The 6th WCO Global AEO Conference kicked off March 8 at the Futian Convention and Exhibition Center in Shenzhen and is scheduled to run for three days.

This summit on the AEO (authorized economic operator) system stands as highest-level global conference in this field. Inaugurated in 2012, this year marks the conference's debut in China.

Under the theme "Harnessing the Power of AEO Programs for Inclusive and Sustainable Global Trade," the event features an opening ceremony, eight plenary sessions, and six streams.

More than 1,200 attendees from more than 100 countries and territories have convened at the conference.

The AEO concept is based on the Customs-to-Business partnership introduced by the WCO. Enterprises accredited with AEO certification are expected to enhance their global competitiveness, benefiting from streamlined clearance processes in international logistics.

Advocated by the Brussels-based World Customs Organization, which represents 184 customs administrations across the globe that collectively process about 98% of world trade, the AEO program is designed to strengthen international supply chain security and facilitate the movement of legitimate goods.

The program aims to provide customs certifications to firms with high-level compliance, credit status, and safety, as well as provide eligible firms with customs clearance measures in their own countries and mutually recognized countries.

Companies with AEO status will enjoy simplified customs procedures, such as reduced examination and prioritized clearance, which will significantly shorten customs clearance time and reduce storage and logistics costs.

China has signed AEO agreements with customs authorities in 52 countries and regions, including Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, South Korea, Japan, and Brazil, to enable easier customs clearance for companies by the end of 2023.