To further deepen economic and trade cooperation between China and Serbia and improve bilateral customs clearance efficiency, on February 4, 2021, the government of the Peoples Republic of China and the government of the Republic of Serbia signed the Agreement between the Government of the Peoples Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Serbia on Mutual Recognition of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program between the General Administration of Customs of China and the Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia (hereinafter referred to as the Mutual Recognition Agreement).The Mutual Recognition Agreement officially came into effect on October 1, 2023.The relevant matters are hereby announced as follows:

Mutual Recognition of AEO Enterprises

According to the Mutual Recognition Agreement, the customs authorities of China and Serbia mutually recognize each others Authorized Economic Operators (AEO). Serbian Customs will recognize China Customs Advanced Certified Enterprises as mutually recognized AEO enterprises, and correspondingly, China Customs will recognize Serbian Customs Authorized Economic Operators as mutually recognized AEO enterprises.

Customs Clearance Facilitation Measures

In theimport and exportDuring cargo clearance, the customs authorities of both China and Serbia will provide the following customs clearance facilitations to each others AEO enterprises:

Application of a lower document review rate;
Application of a lower inspection rate;
Priority inspection for goods requiring physical examination;
Designated customs liaison officers dedicated to resolving issues encountered by AEO enterprises during customs clearance;
Priority customs clearance for AEO enterprises goods after the resumption of international trade disruptions.

Requirements for Export Goods

When Chinese AEO enterprises export goods to Serbia, they must provide the AEO code (e.g., AEOCN0123456789) to Serbian importers. Serbian Customs will provide relevant customs clearance facilitations after confirming the identity of the Chinese AEO enterprise.

Requirements for Import Goods

When Chinese enterprises import goods from Serbian AEO enterprises, they need to fill in the Serbian AEO enterprise code on relevant documents. The format is: Country code (RS) + AEOF/AEOS + 24-digit enterprise code. After confirming the identity of the Serbian AEO enterprise, China Customs will provide corresponding customs clearance facilitation.

This is hereby announced.

General Administration of Customs of the Peoples Republic of China

August 21, 2023