilitative existing environment" in the UK. However, he argued that, "This is the way the world will do its Customs business in the future."
SITPRO's Deputy Director of Trade Practices Peter Kenton explains, "It is important for traders to consider whether to apply for AEO status now. There are potential trade facilitation benefits for companies involved in the scheme, particularly as international mutual recognition of these standards grows and UK SMEs must not miss out because they do not have the information required to make an informed decision."
Notes for Editors
AEO Information Seminars
SITPRO’s AEO Information Seminars are being held in the morning and the afternoon on Tuesday 17 June 2008 and will cost £95 per delegate. Further details including a full programme and registration form can be found at http://www.sitpro.org.uk/events/aeoseminars.html.
SITPRO
SITPRO is the UK's trade facilitation agency, established in 1970 to simplify international trade procedures. Much of its work has focused upon improving the procedures at ports and borders, looking at issues such as improving the arrangements for inspecting goods at the border and streamlining the submission of data to government, including the development of the UK International Trade Single Window, a tool that will allow a business to submit to one place all the data required by Government to clear import or export goods.
SITPRO is a non-departmental public body funded by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and undertakes policy work at national, European and international levels.
For further information, visit SITPRO's website at http://www.sitpro.org.uk/.
SITPRO News Release - 28 April 2008
Return to SITPRO News: News Releases
