68 Authorized Economic Operators in import – export activities

A workshop on AEO programs was organized by the General Department of Vietnam Customs in February 2019. Photo: Q.H

AEOs are divided into 5 groups: Import-export enterprises, agricultural product export enterprises, seafood export enterprises and high-tech enterprises and customs brokers.

Each enterprise group must meet the conditions for being recognized as a AEOs.

For example, for a high-tech enterprise to be recognized as an AEO, they must have a certificate from the Ministry of Science and Technology as a high-tech enterprise.

For import-export enterprises to be recognized, the enterprise must achieve a turnover of $US 100 million per year or more.

According to statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, in 2018, AEOs accounted for 34.4% of the total import-export turnover nationwide ($US 165 billion).

Deputy Director of the of Post-clearance Audit Department, Pham Chi Thanh said that AEOs program with Vietnam Customs has attracted the attention of the business community.

Besides the facilitation of cargo clearance procedures, helping to reduce time and cost, enterprises recognized as AEOs would affirm their prestige and enhance their position in the market. AEOs can help to create a strong shift from strict control mode to trust mode, to enable the right to self-declare and take responsibility before law in order to change the Customs inspection method from pre-audit to post-audit.

On 20^th March, Director General of Vietnam Customs Nguyen Van Can signed the decisions to recognize AEOs for San Fang Vietnam Co., Ltd. and Doosan Vietnam Industry Limited Company.