Road freight transporters can benefit significantly from becoming Authorised Economic Operators (AEO), according to Louise Wiggett, founder and managing director of Global Trade Solution."It is an internationally recognised quality mark indicating that your role within the international supply chain is secure, and your procedures and customs controls are compliant and efficient," she explained during her presentation at the Road Freight Association (RFA) conference.Wiggett further elaborated that AEO accreditation through the South African Revenue Service immediately designated a company as a reliable trade partner, facilitating faster access to customs procedures. "Part of the programme includes a dedicated fast lane at border posts for clearing goods, which significantly reduces delays and trade costs."It also eliminates manual processes, allows for electronic submissions and provides automated notifications sent directly to operators.According to Wiggett, it is important to encourage as many stakeholders in the supply chain to join the programme, particularly if African countries want to increase trade with each other.“It is imperative that we move forward and not delay the process any longer. One of the greatest advantages of the AEO programme is that it enhances trade facilitation and improves security.”Citing the example of a company in Eswatini, she highlighted significant benefits for a transporter that moves 200 trucks daily across borders. “They handle a large volume and any delay at a border post can have a major impact on their operations. Becoming AEO accredited has brought substantial benefits: they are expediting import and export clearances and they have noticed a significant increase in truck turnaround times.”She said the transporter now receives VIP status when crossing the border between South Africa and Eswatini, with minimal or no physical inspection of cargo. “They no longer experience long waiting times, significantly reducing costs at the border post. Moreover, their customers report receiving more on-time deliveries, leading to a noticeably improved overall experience.”She said that inspections at the border were previously dreaded experiences that could take hours. Now, the AEO-accredited transporters work as partners with the revenue services in both South Africa and Eswatini, and if cargo needs inspection, it is a much quicker and more pleasant experience.“The benefit of being given priority and clearing goods faster directly impacts truck turnaround times,” said Wiggett. “Another significant benefit is the increased transparency in dealings with customs authorities. The trust-based relationship forged through AEO accreditation ensures that any delays or issues at the border post are resolved much more promptly than before.”According to Wiggett, achieving accreditation in the programme can take as little as seven days, depending on the level of compliance and having the correct documentation ready.
