About Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme:
- It is a programme under the aegis of the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards to secure and facilitate Global Trade.
- The programme aims to enhance international supply chain security and facilitate movement of legitimate goods.
- Under this programme, an entity engaged in international trade is approved by Customs as compliant with supply chain security standards and granted AEO status & certain benefits.
- An AEO is a business entity involved in the international movement of goods requiring compliance with provisions of the national customs law.
- It is approved by or on behalf of the national administration in compliance with the World Customs Organization (WCO).
- The WCO in June, 2005, with a view to secure the international supply chain, adopted the SAFE Framework of Standards (WCO SAFE FoS).
- AEO is one of the three pillars on which the SAFE FoS is formed.
- AEO helps to build a closer partnership between the customs department and the trade industry.
- WCO SAFE FoS is the basis of the Indian AEO programme.
What is the India AEO programme?
- It was introduced in India by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in 2011.
- It is a voluntary programme administered by the CBIC.
- It seeks to provide benefits in the form of simplified customs procedures and faster customs clearances to those business entities that offer a high degree of security guarantees regarding their role in the supply chain.
- Thus, an entity with an AEO status can be considered a reliable trading partner and a secure trader.
- This segmentation approach enables customs resources to focus on less-non-compliant or risky businesses for control.
Q1: What is the World Customs Organization (WCO)?
WCO, established in 1952, is an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of customs administrations. It is the only intergovernmental organization exclusively focused on customs matters.
Last updated on June, 2025
→ UPSC Notification 2025 was released on 22nd January 2025.
→ UPSC Prelims Result 2025 is out now for the CSE held on 25 May 2025.
→ UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 and Unofficial Prelims Answer Key 2025 are available now.
→ UPSC Calendar 2026 is released on 15th May, 2025.
→ The UPSC Vacancy 2025 were released 1129, out of which 979 were for UPSC CSE and remaining 150 are for UPSC IFoS.
→ UPSC Mains 2025 will be conducted on 22nd August 2025.
→ UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.
→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.
→ UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!
→ UPSC Toppers List 2024 is released now. Shakti Dubey is UPSC AIR 1 2024 Topper.
→ Also check Best IAS Coaching in Delhi
