Japan - EU agreed AEO Mutual Recognition

On June 24, 2010, Ministry of Finance ("MOF") in Japan announced that Japan and EU signed the Decision establishing mutual recognition of AEO between the EU and Japan.
This mutual recognition offers enhanced trade facilitation opportunities provided by customs to certified AEO traders in both sides who have invested in securing their supply chains.

This mutual recognition with EU is 3rd one for Japan, following with New Zealand (signed on May 2008) and with U.S. (signed on June 2009). EU have had mutual recognition with Switzerland and Norway only. Japan is their first AEO mutual recognition country other than Europe area.

The main contents of this agreement is as follows.

1. Both Japan and EU customs authority will reflect the risk analysis of the status of AEO traders in customs examination or inspection when the goods are exported or imported by AEO traders in other side.
2. Both parties will respect the status of AEO traders in other side in application of variety of security operation.
3. Both parties will make effort to develop common system how priorities cargoes are handled in emergency.
4. Both parties will continue discussion of further benefit of mutual recognition.

(Resource Japan : http://www.mof.go.jp/jouhou/kanzei/ka220624.htm )

(Resource EU : http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/common/legislation/proposals/customs/com(2010)055fin_en.pdf )

In addition, according to Nikkei Newspaper on June 25, AEO mutual recognition with Canada is also in progress. The good news with Canada is expected to be announced within this month.