China And Africa Sign The First Customs AEO Mutual Recognition Arrangement

A few days ago, it was learned from the General Administration of customs that during the fifth global AEO conference of the world customs organization, the Chinese customs and Ugandan customs signed the arrangement on mutual recognition of "certified operators" (AEO), which is the first AEO mutual recognition arrangement signed by Chinese customs in Africa.

"Certified operator" is the authorized economic operator, referred to as AEO. AEO system is advocated by the world customs organization. It aims to provide customs clearance convenience to enterprises with high degree of compliance, credit status and safety. The customs of different countries can recognize each other through AEO, and give the other qualified enterprises relevant convenience.

After China and Uzbekistan signed the customs AEO mutual recognition, the two countries provided the other AEO enterprises with convenient measures, including: applying a lower inspection rate, giving priority to the inspection of goods requiring physical inspection, appointing customs liaison officers to communicate and solve the customs clearance problems, giving priority to customs clearance after the interruption and resumption of international trade, etc. The above-mentioned advantages will help AEO enterprises of the two countries greatly reduce the customs clearance time of goods, minimize the trade costs of ports, insurance and logistics, and effectively enhance the international competitiveness.

According to the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), the AEO system has been implemented in 97 countries (regions) and 91 mutual recognition agreements have been signed.

It is understood that China Customs is actively promoting AEO mutual recognition consultation with Russia and other important node countries of the belt and road initiative and important trading countries, constantly expanding the scope of AEO mutual recognition countries, and helping AEO enterprises enjoy customs clearance convenience in more countries and regions.

Customs statistics show that up to now, China's customs has achieved AEO mutual recognition with 46 countries (regions) from 20 economies, and the number of countries (regions) with mutual recognition ranks first in the world.