WCO Issues Guidance on Authorized Economic Operators and Mutual Recognition Arrangements
The World Customs Organizations posted new documents meant to "provide detailed guidance and further support for the implementation of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes and their complementary Mutual Recognition Arrangements/Agreements (MRAs) in a more effective and harmonized manner globally," the WCO said in a news release. The WCO validator guide provides "essential elements needed to carry out an AEO validation" and "facilitates the efficiency of mutual recognition negotiations and implementations
processes," the WCO said.
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The MRA strategy guide discusses various considerations for customs regimes when looking at MRAs, such as trade volumes and political will. The guide also offers insights on trends, such as the use of information sharing protocols. Once an MRA is signed, "partners need to establish clear protocols for handling situations where infractions occur with the AEO in one country and if/how the action taken impacts a related AEO in the other country," the WCO said. "Such protocols should include specific timeframes for reporting, so that any action taken is done so in a timely manner to ensure that the security of the international supply chain is not compromised."