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Are you ready to apply for AEO status?

Check your business against HMRC's Authorised Economic Operator criteria before you apply. 24 plain English checks across compliance, records, solvency, competence and security, so there are no surprises at the HMRC visit.

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For UK importers, exporters, manufacturers, freight forwarders and customs brokers

WHY IT MATTERS

What AEO status does for your business

AEO is HMRC's trusted trader status, and the number of small businesses holding it has quadrupled since 2016. These are the benefits most businesses apply for.

Fewer checks, priority when checked

A lower risk score may mean fewer checks on your documents and goods, and priority treatment when they are selected.

Deferment guarantee waived

With AEOC in Great Britain, the guarantee on your duty deferment account is waived up to your deferment level, freeing up working capital.

Recognised by 12 partners

With full AEO, customs in the EU, the US, China, Japan and 8 other partners treat you as a lower risk trader.

Read our guide: how to apply for AEO

THE CHECKLIST

24 checks across five sections, based on HMRC's AEO criteria. Tick what you can evidence. Count your score. Know exactly where you stand.

  • 1
    Compliance history
    Three years of customs and tax records, HMRC infringement history, EORI status.
  • 2
    Record keeping and systems
    How your customs records are stored, accessed and kept, and whether commodity codes are reviewed.
  • 3
    Financial solvency
    Filed accounts, HMRC debt position, deferment account standing.
  • 4
    Practical competence and procedures
    Documented procedures, a named customs lead (3 years of experience is needed for AEOC), and how you work with agents.
  • 5
    Safety and security Full AEO only
    Physical premises security, cargo handling, staff screening and incident reporting.
Sample from the checklist
No serious customs infringements in the past three years
Commodity codes are regularly reviewed for accuracy
A named individual is responsible for customs compliance
Written procedures for import and export
Filed financial accounts available for the past three years

+ 19 more checks with explanatory notes

Download the free checklist

Open it, work through it, and know where you stand, before HMRC does.

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Built by the Readyset customs team
Readyset Consultancy, British customs consultancy
This checklist covers the same checks our team runs at the start of every AEO application we handle. When Readyset guides your application, an experienced customs team prepares your business, submits the application and supports you at the HMRC visit.