Beginning in January 2012, a reassessment of authorizations for a simplified customs procedure will be carried out and largely based on AEO-criteria related to the AEO Customs Simplification (AEO-C) status. Organizations wishing to obtain simplified procedures after this date, must meet three criteria (an appropriate record of compliance with customs requirements, a satisfactory system of managing commercial and transport records, and proven financial solvency). Organizations wishing to obtain a security and safety status or AEO-S, or those wanting to obtain a combined customs simplification/security and safety or AEO-F, must both meet additional requirements to those needed for an AEO-C status. It should be noted that current authorizations, as well as new applications for simplified procedures, will be subject to a new application process. Organizations already authorized for simplified customs procedures will also be required to meet the AEO criteria; those who do not could lose their authorization.

Becoming AEO certified provides an organization with benefits such as expedited cargo releases, reduced transit times, access to special measures during time of trade disruptions or elevated threat levels, and priority during product checks. All organizations looking to obtain AEO status (AEO-C, AEO-S, or AEO-F) will need to engage in a self-assessment of their global supply chains using a pre-determined set of security standards and best practices. Questions asked to the suppliers will need to demonstrate an adherence to policies and procedures that safeguard against any loss of integrity of their shipments until released from Customs control at destination. Many organizations find this self-assessment process a daunting task.

Integration Point AEO Assessment Software provides the functionality needed for companies to standardize the collection, organization and assessment of the information required during the process of applying for and keeping AEO status. The Integration Point software allows the operator to efficiently gather the required information for all types of AEO certificates in one single database.

Using the tools provided by the AEO Assessment Software, organizations capture and analyze internal security profiles and external supplier security profiles in real-time. The customizable workflow provided by the software allows the operator to tailor questions to specific profiles for groups of parties to be verified during AEO certification. As mutual recognition continues to grow, the ability to share questionnaires across certification programs lessens the burden on operators to gather and maintain the same information multiple times. Economic Operators also track key performance indicators for easy review as well as see the needed required actions. These indicators can be internal measurements centered on product classification, shipment validation, and duty calculations.

Integration Point AEO Assessment Software provides the following benefits of automation:

• Eliminate the need for manual tracking of risk factors
• Verify that pre-determined security best practices are incorporated into existing business practices at all necessary locations
• Tailor reporting to easily view risk gap analysis
• Attach documentation to individual supplier records and retain for easy retrieval during the reassessment/validation process
• Customize risk ratings based on an organization's tolerance levels and security profiles

The AEO Assessment Software sends out electronic invitations requesting suppliers to participate by completing the necessary information within the desired timeframe. Reminders and deadline notices are sent automatically to those that have not completed the submission of information. As each question is answered, the impact to the overall risk rating is calculated instantly rather than waiting for answers to be returned and compiled manually. Organizations see in real-time if a supplier is going to be a risk to the overall supply chain and take steps, if necessary, to correct or lessen the risk.

To learn more about Integration Point AEO Assessment, please complete our online request form or send us an email.