Wang Jingli wangjingli0715@163.com CHINA signed Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) mutual recognition agreements with Burundi and Iceland on Thursday at the 6th World Customs Organization (WCO) Global AEO Conference in Shenzhen. Under the agreements, enterprises with AEO qualifications from the countries can enjoy lower inspection rates, priority inspection, and designated customs liaison services, among other favorable arrangements. The AEO mutual recognition agreement between China and Burundi is now China’s third such pact with an African country, following agreements with Uganda and South Africa, bringing the number of Belt and Road Initiative partner countries with established AEO agreements to 36. China now stands as Iceland’s largest trading partner in Asia. The AEO mutual recognition pact between the two countries will greatly bolster bilateral trade security, according to the General Administration of Customs of China. Up to now, China has signed AEO mutual recognition agreements with 28 economies that cover 54 countries and regions. Snorri Olsen, commissioner of Iceland Revenue and Customs, observed that Iceland and China will have more trade thanks to the AEO mutual recognition agreement. “I am quite sure it will benefit Icelandic companies and hopefully it will also benefit Chinese companies,” said Olsen. Optima Integration Group (OIG), a Shenzhen-based frozen products import service platform with an AEO qualification, imported more than 2,300 tons of aquatic products valued at over 66 million yuan (US$9.13 million) from Iceland last year, up 27% year on year. Aquatic products rely on cold-chain transportation, which makes fast customs clearance very important. According to Yang Binbin, vice president of OIG, the AEO program has been instrumental in facilitating the company’s expansion of imports from countries around the world, including Iceland. AEO mutual recognition allows customs to recognize certified AEO businesses, streamlines customs procedures, and enhances collaboration between customs agencies, businesses, and government departments. The AEO certification serves as a global trade “green pass.” | 