Benefits of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement

  1. Overview
  2. Origin of goods and tariffs
  3. AEO mutual recognition

AEO mutual recognition

In the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (EU-UK TCA), ANNEX CUSTMS-1 set outs the criteria for and treatment of Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs).

The mutual recognition aspect of the EU-UK TCA for Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) relates to safety and security aspects. Therefore, AEOs who hold AEO Safety and Security (AEOS) or AEO Full authorisation (AEOF) status can benefit from the agreement. The benefits include the following:

  • fewer safety and security related controls
  • and
  • priority treatment at customs clearance.

Holders of AEO authorisations with the safety and security component, both AEOS and AEOF, will benefit from this agreement. By mutual recognition of AEOs the EU and the UK are agreeing to:

  • recognise the AEO authorisation issued under each other’s safety and security programme
  • and
  • provide reciprocal safety and security benefits to AEOs in each other’s programmes.

For those who hold AEO Customs Simplification (AEOC) status only, there are no safety and security benefits for them in the Agreement.

Further information

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