Montecon became the first certified port operator to comply with the standards of safety in foreign trade operations

The company obtained the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) qualification because of its foreign trade operations safety standards.

National Customs director, Enrique Canon, awarded Montecon the certificate of authorized economic operator (AEO), and the company became the first port operator to obtain the qualification. Recognition is given to those companies that comply with the requirements set forth in the regulations in force to protect the country from illegal acts such as smuggling, drug trafficking and terrorism, by helping to maintain the security of the logistics chain.

“The goal of the companies that use and promote these quality and safety standards, is to facilitate international trade under a regime of trust, so that will lead to better opportunities for economic growth and competitiveness for the country and its citizens. This distinction is a recognition of the efforts of all of us and to the leadership and commitment with which Montecon faces each of its challenges,” said María Inés Abreu, administration manager of the company.

The AEO certification was created by the National Customs Authority (NCA) in response to the recommendations established by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to ensure good practices in companies related to the logistics sector. It is obtained through the adoption of the appropriate measures to prevent incidents that may affect the safety of operations of foreign trade.

María José Alfaro, responsible for foreign trade and Customs at Montecon, who led the certification process and is responsible for managing the system, stressed that the pursuit of certification is voluntary. “Companies are not required to have the AEO certification to operate. In our case, we undertake this commitment with the NCA, with the country and with our customers, demonstrating the willingness to offer a top-quality service,” she said.

The procedures followed by Montecon to obtain the AEO recognition of the DNA allow us to ensure the supply chain through the achievement of a cost and time effective transit of goods, which also guarantees the fulfilment of safety and protection standards that allow to fight smuggling, drug trafficking and terrorism. In this way, the AEO certification indicates that the company is a reliable strategic partner for the NCA, which extends to other Customs with which it operates.