Seagate Achieves European Union’s Authorised Economic Operator Status

Seagate Technology has become one of the first companies – and the first hard drive company – to be certified as an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) in the European Union (EU). This status means that customs authorities across the EU’s 27 member states will accept Seagate as a reliable and compliant operator and, as a result, the company will be able to benefit not only from simplifications provided for under the customs rules but also from facilitations with regard to customs controls relating to safety and security. AEO status will also give Seagate’s consignments priority at customs checks in the US and Asia. Seagate has achieved the most comprehensive level of certification; Full AEO or AEOF.

“We are delighted to be among the first companies to be certified as an AEO,” said David Blum, senior international trade manager EMEA, Seagate. “Certification is an endorsement of the quality of our supply chain systems, controls and integrity. It should allow us to have easier passage of our goods both into and within the EU, and to better serve our customers. As we move forward, we believe that AEO status will become a competitive requirement as certified companies will favour doing business with other certified operators.”

The AEO regime is part of a series of measures introduced by the EU to tighten security around goods crossing international borders. The measures have been designed to deliver faster and better-targeted border checks with results that provide benefits for customs authorities, the public and for industry.