Transport safety
The Directorate of Customs also has the responsibility of enforcing various measures relating to security and public interest, particularly ensuring safe transport of goods and uncleared goods, as well as the transfer of information in a safe electronic environment.
The Directorate of Customs administers these duties in a way that is suitable for the needs of the economic life and, at the same time, ensures the necessary security of transport and handling of uncleared goods.
Cargo Security relates to the preventive measures taken to secure cargo against all kinds of terrorism and other illegal actions.
According to definition, a customs broker is authorized to act before the customs authorities on behalf of importers and exporters.
The operation of customs brokers is subject to a license. The conditions for a customs broker getting an operating license are bound by law. The conditions board members of a customs brokers association and a day-to-day director have to fulfill are extensive, e.g. they must have good repute, reside in Iceland or another member state of the EEA and may not have been convicted of breaking customs laws.
The service a customs broker provides can be everything from counsel on simple issues regarding the filing of a customs declaration to acting before the customs authorities on behalf of an importer or exporter in filing customs declarations and paying import charges.
A customs port is a place, a seaport or an airport, where vessels may be loaded or unloaded and goods may be stored and cleared through customs without a special permission from the customs authorities.
- In a customs port there shall be adequate facilities for loading and unloading vessels.
- In a customs port there shall be adequate facilities for customs control.
- In a customs port there shall be adequate warehouses, storage areas and other facilities for storing uncleared goods.
The Directorate of Customs grants licenses to operate facilities for storage of uncleared goods. Storage of uncleared goods is authorized in the following facilities: Clearance warehouses of transporters and licensed customs brokers, bonded warehouses, warehouses for duty free supplies, duty free shops and warehouses for their duty free stock, free zones and transit warehouses.
The main purpose of electronic customs clearance is to ensure that trade in goods between Iceland and other countries comes along smoothly, but, at the same time, laws and regulations on trading must be enforced so that illegal goods are not imported to the country.
Cargo Security
On July 1st 2004 new legislation no. 50/2004 on maritime security took effect in Iceland. According to the law the customs authorities handle cargo security, which involves making preventive measures to protect cargo from any kind of terrorism or other illegal activity.
In accordance with the laws the Directorate of Customs issued Cargo Security Rules number 141/2010.
AEO, Authorised Economic Operator
Authorised Economic Operator, AEO, is an authorisation designed to increase the security in the world as well as to harmonise the customs related operations within the EU and make them more efficient.
Every business, regardless of size, forming part of the international supply chain can apply to become an AEO. This applies to manufacturers, exporters, freight forwarders, warehouse keepers, customs agents, carriers and importers.
The AEO status serves as a mark of good quality and security for you and your business partners. It also gives you access to certain simplifications, which in turn will make your goods flows faster and more secure.
The benefits of having AEO status are for example:
- lower risk that your flow of goods into and out of the EU will be stopped for examination
- possibility to request a specific place for customs checks
- easier access to authorizations and permits
- the AEO status signals that your business takes responsibility for the protection of both goods flows and society, and it strengthens your trademark at the same time.
AEO is not mandatory. You can apply for AEO status if you are an economic operator established in the EU and are:
- part of the international supply chain
- involved in customs activities.
When you choose to apply for an AEO authorisation, you should first carry out a quality assessment of your procedures in accordance with the self-assessment questionnaire. To become certified with us is free of charge. You quality assess all your customs and safety procedures by making sure that they are well documented. The procedures should also be well known within your company. We issue your authorisation after having audited and accepted your business activities and your procedures.
When you consider the documentation of your procedures to be complete, you send the application and the additional annex to us.
- Complete a self-assessment questionnaire
- Complete an application for AEO certificate
The Icelandic customs staff will carry out the evaluation. The evaluation will always involve a visit to the premises covered by the application.
