A pilot-project to recognize the Authorized Economic Operators of the EU (AEO) is being implemented at the Leuseni customs post until the end of this year. Vasile Spac, senior inspector at the customs post, in a program on Radio Moldova station said the companies that possess AEO certificates benefit from a facilitated border crossing regime and go through a special lane, being exempted from a number of customs control forms, IPN reports.

The project is implemented by the Customs Service of Moldova in cooperation with the National Customs Authority of Romania. The objective is to simplify the border crossing procedure for economic entities not only from Romania, but also from any other EU member state that use AEO certificates.

“At the next stage, we will work to obtain the reciprocal recognition of the AEOs in Moldova and the EU. This objective is stipulated in the Association Agreement,” said Corneliu Croitoru, head of the Customs Service’s Customs Control Organization Division.

In Moldova, the status of Authorized Economic Operator has been so far obtained by 89 companies. These are subject to a reduced number of inspections, benefit from the simplified clearance procedure at the domicile (without presenting the goods and accompanying documents at the customs post) and are given priority when crossing the border.