The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) system represents the highest standard of customs credit management and is an internationally recognized "gold standard" for trade facilitation. As of November 2025, the Beijing Customs zone has certified 286 AEO enterprises, accounting for nearly 50% of the region's foreign trade volume and tax contributions, solidifying their role as a stabilizing force in foreign trade.
AEO, or "Authorized Economic Operator," refers to enterprises engaged in international goods circulation that meet customs standards. These companies enjoy preferential measures such as priority processing, reduced inspection frequency, and optimized services.
"We obtained AEO certification this year, and aligning with its requirements has helped us address management gaps," said Dai Honglei, General Manager of Northern Equipment Co., Ltd. The AEO system has enabled the company to transition from traditional experiential management to standardized and systematic operations. Additionally, AEO status facilitates smoother customs clearance in mutual recognition countries, reduces cross-border trade costs, enhances global supply chain efficiency, and strengthens competitiveness in international markets.
To improve the effectiveness and relevance of the AEO system, Beijing Customs has collaborated with financial institutions to integrate AEO incentives with financial support, creating a tripartite "Customs-Bank-Insurance" service model. "In partnership with Bank of China's Beijing branch, we offer AEO enterprises 18 specialized services across four categories, including financial facilitation and loan support," explained a Beijing Customs official. Certified companies will also benefit from 17 measures, such as increased credit limits and extended insurance coverage, addressing funding bottlenecks in overseas expansion.
"After the joint incentive policy was introduced, we gained access to a bank's expedited cross-border settlement channel," said Zhu Xiaoyong, President of Biolink Supply Chain Management (Beijing) Co., Ltd. This has halved their business processing time, enabled same-day approval for inclusive finance loans, and allowed them to secure unsecured "foreign trade loans" based on AEO status, significantly easing financial pressure.
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