Authorized Economic Operators
In the Islamic Countries:
Enhancing Customs-Traders Partnership
36
Box 2.2. Mexico’s AEO Program
History:
2002: Certified Company Program (Compañía Certificada - CC). Limited trade facilitation
and no security requirements .
2009: Design of the NEEC (AEO of Mexico)
2011: Announcing the general rules for the NEEC
2012: Formal launch of the NEEC
Usually firms under CC Program became NEEC certified
Criteria:
Tax and Customs requirements: Proof of a record of trade activities for the past three
years and a good tax compliance track record. Usage of a digital invoicing system.
Security requirements: Safety of trucks and containers, personnel and process. Physical,
commercial partners, information and document security. Training and awareness on
safety and security, and incident management and investigation.
Certification:
Application: Complete application form and pay US$1,650 fee.
Verification: Desk review followed by on-site visit.
Authorization: Decision on the NEEC certification.
The certification process takes between six months to one year and valid for one year.
Benefits:
 reduced physical inspections
 expedited Customs clearance
 green lane
 administrative simplifications
 customer relations management
Current situation:
# NEEC firms in 2014:
 400 firms
 1.4 percent of the total number of exporters,
 40 percent of total exports,
 43 percent of the total number of products,
 81 percent of the total number of destinations
Impact on Trade:
Martincus (2016) suggests the following benefits of NEEC certification based on empirical
study for Mexico based on firm level data covering the period 2009-2014.
 73.1 percent higher export growth implying that exports NEEC firms would have a
growth rate 2.8 percentage points higher than others.
 NEEC firms reach new export markets.
 If NEEC firms are also under IMMEX and C-TPAT, the trade impact is higher.
 NEEC certification brings additional increase in exports.
Source: Volpe Martincus (2016)