As of the end of November, Hebei Province had 220 AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) enterprises, representing 0.2% of the province's total import-export businesses and 2.9% of China's AEO enterprises. Xu Jie, Deputy Director of Shijiazhuang Customs, reported that from January to November this year, these AEO enterprises achieved import-export trade worth 175.26 billion yuan, contributing 28.8% of the province's total import-export value despite comprising only 1% of businesses with actual trade performance. This highlights their leading role in Hebei's foreign trade.
AEO status, the highest customs credit classification, grants certified enterprises preferential measures and streamlined procedures. Shijiazhuang Customs has actively promoted high-quality development of AEO enterprises in Hebei, enhancing joint incentives and supporting the province's high-level opening-up strategy.
To strengthen AEO cultivation and certification, customs authorities have targeted enterprises in key sectors such as advanced productivity and specialized "little giant" firms with high import-export reliance, providing tailored policy guidance and on-site support. This year, 31 new enterprises obtained AEO certification in Hebei.
To maximize benefits for enterprises, customs accelerated the implementation of AEO facilitation measures, conducting policy briefings to help businesses understand and apply these advantages. Streamlined services include priority inspection of goods and same-day approval for low-risk special items, achieved through optimized procedures and management rules. Shijiazhuang Customs introduced three innovative AEO facilitation measures this year.
Notably, customs deepened public-private collaboration by establishing enterprise liaison mechanisms, assigning coordinators, and guiding firms to register on the "China Customs Credit Management" WeChat platform for prompt resolution of operational challenges.
Cross-departmental joint incentives marked another milestone. Shijiazhuang Customs partnered with provincial departments including Commerce to roll out ten measures—later upgraded—supporting high-quality AEO enterprise development, creating an incentive system combining customs clearance便利, financial support, and administrative services to expand AEO benefits.
Financial empowerment further boosted enterprises. Collaborating with Hebei's financial regulator, customs enhanced financial support for AEO firms, addressing funding challenges. This year, joint incentives were launched with Bank of China Hebei and Agricultural Bank of China Hebei to improve financial services. Partnerships with institutions like Bank of Communications Hebei provided AEO enterprises with specialized benefits in account opening, remittance, and forex, along with efficient cross-border settlements and export credit insurance financing without collateral.
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