Baku, 21-23 October 2014

At the invitation of the Azerbaijan State Customs Committee, the WCO Secretariat conducted a workshop on the implementation of AEO programme in Azerbaijan with the support of a WCO accredited expert from the EU. The event was funded by the Asian Development Bank and was held in Baku from 21 to 23 October 2014. About 30 mid-management Customs officers benefited from detailed and practical information on the concepts, conditions and requirements for the establishment of an AEO programme as described in the SAFE FoS and based on the implementation experiences of the EU.

Azerbaijan has established the national legal basis for an AEO programme since August 2013. The workshop consisted of presentations and breakout group discussions. The interactive format enabled participants to identify possible gaps between the SAFE AEO provisions and their own national legislation. Based on these findings, recommendations were formulated to even further improve the implementation of AEO requirements, provide benefits, conduct audits and establish a post authorization process to include the monitoring and renewal of AEO status awarded, and other legal considerations like suspension and revocation of AEO status, and the right of appeal for AEO applications.