Towards safe international trade

In 2020, the arrival of the pandemic broke paradigms and structures in all aspects of daily life and work. The world went into crisis and with the arrival of vaccines a light is glimpsed at the bottom of the tunnel to achieve a recovery that allows a return to a certain normality. It is a challenge that we will surely have to face starting next year, but in which we must already get to work.

The reactivation of the world economy will allow the springs of international trade to be oiled again and it is important to know what are the best tools that guarantee us to develop it safely and effectively.

Under the framework of the SAFE regulations, 2005, the World Customs Organization, which represents 181 customs offices that cover 98% of world trade, created the figure of “Authorized Economic Operator” (AEO) with the aim of ensuring and facilitating trade global. It became an international seal of good practices to guarantee the transparency and security of the entire process of the foreign trade operation.

It is a program where Customs assumes a process audit role, guiding the operator in the preparation of documentation and in verifying that all requirements are met.

The application for admission is free and voluntary and all those foreign trade operators or members of the international supply chain are admitted, with a minimum of three years in the activity, who comply with all their tax obligations and have a system training and implementation of security measures for goods and integrity of the logistics chain.

Some of the main requirements for admission are: tax compliance or “compliance”, that is, having all the documentation in order and having paid all the obligations of the last year; have all the updated and verified records of the import and export operation; accredit the possession of goods and resources to meet financial commitments; and meet the security requirements within the import and export logistics chain.

Importers and exporters, customs brokers, customs transport agents and carriers, permit holders of fiscal warehouses and cargo terminals, and PSP / courier postal service providers can join the AEO program.

Currently also free zones, key to generating employment and investment, ports and airports have the possibility of being certified as AEO.

With the expectation that the Argentine economy can recover soon, it is very important that the State continue to support all the actors involved so that they can obtain this seal of quality, making the foreign trade operation more efficient and secure, generating opportunities for business, the opening of new markets and as a direct consequence the generation of foreign exchange for investment.

In turn, permanent training in each of the companies is key to be aligned with the requirements that the market today demands for the use of this type of tools and to promote a strong investment in digital education and in how to implement the safest and most better processes.

The author is general manager of Clément, Foreign Trade

–