1.I.4. Preparation prior to submitting an application

The process of preparing an AEO application, as well as the authorization and maintenance of the AEO, is lengthy. The key to success is thorough preparation. Therefore, it is expected that the applicant wishing to become an AEO will have control over his or her activity.

This means that, depending on the type of AEO requested and the company's activities and business model, it must implement appropriate organizational measures in the areas related to the AEO criteria, in order to ensure that the risks associated with its customs activities can be identified and avoided or minimized.

To better understand what customs is looking for and speed up the process, it is mandatory to use a CAE.

The CAE is a tool for structuring the economic operator's preparation, identifying the operator's organizational units to be included, and understanding the depth of preparation required.

For close cooperation between customs and the applicant/EOA, it is recommended to contact the Customs Authority of Issuance (CAI) at an early stage and maintain this contact even after the application process is completed. This can help avoid misunderstandings on both sides and provides support if any questions arise.

In summary, before formally submitting the application, the economic operator is strongly recommended to:

• contact the AAE,
• decide what type of authorization you need,
• appoint a competent contact person to handle the application,
• Answer all questions on the CAE and ensure that all relevant individuals and departments within the organization are involved in completing the CAE.

In addition, it is necessary to ensure that the company's management supports the AEO request.

The following diagram presents an overview of the preparation process:

See also Part 3, “Application and Authorization Process.”