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2016 OAS Guidelines

5.I.2. Authorization as an AEO comprising several ECPs

The general principles of monitoring activities described in section 5.I.1 shall apply in all cases. However, when the AEO status granted to a parent company encompasses several ECPs, other specific elements must be taken into account. The general principle that the EEA is competent to grant the AEO status and plays the leading role in the process must also be maintained during the authorization management phase. However, in these specific cases, it must also be taken into account that the "practical" knowledge and information relating to a particular branch are held by the customs authorities of the Member State in which it is located. Based on this, and in order to ensure effective management of the authorisation when carrying out monitoring activities, close cooperation between the competent customs authority and the customs authorities of the Member States where the ECPs or branches concerned are located is of enormous importance, as provided for in Article 35 of the CAU AE. When developing the monitoring plan, the following should be taken into account:

  • It is recommended that a single general monitoring plan be formulated for the AEO in whose name the status is granted. However, such a plan must be based on individual plans and information prepared by the Member State concerned.
  • The AEE is responsible for the overall coordination and framework of the plan, specifically for avoiding potential overlaps or duplications of planned or implemented monitoring activities, gathering all new information, updating plans, and so on.
  • In general, the customs authorities of the Member States in which the ECPs are located are responsible for preparing the part of the monitoring plan related to such ECPs. This part must be communicated to the AEE within a reasonable period of time to allow for the preparation and coordination of the general monitoring plan. In addition, national customs authorities are responsible for any on-site inspections to be carried out at the ECPs.
  • All relevant information communicated by the AEO to any customs authority and transmitted to the AAE must be taken into account.
  • Relevant conclusions drawn by a customs authority in a CPT and shared with the EAA will also be taken into consideration.