Neill & Brown on fast track with new customs accreditation

Published March 14, 2013

Hessle-based Neill & Brown Global Logistics is ensuring its customers receive the quickest international transit of goods, after being awarded full authorised economic operator status.

The AEOF recognition for businesses involved in the international supply chain means Neill & Brown’s customers’ consignments are fast-tracked through customs controls, receiving priority over non-AEO companies.

Neill & Brown received the full authorisation after an examination and audit by HM Revenue & Customs which proved the company to be trustworthy, safe, secure, financially solvent, compliant with customs requirements and able to demonstrate satisfactory management systems.

There are three levels of AEO: security and safety (AEOS); customs simplifications (AEOC) and AEOF – the full certificate which HMRC advises companies to apply for.

Peter Brown, managing director at Neill & Brown, said: “This achievement is official recognition of our controlled systems and procedures, of our financial stability, and is generally the accepted measure of a trusted partner in logistics.

“It is not only an accepted international measure of enhanced security for our clients’ goods, but a guaranteed ticket to fast-track movements across many international frontiers.”

The accreditation will bring further efficiency benefits to Neill & Brown’s customers ahead of modernisation of the EU’s customs code, which is expected this June.

Any business having an AEOF will benefit by not having to apply for a number of customs guarantees or authorisations, speeding up goods and vehicle movements.

For example, those companies without an AEOF who require a customs special procedure, such as inward processing or customs warehousing, will be required to have a guarantee in place. Holders of an AEOF are waived this requirement.

The non-mandatory AEOF accreditation is applicable to any UK business involved in activities covered by customs legislation and forming part of an international supply chain. This includes logistics operators, carriers, freight forwarders, customs agents, importers and exporters.

AEOF accreditation is the latest sign of Neill & Brown’s commitment to delivering work of the highest quality.

The company holds the British Standard BS-EN-ISO-9001:2008 certification, and it is safety & quality assessment system (SQAS) and dangerous goods safety advisers (DGSA) compliant.

The company is a member of the Chemical Business Association (CBA), Road Haulage Association (RHA), British International Freight Association (BIFA), United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) and the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC).

For further media information, please contact Catherine Ackroyd or Julian Woodford at Mapa Public Relations on 01482 589900, 07739 139056, catherine@mapa.org.uk julian@mapa.org.uk