The AEO certificate for customs simplification (AEOC) was issued by the Main Customs Office in Dortmund.
The aim of the certificate is to indicate that the international supply chain is secure from the manufacturer of a product through to its end user. A company that has AEO status is considered particularly reliable and trustworthy and can benefit from special treatment when it comes to customs clearance.
"Applying for the certificate involved a lot of work and time. But the effort has been worth it, as AEO status really does make things easier for us in many ways," says Robert Daitschmann, Head of Purchasing and Logistics at the Masterflex Group. For one thing, products and documents are subjected to less frequent checks or are given priority. On the basis of prior notifications, Masterflex now only has to submit reduced datasets.
These privileges also benefit the customers of the hose and connections specialist, which, though based in Gelsenkirchen, has an international presence: "AEO status is not just a seal of quality; it also significantly accelerates and simplifies customs clearance, so it offers real added value to our customers as well," says Daitschmann.
Approval for AEO status is linked to extensive requirements in terms of reliability, legal compliance and proof that internal processes are safe and secure. In addition, certain security standards must be met in relation to computer systems and data backup.
The certificate itself is an important component of the EU safety and security concept. The status of "Authorized Economic Operator" is valid in all Member States and is not subject to any time limits. Within the Masterflex Group, only the Masterflex brand itself holds AEO certification.
