Section 1

General Provisions

1.2 Three tier AEO programme for importers and exporters (AEO-T1, AEO-T2, and AEO-T3)

 It has been decided that the existing ACP and AEO programmes will be merged into this new AEO programme. For the economic operators other than importers and the exporters, the new programme offers only one tier of certification (i.e. AEO-LO) whereas for the importers and the exporters, there will be three tiers of certification (i.e. AEO-T1, AEO-T2 and AEO-T3). Accordingly, henceforth the AEO Programme Manager may, following an application by an economic operator, issue the following Authorized Economic Operator Certificates (hereinafter referred to as AEO certificates)to which the applicant may be eligible as per the eligibility conditions and criteria laid down under paragraph 3 of this circular:

1.2.1 AEO-T1Certificate– This certificate may be granted only to an importer or to an exporter.

For the purpose of this certificate,

(i) the Importer/ Exporter should fulfill the criteria mentioned at para 3.1 below; and

(ii) All other requirements as stipulated in paragraphs 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 below shall be considered to have been met if the information and documents submitted by the applicant prove the claims of the applicant to the satisfaction of the AEO Programme Manager.

1.2.2 AEO-T2 Certificate– This certificate may be granted only to an importer or to an exporter

For the purpose of this certificate,

(i) the economic operator should fulfill the criteria mentioned at para 3.1 below; and

(ii) all other requirements as stipulated in paragraphs 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5 below shall be considered to have been met if the claims made in this regard in information and documents submitted by the applicant have been physically verified by the AEO Programme Team by visiting the concerned places/premises of the applicant, on the dates decided by mutual consent by the team and the applicant, and found to be true to the satisfaction of the AEO Programme Manager.

1.2.3 AEO-T3 Certificate - This certificate may be granted only to an importer or to an exporter.

For the purpose of this certificate,

(i) The economic operator must have continuously enjoyed the status of AEO-T2 for at-least a period of two years preceding the date of application for grant of AEO-T3 status; or

(ii) The economic operator must be an AEO-T2 certificate holder, and its other business partners namely importers or exporters, Logistics service providers, Custodians/Terminal operators, Customs Brokers and Warehouse operators are holders of AEO-T2or AEO-LO certificate or any other equivalent AEO certificate granted by a foreign Customs.