Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Excise & Customs
Circular No.37/2011-Customs
227-B, North Block,
New Delhi-110001.
23rd August, 2011.
To
All Chief Commissioners of Customs / Customs (Prev.).
All Chief Commissioners of Customs & Central Excise.
All Commissioners of Customs / Customs (Prev.).
All Commissioners of Customs & Central Excise.
All Director Generals under CBEC.
Subject: Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme for implementation.
Sir / Madam,
In view of growing concern amongst Customs administrations about the threat
posed through misuse of channels of import and export, there is a need to ensure
security in global supply chain in international movement of goods. Keeping this
in view, CBEC has finalized the ‘Authorized Economic Operators’ (AEO) programme
for implementation to secure supply chain of imported and export goods. This
programme has been developed pursuant to guidelines of WCO adopted in SAFE FoS
(Framework of Standard) in 2005. Many Customs administrations have already
instituted AEO programmes or similar programmes which share a common objective
of ensuring security in global supply chain from the point of origin i.e. the
point of export to import in the receiving country, keeping in view national
requirements of respective administrations. The detailed guidelines on
implementation of the AEO programme are appended as ‘Annexure’ to this Circular.
- One of the salient features of the AEO programme is that any economic
operator such as importer, exporter, logistics provider, Customs House Agent can
apply for authorization subject to the criteria that the applicant is:
- able to establish a record of compliance in respect of Customs and other
legal provisions.
- able to demonstrate satisfactory systems of managing commercial and, where
appropriate, transport records.
- financially solvent.
- able to demonstrate satisfactory systems in respect of security and safety
standards.
- The AEO programme shall be implemented by the Directorate General of
Inspection (DGICCE) and Additional Director General, DGICCE (HQ), New Delhi will
be the AEO Programme Manager. The AEO Programme Manager shall be assisted by a
team of officers viz. the AEO Programme Team.
- The authorization shall normally be granted within 90 days of receipt of
application if the same is found to be acceptable and not deficient in any
material particulars. The programme also provides for circumstances under which
the authorization may be considered for revocation or suspension.
- The AEO Programme envisages various benefits to different categories of
economic operators such as importers, exporters, Customs House Agents, etc. The
intention is to give AEO certified operators preferential treatment in terms of
less Customs examination, relaxed procedural requirements etc. This is subject
to the authorized operators maintaining security standards and compliance
requirements as detailed in Annexure and informing the AEO Programme Manager
within 30 days in case of any significant change in business or business
processes.
- The AEO programme would be implemented on voluntary basis i.e. those who are
interested in getting benefits of the programme may apply for authorization as
per the procedure outlined in the Annexure. The authorization shall be granted
after detailed pre-certification verification and validation done by AEO
Programme Team.
- As DGICCE is assigned the work of implementation of the AEO programme, Board
desires that process of inviting application, processing of the same, validation
and certification shall be done as envisaged in the programme, as per the
following time lines:
Action |
Timeline |
Announcement of AEO programme |
23.8.2011 |
Receipt of applications for pilots |
By 15.9.2011 |
Scrutiny of applications for pilots |
By 30.9.2011 |
Selection of 3 pilots and intimation thereof
|
By 15.10.2011 |
Validation process including field visits for pilots
|
15.10.2011 - 15.1.2012 |
Decision on grant of AEO status |
15.2.2012 |
- All Commissioners are requested to issue a suitable Public Notice and a
standing order for guidance of trade and staff.
Yours faithfully,
( R. P. Singh )
Director (Customs)
F.No.450/179/2009-Cus.IV(Pt)
Click here for
Annexure