Authorized Economic Operators
In the Islamic Countries:
Enhancing Customs-Traders Partnership
178
Security and Compliance Requirements
1. What compliance requirements did your company have to satisfy for the AEO program?
This can include requirements such as the compliance record of the applicant, financial
solvency/integrity, maintenance of commercial records, and compliance programs.
2. What was the cost of these compliance requirements to your company?
3. How long did it take to achieve the compliance requirements?
4. What physical security requirements did your company have to satisfy for the AEO
program? This can include requirements related to cargo, conveyance and/or premises
security, IT security and trade partner security, including but not limited to the use of
seals, restricted areas, identification of employees and visitors, gate, gateman, keys, fence,
surveillance camera, etc.
5. What was the cost of these physical security requirements to your company?
6. How long did it take to achieve the physical security requirements?
7. In general, what is the estimated yearly cost of sustaining the AEO status?
Organizational Structure
1. Did your company make any changes in the organizational structure to obtain and sustain
the AEO status?
2. Does your company have any internal checks and controls in place related to the AEO
status?
3. Does your company have any formal reporting systems in place related to the AEO status?
4. Which department is responsible for tracking and coordinating communications with the
government?
Government Partnership
1. Please describe the current state of regular Customs-Business consultation, engagement,
and partnership mechanisms, if any.
2. Please describe what steps your company has taken to promote adoption of the AEO
program by your suppliers. What is the role of Customs in this endeavor?
3. Please describe the extent to which national and local Customs have regular consultations
with traders to talk about the AEO program, and to talk about areas of mutual benefit and
common concern.
4. Please describe any mechanisms to allow business partners to bring questions, concerns
and suggestions to Customs attention and receive prompt consideration and response.
Benefits of AEO Status
1. Please list and describe the benefits the AEO program provides to your company.
2. In general, what is the estimated yearly benefit of sustaining the AEO status?
3. How many of your suppliers have the AEO status? Were you involved in their AEO
application process? If yes, how so?
4. Why do you think some of your suppliers did not prefer to/could not get this status?