Nottingham, UK-headquartered forwarder Baxter Freight has been granted Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
The cargo agent’s international freight and customs manager Brendan Pickering explained the background to the award.
“The entire Baxter Freight team has been working hard on achieving AEO status for the past 12 months,” he said.
“It is a fantastic milestone for the business and one that we’re extremely proud of.
“We’ve passed rigorous checks on our internal systems and processes, meaning our customs controls and supply chain security procedures have been judged to be highly efficient, compliant and meet EU and international best practice.”
Moreover: “For our customers, it distinguishes us as a reliable, trusted trading partner and means that their consignments will be safer, more secure and less likely to face delays.
“As a multimodal logistics firm that works with a network of long-term partners, preferred suppliers and the wider freight market to ensure we select the most suitable products at a competitive price, this is also a message to other AEO-accredited firms that we’re ready to do business with them.”
According to Pickering, AEO certification is welcome news for all the company’s departments, and not just those that deal directly with customs and trade.
British forwarders are currently having to deal with the uncertainty surrounding Brexit.
However: “Regardless of Brexit, [having AEO status] ensures the goods we’re shipping for our customers are moved compliantly in a safe and secure environment across international borders,” he noted.
“Having said that, in the event of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit scenario or from whenever the UK effectively leaves the EU’s Customs Union, AEO will be extremely beneficial as preferential treatment from UK and overseas customs authorities will help to keep cargo moving as smoothly as possible.”
Plus: “It will also reduce the need for financial guarantees, lowering our transaction costs,” he stressed.
