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US and UK conclude AEO arrangement to strengthen end-to-end supply chain security


The US and the UK have concluded an arrangement to formally recognise each other’s authorised economic operator (AEO) programmes. “This arrangement will take US-UK


cooperation on supply chain security to the next level,” said William A Ferrara, Executive Assistant Commissioner of the US Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations. “Mutual recognition of the US and UK authorised economic operator programmes will mitigate risks, improve information sharing and eliminate red tape for our partners in the trade community.” “This is a great achievement and testament to


three years of hard work by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officials to ensure that US and UK AEO traders can continue to benefit from our trading relationship,” wrote HMRC in a statement.


AEO programmes allow low-risk members of


the trade community who meet internationally recognised supply chain security standards to enjoy trade facilitation benefits. Under this arrangement, US Customs and


Border Protection will accept the validation of UK AEOs and grant them approval status in the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT). HMRC will likewise accept the validation of


CTPAT members and grant them approval status as AEOs. CTPAT is a voluntary, public-private


partnership through which members of the trade community cooperate with CBP to protect the supply chain, identify security gaps and implement specific security measures and best practices. By meeting stringent supply chain security


requirements, CTPAT members enjoy benefits including risk mitigation and shorter wait times at


US borders. Since its inception in 2001, CTPAT has grown to include more than 11,400 certified partners throughout the trade community. More information about CTPAT is available at CBP.gov AEO status is an internationally recognised


quality mark indicating that a business’s role in the international supply chain is secure and has customs control procedures in place that meet international standards and criteria. More information about AEO status is available


at gov.uk This mutual recognition arrangement builds on


the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) that the US and the UK concluded in December 2020. CMAAs are bilateral agreements that provide a


legal framework for the exchange of information and evidence to assist countries in the enforcement of customs laws, including duty evasion, trafficking, proliferation, money laundering and terrorism-related activities.


By sea – Hague Visby rules (2 SDR): £2.09 per kg £695.50per package


By road – CMR (8.33 SDR): £8.69 per kg


By air –Montreal Convention (22 SDR): £22.95 per kg


March 2021


By air –Warsaw Convention (17 SDR): £17.74 per kg


BIFA STC: (2 SDR): £2.09 per kg


(The SDR rate on 11 February 2021, according to the IMF website, was 1.04325)


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