Unitrans Freight Forwarding & Clearing is an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)
As an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), Unitrans Freight Forwarding and Clearing (UFFC) conducts international trade and facilitates logistics, and maintains the highest levels of global trade quality standards. From facilitating cross-border logistics to ensuring every compliance measure is met, UFFC stands tall with AEO accreditation.
Authorised Economic Operator accreditation
The Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) accreditation programme was implemented by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) as a measure to improve global trade security and facilitate legitimate trade. Unitrans Freight Forwarding and Clearing (UFFC) recently obtained a Level 1 AEO accreditation. With more than two decades of experience in international forwarding, Unitrans Freight Forwarding and Clearing partner with reputable agents and carriers to manage the movement of our customers’ valuable cargo to and from international destinations. The process of achieving Level 1 AEO accreditation is rigorous, and keenly focused on ensuring optimal quality standards are maintained throughout the global supply chain process. UFFC’s Level 1 AEO accreditation was granted through the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
UFFC is Level 1 AEO certified
Our AEO accreditation assures our diverse customer portfolio that they’re working with a supply chain partner that meets the highest compliance standards. This assures customers of a supply chain partner that adheres to the highest compliance and security standards, a crucial aspect of global trade.
The Authorised Economic Operator accreditation programme is linked to the Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE). SAFE was developed in alignment with these key principles:
- To enable the advance delivery of electronic cargo information.
- To ensure that each country and region follows a consistent, effective risk management approach.
- To facilitate and ensure outbound cargo inspections take place for high-risk cargo shipments, if requested by the destination country’s authorities.
How UFFC became Level 1 AEO accredited
Achieving Level 1 AEO accreditation is no easy feat, and very few logistics companies achieve this accreditation. As a compliance measure that ensures the highest standards are met at every turn throughout the supply chain and logistics process, our AEO accreditation will enable UFFC to apply for Level 2 AEO accreditation next. Our continuing commitment towards ensuring the easy facilitation of cargo delivery, along with adhering to the highest compliance standards continues. The Level 1 AEO accreditation process included a meticulous assessment of all daily interactions and financial transactions with the Department of Customs and Excise. Furthermore, a full audit was undertaken to assess UFFC’s financial viability and accounting. The accreditation process did not, however, stop there. The AEO accreditation process also included a thorough investigation and verification of our systems, record keeping, client correspondence, and all customs documentation, used throughout UFFC’s operations.
What AEO accreditation means for our customers
As an Authorised Economic Operator, our customers directly benefit from UFFC’s Level 1 AEO accreditation. While this accreditation cannot be passed on to our customers, it does provide an extra layer of certainty and assurance that the processes employed by UFFC are sound and meet the highest security standards. Through UFFC’s Level 1 AEO accreditation, our customers benefit through:
- Information integrity: Superior documentation standards and data accuracy are ensured throughout the logistics process.
- Absolute assurance: Our demonstrable compliance history, backed by our AEO Level 1 accreditation, means our customers don’t have any compliance concerns.
- Accelerated clearance times: Thanks to our AEO Level 1 accreditation, the customs process is accelerated, with our customers’ shipments moved through as priority, and are subject to fewer inspections. Faster processing and clearance mean our customers are assured their cargo reaches the right destination, at the right time.
- Innovative technologies to oversee their logistics facilitation: Using top-notch technologies, we provide reliable solutions that ensure expediency and efficiency for all shipments.
- Improved risk management: Adhering to the highest security standards, our customers’ cargo is always secured and protected with enhanced compliance measures associated with customs regulations and merchandise safety.
- Simplified customs processes: We ensure our customers benefit through enhanced relationships with customs officials, high level communication between supply chain partners and exceptional relationship management processes.
Unitrans’ commitment towards ensuring exceptional compliance throughout the global supply chain process is recognised through UFFC’s Level 1 AEO accreditation. UFFC is a trusted, recognised and accredited partner across the global trade sector.
Photo by Tom Fisk
