APEC Customs Time Release Comparison Study – Case Study of AEO MRAs between APEC Member Economies

This report aims to promote a better understanding of the benefits of Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) certification and Mutual Recognition Agreements/Arrangements (MRAs). By using case studies of AEO MRAs between APEC member economies, the project intends to demonstrate whether and how AEO MRAs can reduce customs clearance times for AEOs. Four member economies – Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea and New Zealand – participated and provided AEO MRA time release cases.  The study finds that for most of the submitted cases, customs release times were effectively reduced for imports of both sea and air cargoes after the participating member economies implemented the relevant AEO MRAs. The percentage change or improvement ranged from less than 30 percent to around 80 percent to even complete reduction of customs release time. The facilitated results also represent the significant benefits of AEO MRAs in reduced inspections and custom clearance times.