About AEO                                           

What is an AEO?     

An Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) is a company involved with the international movement of goods and approved by SARS Customs as complying with World Customs Organisation or equivalent compliance and supply chain security standards. AEOs may include manufacturers, importers, exporters, brokers, carriers, consolidators, intermediaries, ports, airports, terminal operators, integrated operators, warehouses, distributors and freight forwarders.

What is an AEO Programme?

An AEO programme is built and based on Customs-Private partnership under the international principle (SAFE Framework of Standards); to secure and facilitate global trade, which was adopted unanimously at the Council Session of the World Customs Organization (WCO) in June 2005.  The programme aims to enhance international supply chain security and facilitate movement of legitimate goods.

SARS AEO Programmes

The South African Revenue Service (SARS), as a government department that controls and administers the international movement of goods, is in a unique position to provide increased security to the global supply chain, and to contribute to socio-economic development through revenue collection and trade facilitation.

SARS introduced different levels of accreditation with benefits assigned to each accreditation level with the aim to provide specific benefits to Accredited clients trading  in the regional market (SACU) as well as the international market. All accreditation levels must comply with SAFE.

1.  Authorized Economic Operator –Compliance

The Authorized Economic Operator compliance programme also known as Level 1 Accreditation is a voluntary programme in which participating entities or traders cooperate with SARS customs in maintaining high quality measures in terms of internal operational processes and computer systems, appropriate records of compliance, sufficient financial resources as well as display sufficient customs knowledge to be held responsible for Customs matters.  For more information on the benefits awarded to certified participants, please click on the link provided.

2. Authorised Economic Operator – Safety & Security

The Authorized Economic Operator safety & security programme also known as Level 2 Accreditation is a voluntary supply chain security programme, focused on improving the security of entities’ or traders’ supply chain through a documented process for determining and alleviating risk throughout their international supply chain.  For more information on the benefits awarded to certified participants, click here.