Bangkok--30 Apr--Ministry of Finance
Today Mr. Kulit Sombatsiri, Director General of the Customs Department, presided over the 3rd AEO Certification Ceremony to celebrate 112 companies which are officially awarded the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification at Grand Hall of Thai Customs Department, Building 1, Klong Teoi Bangkok.
Mr. Kulit Sombatsiri, Director General of the Customs Department, stated that the World Customs Organization (WCO) as its international organization for customs cooperation in the global community is aware of the security in the international supply chain by attaching importance to the security process from the origin of transport, it has set the standard framework for security and trade facilitation which is called SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE FoS) and AEO criteris is set to be an important tool to create the security in supply chain. Currently there are 74 AEO countries around the world. Thailand as a WCO Member signed the Letter of Intent on May 9, 2006, with the intention of introducing SAFE FoS to encourage customs and the private sector to be aware of the safety of international shipping. It has also increased regional and inter-regional cooperation in order to protect the peace and security of the country. AEO programme in Thailand has been operating since 2013. Currently there are 345 companies of the programme and 244 out of 345 companies have been subject to every-three-year post-authorization audit. Therefore, an importer/exporter who wishes to apply for the AEO status shall meet the following requirements:
a) Being the juristic person registered in Thailand and having the paid-up capital not less than 5 million baht.
b) Having a stable financial status based on the profit shown in the financial statements. With that regard, the applicant's business must gained profit for the last two accounting years retrospectively.
c) Carrying on its business related to import or export not less than three years.
d) Having no customs offence record concerning smuggling according to the Customs Act.
e) Having a control plan, a management and an assessment against the risks in doing safely business.
For customs brokers, there are additional requirements:
f) Being able to undertake the customs procedure by electronic means according to the criteria prescribed by Thai Customs (e-customs).
g) Having, at least, one person of full-time customs expert, certified by Thai Customs.
Besides the benefit for Thai AEO operators is privileges on Customs procedures covering import and export, In case of physical examination needed, the AEO cargo will be prioritized under special track provided. In addition, AEO division stated that in 2017 the value of imports and exports of AEO operators accounted for more than one-quarter of GDP which the import value is 46.1% and 42.9% is export value. The country's gross domestic product (GDP) is considered as an important tool in driving the economy (24.1% of GDP for imports and 23.6% of GDP for exports). Moreover, AEO programme is the cooperation between Customs and the business sectors that related to the delivery, movement and distribution of goods to contribute of the global supply chain security system and international trade by emphasizing on the procedure of the supply chain security. The Customs Department has implemented Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with other countries. Thai Customs has already signed MRA with Hong Kong and Korea and the pilot operation will be fully operated next month.
In addition, Thailand is in process with Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Japan which is expected to be signed soon. It will benefit AEO importers in Thailand by importing goods from various countries that have been made MRA with.
Thai Customs Department commits to continue and develop this programme in order to secure supply chain security. The World Customs Organization (WCO) has pledged to dedicate strengthening of the security in the business environment, with the slogan "A secure business environment for economic development." which is in accordance with the development of the Customs Clearance Program of Thai Customs Department. Last but not least, Thai Customs intends to continuously provide the great services by opening Customs Alliances phrase 2 which the registrations is available from 1 – 18 May 2018. For more information about applying Customs Alliances phrase 2, go to www.customs.go.th