TNT said today it is the first express integrator to apply for the Authorised Economic Operator(AEO) status for all its customs-related express services operations in the 27 EU countries.
Working with an AEO, a new standard created by the European Commission, will benefitcustomers in several ways, the Dutch group said. TNT will receive priority treatment at Europeancustoms when agents inspect shipments; faster movement of goods through third country borders wherethe AEO status is recognised; reduced data sets for entry and exit summary declarations. TNT andits clients would thereby benefit from fewer delayed shipments, reduced theft or vandalism, andimproved communication between supply chain partners.
Effective since 1st January 2008, the European Union’s AEO programme is set to increaseborder control with the aim to secure the international supply chain and modernise customsprocedures within the EU. The AEO status will recognise safe, secure and customs compliant businesspartners in international trade. National customs authorities will process applications and carryout the physical evaluation. TNT is the first of the four largest express integrators to apply forthe new standard.
“The AEO standard is to express carriers what the green ‘Nothing to declare’ line is toindividual passengers: a fast-moving and formality-light solution”, said Martin Palmer, DirectorGlobal Customs of TNT’s Express division. “The officials may inspect your luggage, but normallythey won’t. AEO stands for safety and trustworthiness.”
TNT’s flagship air hub in Liege is in the process of submitting an application in a pilotwith the Belgian customs authorities. TNT will soon apply for the AEO status with the Netherlands,Germany, Ireland and the Czech Republic. All other EU countries will follow by mid-2008. TNT’s Maildivision, known as TNT Post, in December 2007 also applied for the AEO status for its import andexport mail activities in the Netherlands, as part of a pilot project with the Dutch customs.
TNT’s formal application shows it satisfies four blocks of criteria: a record of compliancewith customs requirements; a satisfactory system of managing commercial and transport recordsallowing customs controls; proven financial solvency; high security and safety standards. Thoughnot mandatory, TNT will provide the customs authorities with a comprehensive self-assessment on topof the required form, enabling them to process the application within 90 days from the date ofreceipt, instead of 300. Full accreditation is expected by mid-2009.
All TNT’s express operations are already certified to five standards: Investors in People,ISO 9001 (for operational excellence), ISO 14001 (for environmental management), OHSAS 18001 (forwork place safety) and SA 8000 (for social responsibility).
