New AEO status for Express Trailers brings more competitiveness to customers

Express Trailers is the first Maltese logistics company to be granted the European-Wide Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Authorization by the Customs Department. This is the first time this authorization has been given since the implementation by Malta’s Customs of the European-wide Union Customs Code.

Congratulating Express Trailers for this achievement, Joseph Chetcuti, Director General at the Customs Department said, “The fact that Express Trailers has been awarded this authorization is in itself a demonstration of the highlevel of standard in the services offered by the company. This new status of AEO for Express Trailers brings with it a number of benefits to its clients in terms of its operations, which can add to the competitiveness of the company both at a local level and also in terms of its international operations.”

The AEO authorization is granted to operators in the international supply chain, namely manufacturers, importers, exporters, customs brokers, carriers, ports and terminal operators who have achieved a high-level of standards in safety, security and compliance with customs regulations required by the EU regulations. The AEO programme therefore enhances security through recognition given to reliable operators and through encouraging best practice at all levels in the international supply chain.

Johann Vella, Director at Express Trailers, who spearheaded the process leading up to this authorization, explained how this recognition reinforces Express Trailers’ status as a secure, reliable and safe business partner.

“To achieve this status, our company underwent a rigorous evaluation process of its customs compliance, its accounting and logistics record keeping, its proven financial solvency and adequate security and safety standards.”

Express Trailer’s Chairman and CEO Franco Azzopardi outlined how this authorization is important on two counts.

“First is the fact that we, as a company, always strive to excel in terms of standards offered to our clients, because we are an intrinsic part of their business success. Secondly, the authorization is also a collective achievement and commitment by the entire team within the organization, a team which is obsessively committed to deliver and meet our customers’ needs. Ultimately, thanks to this authorization, our company now has another worldwide recognition as a safe, secure and compliant business partner in international trade, which resonates with our corporate tagline – Delivering Trust!.”

The AEO was developed to enhance international supply chain security and to facilitate legitimate trade. Operators established in the EU that meet specific qualifying criteria, can apply for and receive AEO certification. Certified companies will be recognized across all member states and, depending on the authorizations they obtain, AEO status entitles them access to simplified customs procedures and other helpful trade facilitation services in customs control and security.