The European Union and Turkey have agreed to mutually recognize their respective Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs, which will strengthen supply chain security and facilitate legitimate trade between the two markets.

The EU-Türkiye Customs Cooperation Committee adopted, on 16 July 2026, the Decision on the mutual recognition of the respective Authorised Economic Operator programmes.

This recognition will allow customs authorities to take into account the trusted operator status recognized by the other party both in their risk analyses and when determining the level of applicable customs controls.

The agreement will come into force once the structured exchange of information on the status of authorized operators has been established.

The Decision represents a significant step forward in strengthening customs cooperation within the existing legal framework of the Customs Union between the European Union and Turkey and will provide concrete benefits to economic operators in both markets.

Background

The Customs Union between the European Union and Türkiye has existed since 1995 and is based on the 1963 Ankara Agreement and its 1970 Additional Protocol.
Governed by the principle of free movement of goods, its scope does not include agricultural products defined in Annex I of the Treaty of Amsterdam or coal and steel products. These products continue to be subject to preferential agreements whose application depends on their originating status.

More information

The European Commission will provide additional guidance, practical information and explanatory material to support the implementation of the agreement, including specific communications aimed at businesses and customs professionals.

Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs) – European Commission.
https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs/authorised-economic-operator_en

Mutual recognition of OAS – European Commission programs.
https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs/authorised-economic-operator/mutual-recognition_en