Apply for Authorized Economic Operator status

As an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), you benefit from simplifications in customs clearance. To obtain this status, you must submit an application to your main customs office.

Companies or natural persons who are Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) hold a special status: They are considered to be particularly reliable and trustworthy and can benefit from simplifications and privileges in customs clearance as a result. Economic operators can include manufacturers, warehouse keepers, customs agents, exporters, freight forwarders, carriers or hauliers, and importers.

You can apply for the status at your locally competent main customs office. 

Your reliability is evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Compliance with customs and tax regulations
• satisfactory accounting system
• Solvency
• where applicable, practical and professional qualifications (AEOC and AEOC + AEOS)
• where applicable, appropriate security standards (AEOS and AEOC + AEOS)

The status of Authorized Economic Operator is valid in all member states of the European Union and is not limited in time. The status can be granted in 3 variants:

• AEO Authorization „Customs Simplifications“ (AEOC)
• AEO Certificate „Security“ (AEOS)
• AEO authorization „Customs simplifications and security“ (AEOC and AEOS) (so-called combined authorization)

Following authorization, you have the option to have your company included in the European Commission's directory of AEO-authorized companies.

You must submit the application to your local main customs office. You can fill out the form in the online application or print it out and fill it out yourself:

Internet application

• Open the internet application for granting an AEO authorization.
• Click on "AEO Application Online Form".
• Fill out the form.
• Click on "Submit application" and transmit the application to the competent main customs office.
• Print out the form afterwards and sign it.

Paper form:

• Open the customs administration website and download the "Application for an AEO authorization (Form 0390)".
• Then print out the form, fill it out, and sign it. 

Whether filled out via the web application or in paper form, the next steps are as follows:

• Save the form electronically on a data carrier, for example a USB stick or a CD.
• Please also download the questionnaire on customs authorizations and fill out parts I to V (AEOC only) or parts I to IV and VI (AEOS only) or parts I to VI (AEOC + AEOS). 
• It is recommended to contact your contact person at the competent main customs office before processing to clarify any open questions regarding your application and, if applicable, the questionnaire.
• Print out the completed questionnaire and also save it to the storage medium.
• Please attach all necessary documents, either in paper form or electronically on the data medium.
• Send the printed form, along with the electronic copy—including the questionnaire and the other documents on the data storage device—by mail to your local main customs office.
• The main customs office will review your application and send you a written notice.

There is no deadline.

There are no costs involved. The involvement of external certifiers or experts is not required.

• Appeal. Detailed information on how to file an appeal can be found in the rejection or approval notice.
• Action before the finance court