Under the AEO programme, an entity that is engaged in international trade is approved by Customs as being compliant with supply chain security standards. It is a compliance programme by way of which cargo security during movement is streamlined through close cooperation amongst members of the supply chain.
Previously, AEO certification (AEO-T1) used to be valid for a period of three years. Thereafter, it had to be renewed. Application for renewal was supposed to be submitted 30 days in advance before the expiry of the validity period. Hence, the status of AEO was reviewed every time the application was made.
Now, the requirement of making an application for renewal has been done away with and substituted by auto-renewal by means of submission of annual self-declaration and review thereof, between 1Oct to 31Dec each year. Where an entity is certified between 1st Jan and 31st Dec, no declaration is required for that year. Further, the entities certified on or after 1.04.2019 should stand migrated to this new system as on 1.08.2021.
The aforementioned declaration is to be submitted by the applicant using the AEO Online Web Portal.
The review for the purpose of auto-renewal will be based on last two annual self-declarations from the date of issue of AEO-T1 certificate or auto renewal thereof, whichever is later. The process of review will be completed before the due date of third annual self certification i.e.1st Octobe. Using two annual self certification for review purpose implies reference to the details of two financial years. In the light thereof the decision to accept/ revoke the certification will be taken.
For the purpose of Enties certified between 1.04.2019 and 31.12.2020 the procedure will be slightly different. For the ones certified between 1.04.19 to 31.12.19, the details of two financial years will be furnished before 1st Oct, 2021. The same will be referred to for taking the decision of accepting the auto renewal. Further, for those certified between 1.1.2020 and 31.12.2020,
