Today the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine hosted the ceremony of the first Ukrainian Authorized Economic Operator (hereinafter - AEO) Certificate presentation. PJSC JT International Ukraine acquired AEO status and successfully obtained AEO authorization in Ukraine following European practice and standards.

This certificate confirms the right to use simplified procedures in customs. The initiative is one of the first European integration projects of the State Customs Service.

The event was attended by Minister of Finance of Ukraine Sergii Marchenko, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy Danylo Hetmantsev, Deputy Minister of Finance of Ukraine Yuriy Draganchuk, Chairman of the State Customs Service Pavlo Ryabikin and business representatives.

"Customs authorities should not be a barrier when crossing the border. This practice is becoming a thing of the past. We support honest business and make customs procedures as easy as possible for importers and exporters. The AEO status is the highest level of trust of customs to enterprises in the form of providing them with special simplifications and advantages when carrying out customs formalities", said Minister of Finance of Ukraine Sergii Marchenko.

"It is an important Eurointegration project, which contributes to the alignment of the customs legislation of Ukraine with the European standards, simplifies international trade, and increases the competitive attractiveness of Ukrainian enterprises," he added.

The chairman of the State Customs Service Pavlo Ryabikin said: "AEO is a program of cooperation between customs and business. Customs trust virtuous businessmen. The Authorized Economic Operator program puts that trust into practice. In addition, Certificate No. 1 documents that Ukraine has fulfilled one of its obligations under the Association Agreement with the EU - it has introduced the Authorized Economic Operator program."

The AEO program was introduced by the World Customs Organization in 2005 by adopting the framework standards of security and facilitation of global trade. To date, AEO programs have been implemented in 97 countries around the world. Another 20 are in the process of implementing them.

Background

Ukraine's introduction of the AEO program is stipulated by the Association Agreement with the EU. Ukraine has fulfilled this obligation.

The work on the regulatory framework has lasted since 2015. In 2019, amendments to the Customs Code of Ukraine were adopted, which became the legal basis for the introduction of the AEO program in Ukraine.

The adopted law complies with the European legislation and practice on AEO issues.

During the year 2020, the Ministry of Finance together with the Customs Service with the assistance of the Reform Support Office under the Ministry of Finance and EU4PFM program ensured the preparation and adoption of the necessary by-laws.

The first application for AEO authorization was allowed to be accepted last fall.