The Japan Air Cargo Forwarders Association (JAFA) said that earlier this year, the Japanese Government announced its intention to introduce an Authorised Economic Operator, or AEO, system for customs clearance procedures.
The AEO system is the key element of CSP, the European Union (EU) Customs Security Programme, which is the equivalent of the American CBP Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) programme aimed at promoting global supply-chain security. Under the AEO system, “reliable traders,” established in the EU, may voluntarily apply for AEO status. Just as CTPAT, AEO is a voluntary programme, which allows companies to receive trade facilitation, or “green lane” benefits, for their imports into the EU.
According to JAFA, it is intended to implement a fully-fl edged AEO system in Japan by the year 2010. This will coincide with the completion of a substantial expansion of the New-Tokyo International Airport of Narita and the Tokyo International Airport at Haneda.
Meanwhile, all World Customs Organisation member nations have committed themselves to adopting some version of an AEO system at some point in the future.
JAFA pointed out that talks have started between the US and ASEAN with an aim to build a harmonised AEO system in the Asian-Pacific region.
In a related development, a recently amended Customs Law specifies an ‘authorised’ importer, who must satisfy custom’s compliance requirements, may make prior declaration of his imported goods, so that they are cleared for delivery immediately upon arrival. Payment of customs duties, taxes, etc. are deferred to a later date.
Likewise, a new simplified export declaration procedure, which allows an ‘authorised’ shipper to make an export declaration of his goods at his own premises (warehouse, factory, etc.) is also expected to be incorporated in the new AEO system.