AEO certification Customs

AEO customs certification is essential for companies active in international trade. With the increase in global trade flows, it is more important than ever to organize customs procedures efficiently and safely. On this site we explain what AEO certification means, why it is crucial and how it can improve your business operations.

What is an AEO certification?

AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) is an internationaal erkend certificaat showing that TOP meets certain safety and customs standards. This certification, issued by the customs authorities, confirms that we are reliable and properly manage the international trade chain.

Why is it important?

This certification offers significant benefits for companies involved in import and export. Think of faster customs clearance, fewer physical checks and better cooperation with customs authorities. Here are the five biggest benefits:

1. Faster customs procedures

TOP benefits from priority for customs controls. This means fewer waiting times and a smoother flow of goods, leading to faster deliveries and lower costs.

2. Fewer physical and document checks

Customs conducts fewer physical inspections and document checks at companies. This ensures fewer disruptions in your logistics processes and increases the efficiency of your supply chain.

3. Improved cooperation with customs

TOP enjoys a better relationship with customs. This can be useful in case of unexpected customs problems or questions, because customs considers you as a reliable partner.

4. Fewer risks in the supply chain

It means that TOP meets strict safety standards. This reduces the risk of fraud, theft or other criminal activities within your supply chain.

5. Access to international trading partners

More and more international companies only work with AEO-certified partners to minimize risks. With a certification you increase your chances of collaboration and strengthen your position in the market.

How Customs Checks Companies for Compliance with the Requirements

When a company has received certification, it involves more than simply obtaining the certificate and then sitting back. Certified companies must constantly comply with strict requirements, and Customs carries out various checks to verify compliance with these criteria. But how exactly does Customs do this and what methods are used? Here we explain how Customs checks.

Monitoring by Customs: always pay attention

Customs keeps a close eye on certified companies. This process is known as monitoring. Customs carries out periodic evaluations to ensure that companies still meet the criteria. These criteria relate to, for example, customs processes, internal security, financial solvency and compliance with legislation and regulations. Monitoring is an ongoing process and can take various forms, including physical checks, administrative audits and sampling.

How do customs carry out inspections?

Customs uses several methods to check whether a company remains worthy of its status. Let's discuss some of the most important control mechanisms:

1. Periodic audits

Customs periodically carries out audits at certified companies. During an audit, customs officials check whether the company still meets all the criteria. These audits can take place announced or unannounced, depending on the risk assessment used by Customs. During such an audit, internal processes, security measures and the administrative organization of the company are carefully examined.

2. Samples with files

A frequently used method by Customs is to carry out random checks. Specific files or transactions are selected for audit. These random checks can focus on specific import or export documents, security protocols or other crucial parts of the customs processes. These random checks give Customs a good idea of ​​how consistently a company meets its obligations.

3. Risk analysis and selection

Customs uses a risk-based approach to determine which companies or processes require further inspection. This means that companies with a higher risk profile are inspected more often and more intensively than companies that are considered less risky. Factors that may influence the risk assessment include the nature of the goods, trade routes and previous violations or irregularities.

What exactly does Customs check?

Customs checks various aspects of a business to ensure that all criteria are met. This includes:

• Customs processes: Customs checks whether the company complies with customs legislation correctly and whether the procedures are clear and well documented. This is of great importance for the company's reliability in the international trade chain.

• Supply chain security: companies must have a comprehensive security policy to ensure the safety of the supply chain. This includes physical security of warehouses, screening of personnel and monitoring of transports. Customs can check whether these measures are actually being complied with.

• Financial solvency: The company must demonstrate that it is financially sound and are able to pay any customs debts. Customs can request and check financial documents to verify this.

• Changes to corporate structure: Companies are required to make changes that may affect the status to be reported immediately. Consider mergers, changes in business activities or new locations. Customs can check whether these notifications have been made timely and correctly.

Responsibilities of the company

In addition to the inspections carried out by Customs, certified companies also have their own responsibilities. A status means that the company must continuously ensure compliance with the AEO criteria. This requires internal monitoring and regular evaluation of your own processes. For example, companies must periodically check whether their security measures are still effective and whether customs legislation is being applied correctly.

An important part of self-monitoring is setting up an internal monitoring system. This system helps companies to check whether the requirements are met and to identify possible risks or shortcomings at an early stage. By acting proactively, companies can avoid problems and maintain their status.

The importance of timely reporting

A crucial obligation for certified companies is to report changes in a timely manner. For example, if a company hires a new logistics partner or uses a different storage location, this must be reported to Customs. Customs then carries out an assessment to determine whether the change has consequences for the status. Failure to comply with this obligation may lead to sanctions or even withdrawal of certification.

Conclusion

Customs checks companies carefully and in various ways. This is done through audits, random samples and risk analyses. Companies must continue to actively monitor whether they meet the requirements and must immediately report any changes. Maintaining it requires constant effort, but the benefits, such as faster customs clearance and fewer physical checks, make it worth it. By working with Customs and remaining proactive, companies can benefit from an efficient and secure supply chain.

Would you like more information or would you like to speak to our customs department? That's possible! Click here to make an appointment and click here for telephone consultation.