Authorized Economic Operator Programs
In the Islamic Countries:
Enhancing Customs-Traders Partnership
93
Local Clearance for Imports
Starting from 2015, a company may hold local clearance for imports status that enables the
company to complete its import transaction in its own facilities without visiting the Customs
office (Figure 4.7). In order to apply for this status, the company should be a producer holding
the AEO status; have a minimum amount of 20 million US Dollars of annual trade and has
provided a guarantee of half million Euros to the Ministry.
4.2.3.5. Customs - Trade Partnership Initiatives
The Ministry, particularly the Directorate of Risk Analysis and Control, follows a transparent
policy and they are open to communication such as by email, phone or face-to-face meetings
with the companies to help on the AEO program.
The Ministry of Trade holds meetings with private sector representatives irregularly to
improve the implementation of the AEO program. It appears that the suggestions of the
operators were taken seriously as can be observed from the 2017 amendment to the AEO
regulation to simplify the application procedures and establish the necessary infrastructure to
facilitate the online application procedures.
Currently, there is also a project on extending the AEO status to the small and medium size
enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey. The main objective of this endeavor is to improve the
institutional structure of SMEs as well as to ensure the security and safety of the supply chain
which involves many SMEs in Turkish economy.