What is AEO status and what benefits does it offer?

AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) is an international customs status certifying reliability in the supply chain. The EU has three levels: AEO-C (customs simplifications), AEO-S (security), AEO-F (combined). Switzerland issues a single AEO certificate type, comparable to the EU's AEO-S (security and safety). A separate AEO-C certificate is unnecessary in Switzerland as customs simplifications are managed through specific authorisations. Benefits include: fewer physical and documentary controls; priority processing; simplified procedures; mutual recognition with third countries (EU, USA, Japan, China, Norway and others). Requirements: customs compliance, financial solvency, security standards, professional competence and record keeping. Franzosini is a certified AEO operator.