The implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on expanding the capabilities of the Authorized Economic Operator system between the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China was discussed during the working visit of Turkmen customs officials to Shenzhen, China.

During the visit, our specialists had a meeting with Mr. Zhu Fang, Deputy Director General of the Department of Enterprise Management and Audit-Based Control of the General Administration of Customs of China, and a group of specialists on the Authorized Economic Operator system. Customs officials of Shenzhen, Qingdao and Shenyang cities also shared their experience in implementing relevant programs. The Turkmenistan delegation also visited the Training Center for AEO professional development on the basis of Shenzhen Customs.

It is worth mentioning that the Memorandum of Understanding on expanding the capabilities of the Authorized Economic Operator system between the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China was signed in October of last year. The concept of Authorized Economic Operators was developed within the SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade of the World Customs Organization.

The interaction with customs authorities is primarily based on electronic data exchange technology. The state provides privileged position to individuals who have been granted the status of Authorized Economic Operators, establishing them with a number of customs benefits compared to the general customs clearance procedures. Some of these advantages include: release of goods prior to submitting a customs declaration or release upon the request of AEO, as well as temporary storage of goods at the warehouse of the Authorized Economic Operator.