Maruzen Showa, recognized as an operator with security management and legal compliance systems in place, is authorized by the Yokohama Customs Bureau as an Authorized Customs Broker and Authorized Warehouse Operator under the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) system.
With the trend toward more reciprocal authorization internationally under the AEO system, importers and exporters in Japan and abroad can reduce their warehouse costs and risks by delegating us, a company with established cargo security management and legal compliance systems, as their logistics operator.
The AEO System
After the terrorist attacks of September 2001 in the United States, the international community faced the issue of ensuring logistics security to reinforce anti-terrorism measures while at the same time improving efficiency.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) adopted the AEO Guidelines, under which trade-related operators with an excellent compliance record and authorized by Customs authorities are offered the convenience of streamlined Customs procedures.
Under Japan's AEO Guidelines, trade-related operators involved in the supply chain which have established and implemented security management and legal compliance systems are allowed to use rapid, simplified customs procedures.
Efforts are also underway to introduce AEO reciprocal authorization, to ensure safe and smooth logistics on a bilateral basis.
Authorized Customs Broker
On October 10, 2008 Maruzen Showa became the first operator in Japan to be authorized as an Authorized Customs Broker by the Yokohama Customs Bureau under the AEO system adopted from April 2008.
Customs brokers with adequate cargo security management and legal compliance systems in place and authorized under the Authorized Customs Broker system can use convenient Customs procedures, such as the special import declaration system, which allows them to pick up cargo for an importer or exporter retaining the operator as a customs broker before filing a customs duty declaration, or the special export declaration system, which allows brokers to file an export declaration outside of a bonded area.
Authorized Warehouse Operator
On April 7, 2010, Maruzen Showa was also authorized by the Yokohama Customs bureau as an Authorized Warehouse Operator, another AEO system implemented from October 2007.
The Authorized Warehouse Operator status is granted by the head of the Customs bureau to operators with adequate cargo security management and legal compliance systems in place.
With the trend toward more reciprocal authorization internationally under the AEO system, importers and exporters in Japan and abroad can reduce their warehouse costs and risks by delegating us, a company with established cargo security management and legal compliance systems, as their logistics operator.
We offer quality service in bonded and other import- and export-related operations and will continue taking steps to ensure that our security management and compliance systems are fully operative.