8
Less costly exports due to safer and faster trade
Increase in the number of firms operating at efficient international standards, with
higher competitive power and better internal control processes
Customs Level
The main role of Customs Authorities was to inspect all the goods flows in the second part of
the 20
th
century (Erceg, 2014). However, the increase in goods flow made this impossible. The
new role of Customs became analyzing the risks and diverting the controls to risky
transactions. In order to execute their new role efficiently; company’s processes, procedures,
administration, and internal control should be assessed for checking the management of
supply chain and potential risks. For this purpose, many Customs Authorities established risk
management units. Moreover, AEO program has been increasingly adopted as a pioneering
tool for the Customs to fulfill their new role efficiently. The following are some of the benefits
the AEO programs provide to Customs Authorities:
Easing the workload of the Customs administration
Enabling Customs to focus more on risky shipments and smuggling activities
Prevention of congestion at Customs
Accelerating goods movements and vehicle shipments at Customs
Business Level
Benefits to AEO holders are as follows:
Faster clearance of goods and fewer physical inspections such as use of green lane
Prior notification if selected for control
Incomplete declarations
Simplified declarations
Off-working hours transactions
Reduced guarantees
Local clearance
Preferential treatment in customs related transactions
Withholding tax exemption
Pre-clearance of cargo
Deferred payment of customs duties
Better relations and increased cooperation with the Customs administration (Client
relations management)
Decrease in safety and security vulnerabilities, theft cases and losses
Decrease in property damage
Increased reputation and more preference as trusted companies in the domestic and
foreign markets
Increased reliability and communication among supply chain partners
Reduced procurement costs and increased cooperation with suppliers along with
reduced insurance costs
Increases in domestic and international competitiveness due to cost reduction and
time saving
Preference by foreign investors in business partnerships
Recognition by international Customs administrations and inclusion into MRAs with
third countries.