In respect of mutual recognition of AEO programmes through agreements between the European Union and
third countries including major trading partners,it is worth noting that the decision between the European
Union and the United States regarding mutual recognition of their “secure traders” programmes, namely the European Union AEO and the United States Customs-Trade Partnership against Terrorism (C–TPAT)programmes, signed on 4 May 2012 (European Union–United States Joint Committee, 2012), was fully implemented as of 31 January 2013.
The final phase of the agreement that this decision represents provides reciprocal benefits to safe traders,
including lower risk score and less examination by customs when shipping cargo (United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), 2013). It should also be noted that the CBP has recently announced that as part of their Trusted Trader
Program, they are planning to join the C-TPAT and Importer Self-Assessment processes. This is intended to enable CBP to provide additional incentives to participating low-risk partners, while benefiting from the added efficiencies of managing supply chain and trade compliance within one partnership programme. A number of participants will serve as pilots, and the implementation of the first phase of the programme is targeted to begin by the end of the fiscal year 2013.