1.I.3. The AEO for Customs Simplifications-Protection and Security (AEOC-AEOS)

These types of authorization (AEOC and AEOS) are cumulative. In such a case, the operator must satisfy both the AEOC and AEOS criteria and receive the benefits corresponding to both.

Article 33 of the UCC Implementing Act (UAC) provides that " where an applicant is entitled to obtain both an AEOC and an AEOS authorisation, the Customs authority competent to take the decision shall issue a combined authorisation ".

For the purposes of managing AEOC and AEOS authorisations held by the same economic operator, the electronic exchange of information pursuant to Article 16(1) of the UCC takes place by means of a single AEO authorisation number (currently structured as the country code followed by the letters AEOF and the national authorisation number).

The following table summarizes the conditions and criteria of the AEO.

Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)

Conditions and criteria	AEOC	AEOS	Reference to CAU/AE CAU	Part of the guidelines
Economic operator	X	X	Art. 5, ap. 5, CAU	1.II.1
Established in the customs territory of the Union	X	X	Art. 5, ap. 31, CAU	1.II.2
Compliance	X	X	Art. 39, letter a), CAU Art. 24 AE CAU	2.I
Keeping appropriate records	X	X	Art. 39, letter b), CAU Art. 25, AE CAU	2.II
Financial solvency	X	X	Art. 39, letter c), CAU Art. 26, AE CAU	2.III
Appropriate level of competence or professional qualifications	X		Art. 39, letter d), CAU Art. 27, AE CAU	2.IV
Safety and security		X	Art. 39, letter e), CAU Art. 28, AE CAU	2.V