Customs has its own “White Business Club” and only 80 companies are members
13 February 17:07
In Ukraine, 80 companies have the status of an authorized economic operator and are reliable partners of the customs. This was reported by the State Customs Service, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.
The customs called it “an important step towards building trust between business and the customs service,” and reminded that the status of an authorized economic operator (AEO) is not only a recognition of the company’s reliability, but also significant simplifications in customs procedures.
80 companies – a lot or a little
The State Customs Service reported that last year 56 companies received the AEO status, and also noted that as of the end of 2023, there were only 21 such companies. In 2025, 3 companies have already received authorization. That is, the dynamics are encouraging.
According to customs officials, in 2024, the share of imports and exports of goods by enterprises that were authorized by the AEO amounted to more than 5% of the total turnover in value, while in 2023 this share was 1%.
Two more figures to show that it is not easy to get a “certificate of trust” from customs: in 2024, the State Customs Service received 80 applications for AEO authorization and in 23 cases, companies were denied authorization.
Customs wants more reliable partners
The State Customs Service explained the reasons for refusals to grant the status of authorized economic operator:
– the company did not submit a self-assessment questionnaire with its application;
– the self-assessment questionnaire was not filled out in full, taking into account the type of AEO authorization for which the application is submitted or the role of the company in the international supply chain;
– during the assessment, the information provided in the self-assessment questionnaire and compliance with the conditions set out in the criteria were not confirmed;
– the application is not signed by the manager or his/her authorized representative.
It is in order to minimize negative decisions and increase the number of reliable partners that the State Customs Service of Ukraine publishes on its website in the section “Authorized Economic Operator” information and methodological materials that may be useful in preparing a company to fill out a self-assessment questionnaire and conduct a conformity assessment. And, accordingly, to increase the chances of companies seeking to join the AEO program.
What are the benefits of “certificates of trust” from customs?
The Institute of Authorized Economic Operator has existed in Ukraine since 2019. The first company to receive AEO authorization was JT International Ukraine, a public joint-stock company based in Kremenchuk. The relevant decision was made by the State Customs Service on March 18, 2021, based on the results of the conformity assessment.
As explained by the experts of the ligaZakon portal, the legislation provides for two types of authorization, which can be applied both together and separately:
– on granting the right to apply special simplifications (AEO-S)
– confirmation of safety and reliability (AEO-B).
In addition to the criteria that a company must meet to obtain accreditation, the difference between AEO-C and AEO-B is the list of available benefits and simplifications.
The following benefits are available for AEO-B
– execution of customs formalities on a priority basis (e.g., out-of-turn processing of customs declarations);
– reducing the degree of risk for determining the list of customs formalities (e.g., fewer inspections of goods by the customs authority);
– use of a specially designated (if any) lane at the checkpoint;
– use of the AEO national logo;
– receiving a notification that the relevant goods and vehicles have been selected for customs inspection (of great importance, in particular, for time planning);
An enterprise with AEO-C accreditation receives a similar set of benefits, except for the last point.
It is emphasized that the company has the right to use the above benefits from the moment it receives the AEO status. However, to use the so-called “special simplifications”, it is necessary to obtain an appropriate permit. Moreover, certain permits cannot be obtained without first obtaining others.
The AEO-B authorization grants the right to use only one special simplification – the independent application of special type seals. Under such conditions, the company enters information about the seals in the customs declaration and is relieved of the obligation to come to the customs post to impose customs security. This results in significant time savings.
The list of special simplifications available to AEO-C is much wider. In particular, in addition to the aforementioned independent application of special type seals, a number of additional simplifications are available.
1. General financial guarantee. Its main advantage, compared to a multiple financial guarantee, is the possibility of receiving “bonuses” for the long-term use of a general financial guarantee.
A general financial guarantee is a prerequisite for obtaining the following two simplifications.
2. Simplified declaration procedure. This procedure provides for a reduced amount of information to be entered by the declarant and the submission of only an invoice or other document that determines the value of the goods.
3. Procedure of release at the location.
Thus, if the main purpose of the company is to apply special simplifications, experts recommend choosing the AEO-C type of authorization.
Other advantages of AEO accreditation are mutual recognition by foreign fiscal authorities, as well as significant time and cost savings, reputational benefits, transparency and improved quality of service.
