CUSTOMS MODERNIZATION – CONCEPT OF AUTHORIZED ECONOMIC OPERATOR

The intensive growth and development of world trade stimulates the need to accelerate international flow of goods and to reduce costs and related to trade. Customs administrations are most important institutions that are directly involved and affect international trade flows. These institutions are under constant pressure for reorganization and modernization arising from the security challenges on one, and from the requirements for trade facilitation set out in international conventions adopted by relevant international institutions, on the other side.
Special benefits from the process of customs modernization refer to the introduction of simplified customs procedures and greater involvement of trade operators in the customs operations, through the concept of Authorized economic operator (AEO). Simplified customs procedures are considered as one of the most important trade facilitation measures in the customs modernization process as implemented by the revised Kyoto Convention. In general, there are simplified customs procedures related to the customs declaration and simplified transit procedures. The highest level of simplification of customs procedures is the concept of AEO.
The main purpose of the paper is to highlight the importance of the customs modernization process as part of international trade facilitation agenda, with a focus on the concept of the AEO as a tool for expediting the operations in international supply chain. Types of AEO will be recognized in the paper, as well as conditions, criteria and benefits of the status of AEO