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AEO T2

AEO T2 Certificate

Apply for AEO T2 Certificate with us and get prioritised saving time & cost

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    AEO T2 Certificate

    Apply for AEO T2 Certificate with us and get prioritised saving time & cost

      6000 +
      Business served
      9.6/10
      Customer Ratings
      100 %
      Satisfaction
      Authorized Economic Operator

      What is AEO T2 Certificate?

      The World Customs Organization (WCO) initiated the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program as part of the SAFE framework to ensure and expedite global trade. The program's objective is to strengthen security in the international supply chain while also promoting the movement of legal goods. Government of India has introduced this program to improve Ease of Doing Business in they country. The AEO program provides importers and exporters with a three-tier certification system (AEO T1, AEO T2, and AEO T3) and a single-tier certification system (AEO-LO) for logistics operators.

      AEO T2 is the second tier of the AEO Certificate which is only available for importers and exporters. AEO T2 Certificate awards an importer/exporter with even more benefits and priority treatment as compared to AEO T1 certificate. However, the documentational requirements of AEO T2 are even more than AEO T1.

      What are the benefits of obtaining AEO T2 certificate?

      Higher Facilitation

      AEO T2 certified companies are given priority treatment and faster clearance of their goods compared to non AEO companies. This higher facilitation leads to reduced waiting times and lower costs associated with customs procedures.

      Waiver of Seal Verification

      For AEO T2 certified companies verification/scrutiny of documents by the customs officers would be waived at the time of seal. Further, consignment would be given out of charge or let export order without any scrutiny.

      Direct Port Delivery and Direct Port Entry

      AEO T2 certified companies are eligible for both Direct Port Delivery and Direct Port Entry facilities, which can further lead to reduced dwell time, faster turnaround time, and cost savings.

      Only One OSPCA in two years

      The AEO T2 certfied companies will not be subjected to regular transactional Post-Clearance Audits (PCA). On-site PCA will be conducted only once in two years.

      Refund/Rebate within 45 days

      The refund/rebate relating to indirect taxes of an AEO T2 certified company will be granted within a period of 45 days.

      24x7 Clearance

      Companies having AEO T2 certificate get the facility of 24/7 clearance at all seaports and airports. Furthermore, these companies are also exempted from paying Merchant Overtime Fees. 

      Priority Scanning

      In case a container of AEO T2 certified company is selected for scanning, the same would be scanned on front-line priority

      75% BG Waiver

      AEO T2 certified companies will have the facility of 75% BG Waiver. AEO T2 companies are eligible to provide 50% less bank guarantee as compared to non-certified companies.

      Email on arrival/departure

      Companies having AEO T2 certificate will receive regular email updates on arrival and departure of the vessels.

      Faster duty drawback

      Companies having AEO T2 certificate enjoy the facility of expedited duty drawback as compared to non-certified companies.

      ID cards and space in warehouse

      An authorised personnel from an AEO T2 certified company is issued an ID Card from Indian Customs Authorities to facilitate hassle-free entry to Customs House, CFS (Container Freight Station), and ICD (Inland Container Depot).

      Deferred Duty Payment

      AEO T2 Certified companies are eligible to avail the benefit of Deferred Payment of Duty Scheme, as a part of which they are allowed to de-link customs duty payment with customs clearance.

      Faster Dispute Resolution

      AEO T2 certified companies are given a facility of expedited dispute resolution preferably within 6 months. Investigation relating to indirect tax cases will also be done on priority.

      Self Sealing of Containers

      AEO T2 certified companies are eligible of self sealing exprot products in containers without the requirement to seek case to case permission from the authority.

      Client Relationship manager

      A Client Relationship Manager will be appointed by the customs houses, who will act as a voice of AEO T2 certified company within the customs in matters related to legal concerns and issues of AEO Programme.

      Who are eligible for AEO T2 Certificate?

      Companies who have handled at least 25 documents (Shipping Bills & Bills of Entry) in last Financial Year are eligible to apply for AEO T2 Certificate

      Companies applying for AEO T2 Certificate should be a part of an international supply chain

      AEO T2 can be given to a whole legal entity of an organisation and not separately to subsidiaries of a group company

      Only companies that are established in India are eligible to apply for AEO T2 Certificate

      Companies that have had business operation for 3 years are eligible to apply for AEO T2 certificate. (This condition can be waived off for deserving cases)

      How will we help you obtain AEO T2 Certificate?

      right knowledge

      We help you by giving you the right knowledge about the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) benefits and obligation attached with it

      Documentation and Certification

      We help in completing the procedural requirement and documentation that includes forms, declarations, certificates and submitting them before the concerned authorities

      Robust follow up routine
      We follow up with the concerned authoritiesdraft replies to all the queries / deficiencies raised to get the AEO Certificate in time with a minimal delay
      Attending Physical Inspection
      AEO T2 certificate is issued to an importer/exporter only after physical verification of all the premises by the AEO Programme Manager Team. We provide support at this stage with our presence helping you to provide accurate evidences against the scrutiny.
      post certification support
      We help you in post certification support compliance by keeping a track of export/import performance drafting replies to queries issued by the concerned authorities and tracking expiry/renewal
      Frequently Asked Questions

      All you need to know before applying for AEO T2 Certificate:

      An AEO is a business engaged in international movement of goods that must comply with national Customs law and WCO SAFE security standards. Approval by the national administration is required based on compliance with these standards. The Indian AEO program is based on WCO SAFE security standards.

      The AEO program aims to identify safe and compliant businesses and provide them with facilitated customs clearance. This helps Customs focus on regulating risky businesses and secures the international supply chain by promoting best practices. The program is a collaboration between Customs and businesses, where businesses share responsibility for securing the supply chain and receive benefits in return. It encourages best practices and mutual cooperation to minimize risks and improve supply chain security, benefiting both Customs and businesses by enhancing security, reducing costs and facilitating trade.

      The AEO Scheme of the WCO was developed in response to the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, which highlighted the potential risk of the supply chain being exploited for illegal activities. Governments around the world recognized the need to enhance supply chain security and ensure the safe movement of goods across borders.

      The AEO Program began in India as a pilot project in 2011 through Circular No. 37/2011-Customs. Later, it was revised and the final version was introduced through Circular No. 28/2012 on November 16, 2012.

      No, AEO status is optional and depends on the business’s position in the supply chain and desire to obtain its benefits.

      The Indian AEO program has three tiers for importers and exporters: AEO-T1, AEO-T2, and AEO-T3, with increasing benefits and compliance requirements. Logistics providers, custodians, terminal operators, customs brokers, and warehouse operators have a single-tier program called AEO-LO certification.

      AEO-T1 and AEO-T2 are valid for three years, while AEO-T3 and AEO-LO are valid for five years.

      Yes, AEO certificate is valid at all Customs stations in India, which means AEO status holders will receive its benefits at all ports, airports, and land Customs stations.

      Yes, all AEO Status holders including AEO T1, AEO T2, and AEO T3 are entitled for DPD / DPE facility.

      No, the amount of Bank Guarantee is not automatically reduced to 50%, 25%, and Nil for T1, T2, and T3. CBIC Circular No. 38/2016 dated August 22, 2016, specifies the situations where the reduction applies, and it does not apply when a competent authority orders the submission of a bank guarantee for the provisional release of seized goods.

      AEO T2 and AEO T3 status holders are eligible for deferred payment of duty scheme. As a part of this scheme, status holders can delink duty payment from Customs clearance. It is based on the principle ‘Clear First-Pay later’. Basically AEO T2 and AEO T3 status holders can delay the payment of customs duty by certain period of time.

      To access deferred payment of duty, eligible importers must inform their intention to the Principal Commissioner of Customs or the Commissioner of Customs and register on the ICEGATE website at www.icegate.gov.in, following Rule 4 of the Deferred Payment of Import Duty Rules, 2016.

      Yes, facilitation benefits will be available in countries with which India has signed Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA). India’s Customs has signed MRAs with South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong Customs, allowing reciprocal trade benefits.

      Mutual Recognition Agreement is a bilateral trade agreement between two countries.

      No, the AEO LO status is only valid and applicable to the applicant, not their importers or exporters. Importers and exporters must apply separately for AEO status.

      The following Chief Commissioner of Customs offices are currently designated for processing AEO applications:

      • Mumbai Zone-I
      • Mumbai Zone-II
      • Mumbai Zone-III
      • Delhi
      • Vishakhapatnam
      • Patna
      • Bhubaneswar
      • Chennai
      • Ahmedabad
      • Hyderabad
      • Kolkata
      • Pune
      • Tiruchirappalli
      • Nagpur
      • Bangalore
      • Bhopal

      AEO Applications has to be submitted online and physically at the respective customs jurisdiction offices.

      Yes, they can reapply if the reasons for rejection are no longer valid and they meet the eligibility criteria.

      An existing AEO certificate holder can apply for higher AEO
      status. There is no time limit for filing higher status application except in case of AEO-T3.

      No, there is no provision to grant a seperate AEO status to a specific branch, site or division of a legal entity

      In general, an applicant for Indian AEO status must have business activities for at least three financial years before the date of application. However, in some exceptional cases where the AEO Programme Manager conducts a physical verification of a newly established business entity’s internal controls, they may consider it for certification.

      Yes, MSMEs can apply for AEO all tiers including AEO T1, AEO T2, AEO T3 and AEO LO.

      More questions? Seek help of our experts

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