News
As of October 2019, applications for ''Authorized Economic Operator'' status (AEO) will have to be made electronically through the EU trader portal. Until 30 September 2019, AEO applications together with the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) can be submitted to the competent customs authority by using the paper format.
However, from October 1, 2019, the transitional period set out by the EU legislation will end and it will be mandatory to submit the AEO application together with the SAQ electronically by using the EU Trader Portal for eAEO.
This EU harmonized trader interface designed by the EU Commission and the Member States shall be used for the exchange of information pertaining to applications and decisions related to AEO authorizations.
The purpose of the EU Trader Portal for eAEO is to facilitate and speed up the exchange of information related to AEO applications, decisions, authorizations and their management processes.
The EU Trader Portal for e-AEO will be deployed in two phases:
- Phase 1 for the submission of the AEO application and the decision-taking process, from October 1, 2019.
- Phase 2 for the other subsequent processes, from December 15, 2019.
The rule applicable to the transition (and to the exceptional paper procedure) is that:
- If a procedure is initiated on paper before October 1, 2019, it continues on paper;
- If it is initiated electronically from October 1, 2019 onwards, it continues electronically.
There will be a transition period after October 1, 2019 to allow the processing of existing paper applications not accepted yet. The transition period will be 60 days maximum (November 19 included).
