CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION GRANTS AGENT PLUS AUTHORISED ECONOMIC OPERATOR (AEO) STATUS
After a lengthy and detailed process of business verification, the Customs Administration of the Republic of Serbia has granted Agent Plus Authorised Economic Operator status, placing our agency among just 25 companies in Serbia holding this certificate.
WHAT IS AEO AND WHY IT WAS INTRODUCED
Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status, which is also issued in the EU, represents a confirmation by the World Customs Organization, introduced with the intention of establishing a “secure supply chain” of goods at all stages of distribution. A company granted this status meets the highest standards in the field of business security, financial excellence and organisational efficiency, has passed rigorous scrutiny of all segments of its operations and adopted strict European standards.
How difficult it is to obtain this status is illustrated by the fact that, on an annual basis, at most five business entities in Serbia can join this select group – provided, of course, that they first meet the set criteria.
THREE TYPES OF CERTIFICATE
There are three types of certificate, which differ according to the benefits arising from a particular status.
- AEO for customs simplifications (“AEO C”)
- AEO for safety and security (“AEO S”)
- If the applicant meets the conditions for the issuance of both of the certificates listed above, the customs authority competent for making the decision issues a combined authorisation (“AEO S”)
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF AEO
Authorised Economic Operators enjoy numerous benefits in relation to customs procedures and customs control throughout the entire territory of the European Union, achieving significant savings in resources and in the time it takes to do business. At the same time, they increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations, as well as their competitiveness on the market, which ultimately contributes to greater client satisfaction.
The basic advantages that Authorised Economic Operator status brings are reflected primarily in the following:
- Easier approval of simplified customs procedures
- Fewer physical and documentary controls
- Priority for consignments if they are selected for control
- Choice of the place of control
- Indirect benefits in terms of greater business security, better cooperation and coordination among all parties in the supply chain
- Better relations with customs and other state administration bodies
“Companies with Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status are recognised in the international supply chain as reliable partners whose internal management system guarantees clients safety and security, as well as a reduction in administration and business costs. Bearing in mind that the Agent Plus Group operates in an international environment on the global market, we can attest that AEO is a globally recognised status of business quality that clients around the world are increasingly demanding from logistics companies.
The AEO certificate awarded to us by the Customs Administration confirms in the best possible way our company’s motto, “quality without compromise”, by which we are guided in handling our clients’ goods, regardless of whether they come from Serbia, the region or around the world. Here at the Agent Plus Group, we are especially encouraged by the fact that we have continued to improve our operations and competitiveness on the domestic and global market, despite the negative circumstances that the COVID-19 virus pandemic has caused in the world economy,” said the General Director of the Agent Plus agency, Mr Zoran Netković, on the occasion of the presentation of the prestigious AEO award.