In recent years, customs agents in Mexico have shown a lack of concern for the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification.
There are currently 189 customs agents with this certification, an international measure that the Mexican government adopted in the middle of the last decade as part of its commitments to increase security in supply chains and goods transported globally – especially after the attacks of September 11, 2001.
It should be remembered that this certification is not only aimed at customs agents but at other participants in these supply chains, but they have also shown a lack of motivation to obtain it.
The Tax Administration Service (SAT) has almost a thousand of these certifications , including importers and exporters (584), customs agents (189), cargo motor carriers (166), audited premises (13), courier and parcel companies (two) and industrial parks (two).
At the recently held LXXXIV National Congress of Customs Agents , organized by the Confederation of Associations of Customs Agents of the Mexican Republic (CAAAREM) , David Jarillo, central administrator of Certification of International Affairs of Foreign Trade Audit of the SAT, indicated that in the In the last five years, there has been an increase of just 5% in applications for new customs agent certifications.
Just over 800 customs agents operate in Mexico , the majority of which are integrated into the CAAAREM.
Companies that decide to become certified as AEO have to approve at least 11 security standards imposed by the authority, and on many occasions obtaining it has become an expensive and administrative burden for companies, mainly medium and small ones.
At the same time that they obtain the certification, the authority promises companies streamlining customs clearance , among other benefits; although, according to specialists consulted by T21, since the entry of the military or sailors into Mexican customs these benefits have almost disappeared.
“All foreign trade operations handled in Mexico are practically concentrated in 57% of our AEO companies, which is very important because the authority is trusting these companies that have certification and are in constant review and compliance. only in customs matters but also in fiscal matters,” explained David Jarillo.
With the aim of stimulating greater certification of customs agents, this year the tax authority undertook a streamlining of procedures, so that certifications are granted more expeditiously . “Thanks to this measure we have managed to receive 30% more registration procedures compared to last year and we will continue working to increase this volume,” according to the official.
Likewise, he warned customs agents that already have certification to maintain high security standards. “We have estimates, based on recent monitoring, that 29% of (customs) agents who initially complied with all requirements are no longer doing so. However, it is pertinent to make it known that this does not represent the withdrawal of the certification, there are mechanisms to resolve these absences and it can be fulfilled to maintain the certification,” he stated.
