How to apply
Customs will consider your internal controls and measures to secure the safety of your business and your supply chain. You will need to comply with legal Health and safety requirements. In particular Customs will require that:
• You or a qualified third party have carried out a safety and
security assessment of your business.
• The external boundaries of your business to be appropriately
secured and you have documented procedures to control access
to your premises for authorised persons and procedures for
dealing with unauthorised access.
• Measures to protect your cargo units and to prevent the
introduction, exchange or loss of any material or tampering with
those units.
• Appropriate access control measures to prevent unauthorised
access to shipping areas, loading docks and cargo areas both on
arrival and despatch.
• Appropriate procedures to secure the safety of your goods during
storage or manufacture.
• Appropriate procedures to ensure the safety and security of your
goods during transport, including where transport is subcontracted
to a third party.
• You agree any appropriate safety and security measures with
your suppliers.
• Procedures in place to carry out security screening on
prospective employees working in security sensitive positions
and appropriate security procedures are in place for any
contracted parties that have access to your premises.
• You provide training to your staff on security and safety
requirements.
Appropriate procedures and safety and security standards need to be well
documented and evidenced so they can be verified in the course of our AEO audit.
Import Information
What happens if I decide not
to apply?
There will be no loss of existing authorisations or simplifications for traders who do not apply. Cusrrent clearance times in the UK for businesses that do not have AEO status will not be affected.