AEO: authorized economic operators

On July 29 the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted the Resolution “On some issues of operation of authorized economic operators”, which settled all the formalities for launching the AEO program in Ukraine.

In particular, the Resolution approved the procedure and algorithm for assessment of compliance with the criteria of the authorized economic operator (hereinafter – AEO), forms of documents to be submitted by enterprises and issued by the customs authorities to obtain the status of AEO.

Please be reminded that on October 2, 2019, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law No. 1048 “On Amendments to the Customs Code of Ukraine regarding certain issues of operation of authorized economic operators”.

An Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) is an enterprise that uses special simplifications and advantages in its relations with customs authorities (simplified declaration, performance of customs formalities as a priority, reduction of risk during customs clearance, etc.).

The status of an authorized economic operator can be obtained by a resident enterprise that performs any role in the international supply chain of goods and which meets a number of legally established criteria.

After obtaining this status, an enterprise is entitled to apply a number of special simplifications in the customs clearance of goods, in particular, to independently ensure the imposition of seals of a special type, to use the procedure of simplified declaration and customs clearance of goods at their location.

Authorization is free of charge and is valid indefinitely. For this purpose, the company submits an application to the State Customs Service for authorization of the AEO and a self-assessment questionnaire. Within 30 days from the date of registration of these documents, the State Customs Service conducts a preliminary review, the results of which makes a decision on the assessment of compliance with the above criteria for obtaining the status of AEO or refusal to conduct an assessment.

After analysis of the reports on the assessment results, which are provided by the customs officials, the State Customs Service official shall prepare a conclusion on the compliance (non-compliance) of the enterprise with AEO criteria. If an enterprise meets the criteria of AEO, the State Customs Service within 7 working days from the date of signing the conclusion shall make a decision on granting authorization, which shall be issued in the form of an order.

The State Customs Service will keep the Unified State Register of AEOs with open access.