The Xingsha Customs Authority announced that the number of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) enterprises in its jurisdiction reached 106 from January to August this year. The figure, accounting for 55% of the total in the Changsha Customs District, surpassed the 100 mark for the first time.

AEO-certified enterprises enjoy 45 facilitation measures, including lower inspection rates for import and export goods and expedited customs clearance. As a synonym for high credibility, AEO status is widely recognized internationally and serves as a highly prestigious credential. To date, China has signed AEO mutual recognition agreements (arrangements) with 34 economies, including Singapore and the European Union, covering 60 countries and regions. Both the number of agreements signed and the number of mutually recognized countries and regions rank first in the world. AEO enterprises are not only benchmarks for customs credit management but also vital "passports" for Changsha's foreign trade enterprises to expand into international markets and enhance their competitiveness.

Among the AEO enterprises in the Xingsha Customs jurisdiction, there are 58 advanced certified enterprises and 48 certified enterprises, making it the subordinate customs office with the highest concentration of AEO enterprises in the Changsha Customs District. The total import and export value of AEO enterprises in the jurisdiction reached 83.82 billion CNY. Accounting for a mere 2.2% of the total number of enterprises with actual import and export performance, they contributed 54.35% of Changsha's total foreign trade volume. They have steadily served as the mainstay of foreign trade, becoming a vital force in helping Changsha stabilize foreign trade scale, optimize structure, and improve quality.

AEO certification is transforming from a mere "credit credential" into tangible, quantifiable financial benefits for enterprises. The foreign trade manager of the newly AEO-certified Hunan Xiangjiang Kansai Paint Co., Ltd. shared that, "Dangerous goods account for 90% of our exports. We used to dread customs inspections, as they meant queuing up and delaying shipping schedules. However, within six months after achieving advanced AEO enterprise status, we have exported 13 shipments to destinations such as Jakarta (Indonesia), Laem Chabang (Thailand), and Port Klang (Malaysia). Our inspection rate has dropped significantly. Even when selected for inspection, we benefit from priority customs inspection measures, which has further boosted our clearance efficiency. With smoother cargo movement, we can now confidently make guarantees to our clients. Furthermore, for a single customs declaration, we save over 2,000 CNY in various inspection-related costs, including agency fees, trailer fees, container stripping fees, and demurrage charges. The preferential measures provided by the customs authority to AEO enterprises have effectively reduced our comprehensive operational costs in logistics and time, continuously enhancing our sense of gain in foreign trade development."

The Xingsha Customs Authority has been solidly advancing AEO credit management. By implementing a "one enterprise, one policy" approach, it provides targeted credit cultivation, policy briefings, and dedicated coordinator support to resolve issues. This continuous effort expands the ranks of trustworthy enterprises, helping them fully capitalize on customs clearance facilitation measures and the dividends of international mutual recognition, thereby strongly supporting the development of the local open economy. The continuous expansion of the AEO enterprise roster not only enhances the efficacy of customs credit management but also further solidifies the micro-foundation for the high-quality development of Changsha's foreign trade.

Pan Qing, deputy director of the Xingsha Customs Authority, stated that the next step is to cultivate more high-quality enterprises to obtain AEO certification. By achieving growth in both quantity and quality, the customs authority will continue to contribute to the high-quality development of Changsha's foreign trade. As more premium enterprises join the AEO "network," the mainstay of foreign trade within the Xingsha Customs jurisdiction will grow even stronger. This will inject more robust momentum into Changsha's efforts to build a pacesetter for reform and opening-up in inland regions and to drive the high-quality development of its open economy.

Source: en.changsha.gov.cn