For more than two years, Expedited Specialized Logistics (ESL) has been moving step by step toward a goal: obtaining AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) accreditation .
It was a task that included audits, observations by the Tax Administration Service (SAT) , meetings between areas, compliance processes, and a constant effort to align the entire operation with the security and traceability standards required by international trade .
The result arrived this year and not only represents a technical validation , but also a strategic tool for the company’s growth.
“It was a long and complex process. From the moment we started until we obtained accreditation, it took two years,” Ángel Hernández , general director of STI México and ESL, explained to T21.
Although it was born as part of STI , a firm initially specialized in maritime and air logistics services , ESL has grown to establish itself as an operator with its own identity , Hernández commented.
In recent years, the company has added ground freight operations , including fifth-wheel units , and has its own customer base.
In that context, having OAS accreditation was more than a goal: it was an operational necessity .
“Many of our clients move merchandise to ports or abroad. For them, security in the logistics chain is a priority,” Hernández noted.
The AEO accreditation guarantees that the company complies with the legal and fiscal requirements imposed by the Mexican Customs Authority (SAT); it also facilitates benefits such as the use of FAST lanes (fast lanes in customs for reliable companies), recognition by other international customs authorities , and better opportunities with large corporations , he explained.
But the journey doesn’t end there. “This accreditation is an important step toward obtaining CTPAT (Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) certification ,” Ángel Hernández said.
With that goal in mind, ESL is seeking to further strengthen its position as a reliable operator with U.S. authorities , aiming to consolidate itself as a fast-paced company with international standards , the executive emphasized.
Looking ahead to the second half of 2025, ESL will focus on accelerating its growth , especially in its specialized cargo and dry van divisions , he explained.
Despite belonging to the STI Group, the company “maintains a conscious effort to operate with its own standards and ensure regulatory compliance , without compromising the reputation of the group to which it belongs,” Hernández emphasized.
The learning process has been cross-cutting. Everyone from the quality department to the traffic department was part of the process.
The accreditation was made possible “thanks to the coordinated work of a specialized security and compliance team , which was responsible for aligning all operational areas (from quality to traffic and dispatch) to ensure that internal processes met the requirements demanded by the authority,” according to Hernández.
Today, with OAS accreditation in hand, ESL is better positioned compared to its competitors , seeking secure, traceable logistics that are prepared for the new challenges of international trade , he emphasized.
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