Supply chain security and AEO
Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status is an accreditation by
Customs Authorities of a business' management of its supply
chain security obligations. Every supply chain has a multitude of
participants, including manufacturers, assembly plants, and
processors, through to shippers, forwarders, storage providers,
distributors and retailers. All have their own part to play in
ensuring the security of their own element of the supply chain, so
in any supply chain, the greater the take-up of AEO, the more
secure it is perceived, leading to faster clearance times and
enhanced customs facilitation. AEO accreditation shows others in
the supply chain that your activity meets security standards to a
level which is satisfactory to Customs, and thus enjoys the
benefits of 'trusted trader'. In future, AEO traders will
suffer less intrusion from Customs at point of import, and will
benefit from guarantee waivers, in instances where non-AEO
