Authorized Economic Operator Programs
In the Islamic Countries:
Enhancing Customs-Traders Partnership
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information needs in a systematic way rather than gathering all available information
about the firm.
3. An extensive guideline regarding the questionnaire should be posted on the web site of
Customs.
4. A dedicated phone-line to answer the questionnaire related questions should be
established.
MONITORING and IMPROVEMENT of AEO BENEFITS
Challenge 3- Communication of Customs Authority with private sector
AEO programs are voluntary-based and heavily depend on open communication channels
between the Customs Authority and the stakeholders. Insufficient consultation with the
private sector can be challenging as it is possible to cause potential misconceptions about the
anticipated benefits, thereby reducing the incentives for companies from becoming an AEO.
Even though almost all Customs Authorities in OIC member countries welcome open
communication channels with the private sector, it is hard to gauge the degree, quality and
impact of these through survey or case study results only.
In Canada, CBSA developed the Border Commercial Consultative Committee to communicate
with companies through a formal mechanism. Several sub-committees are dedicated to specific
topics as well. Among OIC members visited for this study, URA in Uganda holds regular
meetings under two groups: The AEO National Group and the Regional Consultative Group.
Recommendations:
1. The Customs Authorities should formalize the communication methods such as regular
and inclusive meetings, regular email correspondence or designated phone-lines.
2. A survey of AEO company satisfaction should be incorporated to the post-
authorization procedures. It is important to have regular surveys to collect data on
success and challenge factors of the particular AEO program so that improvements can
be devised and applied. Furthermore, anonymity of the survey respondents would be
guaranteed if the surveys are contracted to independent third-party service providers.
This way, survey respondents would answer questions without thinking about being
politically correct.
Challenge 4- Communication of Customs Authority with other government agencies
Communication with other government agencies about AEO program is rather low in the OIC
member countries. Note that the WCO revised the SAFE Framework in June 2015 and has
recently added Pillar 3, which identifies specific technical standards to ensure that the AEO
program has the support of other government stakeholders.
One of the exceptions to this challenge in the OIC region is Jordan, where there are ongoing
efforts to establish a National Golden List where several government agencies cooperate in
terms of compliance and security requirements that fall in to the areas of their respective fields
of duty. Food and Drug Administration, Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Communications,
Energy, Standards and Metrology are among the stakeholders in the National Golden List
program.