Gebhardt-Stahl is awarded the AEO-C certificate

 We are happy to inform you that on 05.08.2011, our company received the AEO-C certificate by Bielefeld Customs and Excise office (Hauptzollamt Bielefeld). This development establishes GEBHARDT-STAHL GmbH as an ‘Authorised Economic Operator’ and with it GEBHARDT-STAHL GmbH is rated as a particularly trustworthy and reliable supplier in the context of international trade.

The AEO certificate was introduced in 2008 alongside the introduction of the Authorised Economic Operator initiative. In doing so, it is partially modelled on the USA’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). The aim of this initiative is to make the supply chain more transparent and prevent non-transparent business practices. Now, 3 years on since its introduction, the certificate is seen as an important instrument in terms of quality and security.

Wide ranging conditions are attached to the certification procedure. Checks are made with respect to the company’s ability to adhere to the applicable legal / safety regulations, its reliability and last but not least, its creditworthiness. At the same time, before an AEO audit can be carried out by customs officials, a lot of preliminary work has to be concluded. A wide ranging questionnaire checks all the key elements. In completing it, the complete supply chain with all of the involved parties is analysed and checked.

For our customers, the certificate confirms that GEBHARDT-STAHL GmbH is established as a reliable and trustworthy associate in the field of international trade. As well as the documented evidence of increased security, our customers are able to benefit from quicker customs clearance.

Further information about AEO certification can be found on the German Custom and Excise office’s website: Hompage des Zolls.