Customs Conducts Onsite Audit, Validation for AEO Pilot Companies

Customs Conducts Onsite Audit, Validation for AEO Pilot Companies

In line with President Bola Tinubu’s Trade policy initiatives to secure national economic interests and ease the cost of doing business in Nigeria, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, is unwavering in his commitment to streamline clearance processes and facilitate legitimate trade across Nigeria’s borders. One of these strategies is to enhance the International Supply Chain by conceptualising and implementing the Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) program in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

In May & June 2024, the NCS AEO Technical Working Group led by CSC Nnenna Ugo Awa conducted mandatory pre-qualification audits & validations ( desk and on-site) of the companies selected for the pilot phase of the AEO program.

These are critical components of the process for a business seeking AEO status. The audits & validations are stringent procedures to evaluate whether a company meets the compliance & supply chain security requirements to be considered a secure and trusted partner in the international supply chain.

It may interest you to note that the AEO team comprises representatives from Post Clearance Audit (PCA), Risk Management (RM), Human Resources (HR), Public Relations (PR), Enforcement and the Legal Unit of Nigeria Customs Service.

This team of officers carried out AEO on-site audit visits to six notable companies which are in the pilot phase of the program, namely:
First Class Refreshment, Le-Look Nigeria Limited, 11 PLC, Huawei Technologies Ltd, Friesland Campina WAMCO, and Ideal Royal Crown Logistics.

Based on the audit findings, the business will either achieve AEO status or receive improvement recommendations. If deficiencies are noted, the business entity will be subjected to the NCS Compliance Improvement Program to plug recognised gaps & undergo a follow-up audit.

Achieving the AEO status can result in various benefits that will boost Customs revenue by reducing import turnaround time and easing business costs for qualified companies. Also, eased-out costs will include financial, time, and psychological costs.

These audits & validation processes underscore the importance of the AEO program in promoting secure, compliant, and efficient trade practices by ensuring that companies meet the stringent requirements for facilitating legitimate trade while safeguarding the nation’s economic interests.

The successful completion of these validations demonstrates the NCS’s dedication to maintaining high standards and its ongoing efforts to support businesses in achieving AEO certification.

For more information on the AEO program, please visit our website at https://aeo.nigeriatradehub.gov.ng/landing/ or send an e-mail to aeo@customs.gov.ng