AEO for ASEAN now operational

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) under Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio,  announced the “full implementation” of the ‘ASEAN Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AAMRA), effective from February 28, 2025.

In a statement last April 9, the BOC said the operation “marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to enhance trade facilitation, bolster regional cooperation, and align with international standards in the global supply chain.”

The AAMRA, which came into effect on August 1, 2024, initially involved three ASEAN Member States (AMS) – Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and Singapore. It was later extended to Thailand on August 19, 2024, and Indonesia on October 1, 2024.

Under this arrangement, Philippine companies certified under Level 2 of the AEO Program will now benefit from expedited clearance procedures for their exports to these countries.

Similarly, businesses accredited under the AEO Programs of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand will enjoy the same benefits for their goods exported to the Philippines.

Economic Operators participating in the program are provided with unique AEO codes, which must be declared in the export or import declaration submitted to the respective countries’ Customs administration.

Notably, the business partners in these countries do not need to be AEO accredited to avail of these benefits.

While the AAMRA is already fully operational in these ASEAN countries, other members– Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam – are expected to implement the arrangement at a later date.

The BOC said the AAMRA also aligns with the aim of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to boost regional and global cooperation thru a more open trade environment.

“The Philippines’ commitment to facilitating smooth trade relations is a key aspect of the BOC’s 2025 Five-Point Priority Program, which aims to streamline customs procedures and enhance secure trade through the implementation of the AEO Program,” said Commissioner Rubio in a brief statement.

The full implementation of the AAMRA underscores the Philippines’ dedication to strengthening regional trade relationships and improving the ease of doing business in the country.

Commissioner Rubio added: “The BOC will continue to focus on modernizing and improving the efficiency of the country’s customs operations, ensuring the Philippines remains competitive in the global marketplace.”