Authorised Economic Operators (AEO)

The Union Customs Code provides for the following types of AEO authorisation:

1. AEOC – customs simplifications

Entitles the holder to benefit from certain simplifications provided for under customs legislation.

2. AEOS – security and safety

Entitles the holder to benefit from facilitations related to security and safety.

Both types of authorisation may be held at the same time. In that case, a single combined authorisation is issued – Customs simplifications / security and safety AEOF.

AEO status provides the following benefits:

• recognised in all EU Member States
• granted on the basis of uniform criteria in all EU Member States
• access to uniform and more favourable conditions for customs controls related to security and safety in all EU Member States
• a lower risk level applied in respect of security and safety aspects
• less stringent examination of goods and documents
• where an authorisation for the use of simplifications provided for under customs legislation is issued, there is no need to verify the conditions for granting the authorisation if they were verified at the time AEO status was granted
• the possibility of having a consignment examined on a priority basis and at a chosen location (if the consignment is selected for examination)
• reduced requirements for the submission of advance information on goods being brought in or taken out (AEOS and AEOF only)
• advance notification of an intended examination of a goods consignment (AEOS and AEOF only)
• recognition as a trusted partner in terms of security and safety aspects at international level
• recognised globally under international agreements between the EU and third countries

Additional simplifications for AEOC and AEOF authorisation holders only:

• centralised clearance – the possibility for a person to submit a customs declaration to the customs office supervising the place of establishment when the goods are presented to customs at another customs office
• self-assessment – the possibility of carrying out certain customs formalities oneself

AEO status may be obtained by any economic operator established in the EU who:

• has no record of serious or repeated violations of customs and tax legislation and is not associated with serious criminal offences
• maintains a high level of control of operations and the flow of goods, enabling appropriate customs examination
• is financially solvent
• meets security and safety standards (for AEOS and AEOF)
• meets practical competence or professional qualification standards (for AEOC and AEOF)

Important: economic operators meeting the AEO criteria may provide customs representation services in other EU Member States without additional conditions.

Applications are submitted exclusively by electronic means via the Customs Decisions Management System (CDMS) trader portal: https://customs.ec.europa.eu/tpui-cdms-web/

What must be submitted together with the application

• AEO self-assessment questionnaire (completed electronically in the CDMS trader portal)
• Required explanations and documents as specified in the AEO guidelines: https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2017-03/aeo_guidelines_lt.pdf

AEO authorisation holders are entitled to use the official AEO logo in their documents.

How to obtain the right to use the logo

• Submit a written application to the Customs Department
• Indicate the name, surname and email address of the contact person
• Upon receipt of the decision from the Customs Department, you must confirm electronically that you have read and understood the conditions of use of the logo
• You will then be provided with the logo files

Rules for use of the logo

• The authorisation is valid only for as long as AEO status remains valid
• The logo must be used without altering its shape, colours or proportions
• Only the AEO authorisation holder may use it
• Transfer of the logo to third parties is prohibited
• Use must be discontinued immediately if the status is suspended or revoked
• The EU holds copyright in the logo
• Misuse may be subject to penalties

Where logo files in a larger format (e.g. for advertising purposes) are required, this must be indicated in the application.

• Union Customs Code (EU) No 952/2013 (Articles 18, 179, 185) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32013R0952
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2015/2447 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32015R2447