Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme - CBEC Issues Revised Programme
CONSISTENT with the "SAFE Framework" developed by the WCO, 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.
CBEC had announced this programme by Circular No. 37/2011-Cus., dated 23.08.2011. Now, Board has approved the following major changes in the AEO Programme.
(i) Inclusion of stringent requirements in regard to Business partner security, procedural security, etc.
(ii) Inclusion of authorised couriers and custodians in the AEO Programme.
(iii) Automatic disqualification on non-furnishing of the information by the applicant.
(iv) Non-requirement of the compliance records of advocates directly employed by the applicant.
(v) Outreach of AEO Programme by organizing workshops etc.
(vi) The time limit of 90 days should be reckoned from the date of furnishing of complete information.
(vii) In regard to security seals, in case it is not possible to procure and use PAS / ISO 17712 seals for air consignments / courier consignments any international seal compatible with standards of PAS / ISO 17712 may be used. However in case of maritime containerized cargo only PAS / ISO 17712 seals shall be used. The officers carrying out validations under AEO Programme should carefully ascertain this aspect.
Board Circular No 37/2011-Cus., dated 23.08.2011 is superseded. Board wants suitable Public Notice and Standing Orders to be issued. Board also requests DGICCE and Chief Commissioners of Customs to give wide publicity to the Programme.
Please see DDT 1500, 1660 and 1678
CBEC Circular No.28/2012-Customs, Dated: November 16, 2012