The South African RevenueService (Sars) has reported a notable uptick in applications for Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status since the process went online in December.A spokesperson for Sars told Freight News that the online process had enabled a streamlined solution, assisting prospective applicants to submit electronic applications for AEO accreditation.“At the end of December, uptake of AEO accreditation by traders was 35% higher than in the previous year. We foresee even greater numbers of traders joining the programme in 2024,” said the spokesperson. “Our figures indicate a 99% reduction of customs interventions for South African AEO traders, which has facilitated simpler trade operations significantly. “The outcome of this transformative process is a more agile and responsive trade facilitation system that not only prioritises efficiency but also enhances the overall experience for applicants seeking AEO status.”Sars has been streamlining processes for a number of years, introducing technological solutions to improve efficiency.“Digitising the process of AEO accreditation is in line with our strategy to modernise our systems, so they provide more digital and streamlined online services to enable traders to meet their obligations simply, easily and anywhere,” said the spokesperson.The ultimate goal of the revenue service is to eliminate manual-intensive tasks, allowing for improved efficiency, accuracy and enhanced end-to-end management processes.“The imperative to digitise and streamline our processes arises from the realisation that traditional, manual methods of assessing risk and evaluating AEO applications are inherently time-consuming, prone to errors, and often result in delays that hinder the seamless f low of trade,” said the spokesperson.
