The AEO Programme is widely acknowledged as a key driver for a solid customs-business partnership, transparent and predictable trading environment. In a wider context it leads to economic prosperity.
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.
Level 1 accreditation ended on 31 July 2011. This programme offered one benefit to traders which allowed importers, exporters, clearing agent, remover of goods in bond and a licensee of a customs and excise warehouse to submit declarations electronically.