AEO
We are one of the very few freight forwarders in Greece that has been accredited with AEO status. Certification took place on September 19th, 2013 and the certificate number is GR AEOC 0040190 331 3. The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certificate is an internationally recognized quality mark indicating that our role in international supply chains is secure, and that our customs controls and procedures are efficient and compliant.
The AEO concept is one of the main building blocks within the WCO (World Customs Organization) and SAFE (Safe Framework of Standards). SAFE sets out a range of standards to guide international Customs Administrations towards a harmonized approach based on Customs to Customs cooperation and Customs to Business partnership.
It was created by the European Union through the security amendment of the EU Customs Code (Regulation (EC) 648/2005). On the basis of Article 5a of the security amendments, Member States can grant the AEO status to any economic operator meeting the following common criteria: customs compliance, appropriate record-keeping, financial solvency and, where relevant, appropriate security and safety standards.
The status of authorized economic operator granted by one Member State is recognized by the other Member States. This does not automatically allow AEO to benefit from simplifications provided for in the customs rules in the other Member States. However, other Member States should grant the use of simplifications to authorized economic operators if they meet specific requirements and without re-examining criteria that have been already checked.
AEO status is not mandatory as yet. It is a commercial decision as it gives quicker access to certain simplified customs procedures and in some cases the right to ‘fast-track’ your shipments through certain safety and security procedures.
