TNT applies for EU's new AEO status for priority treatment at customs
TNT NV said it will apply for EU authorised economic operator (AEO) status, which will allow it to receive priority treatment at European customs when agents inspect shipments.
The new standard, launched Jan 1, is accompanied by increased border control, with the aim to increase security in the international supply chain and to modernise EU customs procedures.
The status gives companies the right of access to simplified procedures.
TNT said: ‘The AEO standard is to express carriers what the green ‘nothing to declare’ line is to individual passengers: a fast-moving and formality-light solution. The officials may inspect your luggage, but normally they won’t.’
The company says it is the first of the main express-services companies to apply for the status.
It said its TNT Post unit applied for the status as a pilot in the Netherlands in December, and now its flagship air hub in Liege is applying for AEO status with the Belgian customs authorities.
The European Commission said although each company must apply for the status with each individual country, it only has to complete the paperwork for the first application. The other countries are expected to grant the status without requiring the process to be repeated.
TNT said it will soon apply for the status for its main operations in the Netherlands as well as in Germany, Ireland and the Czech Republic, with all other EU countries to follow by the middle of the year.
The company said it is providing the authorities with a comprehensive self-assessment, which should allow them to process the application within 90 days instead of 300, and expects to receive full EU-wide accreditation by mid-2009.
TNT NV said it will apply for EU authorised economic operator (AEO) status, which will allow it to receive priority treatment at European customs when agents inspect shipments.
The new standard, launched Jan 1, is accompanied by increased border control, with the aim to increase security in the international supply chain and to modernise EU customs procedures.
The status gives companies the right of access to simplified procedures.
The company says it is the first of the main express-services companies to apply for the status.
It said its TNT Post unit applied for the status as a pilot in the Netherlands in December, and now its flagship air hub in Liege is applying for AEO status with the Belgian customs authorities.
The European Commission said although each company must apply for the status with each individual country, it only has to complete the paperwork for the first application. The other countries are expected to grant the status without requiring the process to be repeated.
TNT said it will soon apply for the status for its main operations in the Netherlands as well as in Germany, Ireland and the Czech Republic, with all other EU countries to follow by the middle of the year.
The company said it is providing the authorities with a comprehensive self-assessment, which should allow them to process the application within 90 days instead of 300, and expects to receive full EU-wide accreditation by mid-2009.
The new standard, launched Jan 1, is accompanied by increased border control, with the aim to increase security in the international supply chain and to modernise EU customs procedures.
The status gives companies the right of access to simplified procedures.
TNT said: ‘The AEO standard is to express carriers what the green ‘nothing to declare’ line is to individual passengers: a fast-moving and formality-light solution. The officials may inspect your luggage, but normally they won’t.’
The company says it is the first of the main express-services companies to apply for the status.
It said its TNT Post unit applied for the status as a pilot in the Netherlands in December, and now its flagship air hub in Liege is applying for AEO status with the Belgian customs authorities.
The European Commission said although each company must apply for the status with each individual country, it only has to complete the paperwork for the first application. The other countries are expected to grant the status without requiring the process to be repeated.
TNT said it will soon apply for the status for its main operations in the Netherlands as well as in Germany, Ireland and the Czech Republic, with all other EU countries to follow by the middle of the year.
The company said it is providing the authorities with a comprehensive self-assessment, which should allow them to process the application within 90 days instead of 300, and expects to receive full EU-wide accreditation by mid-2009.
