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Apply for the status of Authorized Economic Operator

Service Description

Companies or natural persons who are Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) have a special status: they are considered to be particularly reliable and trustworthy and can therefore take advantage of simplifications and benefits in the context of customs clearance. Economic operators can be, for example, manufacturers, warehouse keepers, customs agents, exporters, forwarding agents, carriers or freight forwarders and importers.

You can apply for this status at your local main customs office.

Your reliability is assessed on the basis of the following criteria

  • Compliance with customs and tax regulations
  • Satisfactory accounting system
  • solvency
  • if applicable, practical and professional competence (AEOC and AEOC + AEOS)
  • appropriate security standards where applicable (AEOS and AEOC + AEOS)

The status of Authorized Economic Operator is valid in all Member States of the European Union and is not limited in time. The status can be granted in 3 variants:

  • AEO authorization "Customs simplifications" (AEOC)
  • AEO authorization "Security and Safety" (AEOS)
  • AEO authorization "Customs simplifications and security" (AEOC and AEOS) (so-called combined authorization)

You have the option of having your company included in the European Commission's list of AEO-authorized companies after authorization as an AEO.

Process flow

You must submit the application to your competent main customs office. You can complete the form in the online application or print it out and complete it yourself:

Internet application:

  • Open the internet application for the granting of an AEO authorization.
  • Click on "Internet application form for AEO authorization".
  • Complete the form.
  • Click on "Submit application" and send the application to the responsible main customs office.
  • Then print out the form and sign it.

Paper form:

  • Open the website of the customs administration and download the "Application for an AEO authorization (form 0390)".
  • Then print out the form, complete it and sign it.

The next steps are as follows, whether you complete the form online or on paper:

  • Save the form electronically on a data carrier, for example a USB stick or CD.
  • Also download the customs authorization questionnaire and complete parts I to V (AEOC only) or I to IV and VI (AEOS only) or I to VI (AEOC + AEOS).
  • It is advisable to contact your contact person at the responsible main customs office before processing in order to clarify any open questions regarding your application and, if necessary, the questionnaire.
  • Print out the completed questionnaire and also save it on the data carrier.
  • Attach all required documents, either in paper form or electronically on the data carrier.
  • Send the printed form in paper form as well as the electronic copy including the questionnaire and the other documents on the data carrier by post to your main customs office.
  • The main customs office will check your application and send you a written decision.

Requirements

  • You are an economic operator and are generally established in the customs territory of the Union.
  • In the last 3 years, you have not committed any serious or repeated violations of customs and tax regulations or serious criminal offenses in the course of your economic activity.
  • You keep proper records.
  • You are solvent, i.e.
    • You are not subject to insolvency proceedings,
    • you have met your financial obligations regarding the payment of customs duties, taxes and other customs-related charges in the last 3 years and
    • you have positive net assets.
  • You ensure that your trading partners take care of the security of their part of the international supply chain.
  • You have the appropriate practical and professional skills.

Which documents are required?

  • Proof of proper accounting in the form of documents and declarations with:Details of the accounting system used (financial accounting and materials and merchandise management), which must enable customs controls based on audits
    • Information on the integration of the records that you keep for customs purposes into the accounting system or the options for reconciling the records with the accounting system
    • Information on the archiving of data, which must result in an audit trail
    • Information on the logistical system, which must enable a distinction to be made between Union and non-Union goods and their localization
    • Information on the procedure for processing import and export licenses in connection with prohibitions and restrictions
  • Proof of solvency in the form of balance sheets/P&Ls for the last 3 years and, if applicable, other documents proving solvency
  • Proof of practical and professional skills (if required):
    • At least 3 years of practical experience in the customs sector or
    • Compliance with a quality standard for the customs sector adopted by a European standardization organization or
    • successful completion of a customs training course that corresponds to the scope of your customs-related activities or
    • Proof of assignment of an AEOC (AEO authorization "customs simplifications") for customs matters
  • Proof of compliance with security standards (if required) in the form of documents, declarations or certificates on the measures taken

What are the fees?

There are no costs involved. The involvement of external certifiers or experts is not required.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

There is no deadline.

Processing duration

The processing time depends on various factors, in particular the quality of the questionnaire submitted and the size of the company. The competent main customs office will decide on your application after 120 days at the latest. An extension of the deadline is possible.

Legal basis

Applications / forms

  • Appeal. Detailed information on how to lodge an appeal can be found in the rejection or approval notice.
  • Appeal to the tax court

Appeal

Forms available: Yes

Written form required: Yes

Informal application possible: No

Personal appearance necessary: No

Online services available: Yes

What else should I know?

There are no indications or special features.

Further Information

Author

Directorate General of Customs


Forwarding service: Deep link to the portal of origin

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Technically approved by

Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF)

Professionally released on

14.01.2022

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)

Start your request directly online:

Competent Authority

Hauptzollamt Nürnberg, Kontaktstelle AEO (Zugelassener Wirtschaftsbeteiligter)

Address
Frankenstraße 208
90461 Nürnberg
Remark: Subject area B
Telephone
+49 911 94631360
Telephone
+49 911 94631361
Telephone
+49 911 94631362
Fax
+49 911 94631399
E-Mail
Contact us
WWW
AEO contact point
Opening times

Monday to Thursday 08:30 to 16 o'clock

Friday 08:30 to 12 o'clock

Further Authorities

Generalzolldirektion (GZD), Dienststellensuche Zoll
Address
Carusufer 3-5
01099 Dresden, Stadt
Telephone
+49 228 303-26020
Remark: For private individuals
Telephone
+49 228 303-26030
Remark: For companies
Fax
+49 351 44834-590
E-Mail
Contact us
Remark: For private individuals
E-Mail
Contact us
Remark: For companies
WWW
Customs office search on the German customs website
WWW
Website of the German customs authorities
DE-Mail
auskunft-zoll.gzd@zoll.de-mail.de