A new facility to simplify export operations starting December 1, 2023, for companies holding AEO certification

The simplification of customs operations is critical for economic operators involved in the supply chain. This year, specifically starting from December 1, 2023, export customs operations will be carried out through the new IT system called AES-RO, developed by the Romanian customs authority.

By Mihai Petre, Director, Global Trade, EY Romania and Cosmin Dincă, Manager, Global Trade, EY Romania

What are the main changes for the business environment? With the implementation of AES, the simplified registration procedure in the declarant’s records for export (EIR) can no longer be applied except in limited cases. EIR allowed operators to carry out the rapid customs clearance of goods for export directly at their own headquarters/warehouse, with minimal involvement of the customs authority, by simply entering the goods in the operational records.

Therefore, the EIR authorizations held by exporters become unusable, economic operators being put in the situation of returning to the normal version of customs clearance. To support exporters holding AEO certification (over 260 Romanian companies), the Romanian customs authority has identified the following solutions: • approval by customs offices of the locations/warehouses that these AEO-authorized exporters own as “authorized places for the presentation of goods.” If the customs office decides to conduct export controls, these can take place directly at these locations; • the customs office will have 60 minutes to decide whether to control the goods. If this period expires without control, customs clearance will be granted automatically. If the computer system selects the goods for control, customs clearance can only be obtained after the control is performed. In addition to the above, it will also be provided for the situation where the export/re-export customs declaration is to be transmitted in the AES system outside the working hours of the customs office, without the presence of customs staff, unless it is selected for control.

In conclusion, the need for AEO certification becomes increasingly important, given that the facilities granted to such operators are constantly improving. An AEO is considered a reliable partner of the customs authority, provided that it meets a number of criteria such as financial solvency, trained personnel, adequate security measures, internal control procedures, proven experience in the customs field, and no debts to the state budget. Therefore, we encourage companies to apply for this certification in time so that they can benefit from the new facilities.