Another UK Freight Forwarder Achieves AEO Status

UK - SBS Worldwide is the latest British freight forwarder to achieve Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status since the scheme was introduced in January 2008. AEO is the EU response to the need to secure international supply chains and the introduction of Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) in the USA.

The privately owned company with six facilities in the UK, four in the US (all with C-TPAT accreditation) and one in China commenced shipping and forwarding operations in 1983 and Doug Overett, Managing Director in the UK was delighted with the company’s achievement saying:

“This accreditation by Customs also means that our systems for processing VAT and duties for our customers imported goods have been verified. These procedures can be very complicated and the rules change regularly. Exporters and importers are liable if their forwarder makes a mistake, so an independent verification by HMRC of our processes is excellent.

“Customers using AEO accredited forwarders have the reassurance that these forwarders are highly professional, financially secure, and meet all the criteria for the correct and speedy processing of both the goods and the documentation.”

Mr Overett considers that the independent verification procedure is especially important in countries like the UK which, unlike Germany and the US for instance, has no licensing of Customs brokers. HM Revenue and Customs defines an AEO as “a business involved in the international supply chain which has proved themselves to be compliant and trustworthy, and where applicable, safe and secure.”