Customs - CBEC to launch ‘Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Scheme – Invites Suggestions
THE Indian Customs administration has developed an AEO Programme that encompasses various players in the international supply chain such as importers, exporters, warehouse owners, Custom House Agents, cargo forwarders and carriers. The objective of the AEO Programme is to provide businesses with an internationally recognized quality mark which will indicate their secure role in the international supply chain and that their Customs procedures are efficient and compliant. An entity with an AEO status can, therefore, be considered a 'secure' trader and a reliable trading partner.
Possible benefits of the Scheme are:
(a) Importers :
(i) Reduced examination and inspection.
(ii) Acceptance of pre-arrival import declarations.
(iii) Clearance of cargo before duty payment.
(iv) Periodical duty payment.
(b) Exporters:
(i) Reduced examination and inspection.
(ii) Acceptance of export declarations without bringing goods into Customs area.
(c) Warehouse Owners:
(i) Faster approvals for a new warehouse.
(ii) Reduced audit.
(d) Custom House Agents:
(i) Acceptance of pre-arrival import declarations for client importers.
(ii) Clearance of cargo before duty payment by client importers / exporters.
(iii) Periodical duty payment by client importers.
(e) Logistics Providers (Carriers / Forwarders / etc.):
(i) Transit of goods without case by case permissions.
(ii) Transit of goods without Customs escort.
The Draft Scheme is published for eliciting Public Opinion.
CBEC F.No.450/179/2009-Cus. IV Dated: December 1, 2010