Hauliers delivering to customers outside the European Union will be able to apply to become Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) from Sunday (1 July). The AEO system has been put in place by the EU to add security to supply chains, and mirrors the system in place in the US. Applications can be made from 1 July and the system becomes operational on 1 January.
Chris Starns, trade manager at the British International Freight Association, says that an operator that makes deliveries into Russia, for example, could become an AEO. "They will have to meet certain safety and security standards that have been set by the EU, and if they do that then Customs should make things simpler for them."
There are three levels of AEO - Customs security and safety and full, which covers both. Starns adds the authorities want to create a more secure international supply chain the best situation would be to have everyone within a supply chain AEO-accredited.