THE Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme is firmly embedded in the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) strategy, which recognises that strong partnerships with business are essential to achieving strategic goals.
Rooted in the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Framework of Standards, the programme promotes trust, transparency and collaboration between customs and business, the cornerstone of enhancing voluntary compliance.
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This was revealed by ERS Commissioner General Brightwell Nkambule during the accreditation ceremony of seven companies, under the AEO programme held at ERS Headquarters in Ezulwini yesterday.
This is an addition to 13 companies that have already received the AEO status from ERS up-to-date.
He said at ERS, they believed that their vision of 100% voluntary compliance for a better Eswatini was achievable and the 24/7 No-Stop Border was within reach.
He narrated that the benefits of the programme set accredited traders apart, expressed lanes and priority processing at border points, reduced inspections and fewer offloads, offering priority treatment whenever inspections were required including choosing the most convenient examination point. Nkambule added direct access to ERS information and dedicated support, ensuring quicker resolution of issues, simplified procedures and lower administrative burdens that reduced compliance costs and enhanced supply-chain security as well as improved competitiveness in regional and global markets.
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In essence, he said the benefits did not lower controls or compromise revenue protection. On the contrary, they strengthened it by enabling ERS to focus its resources on areas of genuine risk while rewarding compliant traders with improved efficiency.
“Today is a reaffirmation of ERS’ commitment to partner with clients who demonstrate a clear commitment to comply. The AEO programme is more than a regulatory tool, but a trust framework and both parties carry obligations: AEOs commit to high standards of compliance, transparency and strong internal controls while ERS commits to recognising this compliance meaningfully. By rewarding compliant behaviour, we strengthen shared responsibility, reduce administrative burdens and reinforce the efficiency and integrity of the entire supply chain,” Nkambule said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg noted that when a business invests in strong systems to ensure compliance, robust internal controls and use secured supply chains, government must respond with trust, facilitation and efficiency.
He said the programme was the practical expression of customs to business partnership as it rewarded companies that met specific customs and supply chain management standards by offering them tangible benefits that improve the speed and cost of doing business.
The minister noted that the programme was implemented across the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) region, supports economic growth by promoting efficient and secure cross-border trade.
In Eswatini, he said it was expanding in both numbers and the diversity of participating industries, reflecting intent to fully use its benefits to cut compliance costs, reduce border dwell times and help local companies compete more effectively in regional and continental markets, in line with SACU trade facilitation goals.
Congratulating the companies, he said by stepping forward and meeting the rigorous requirements of the AEO programme, they signalled that compliance, security and transparency were not tick box exercises, but strategic priorities in operations.
He said they would receive priority treatment when inspections were required, with more flexible inspection arrangements that respect both the business needs and control obligations. He also noted that they would receive a dedicated relationship manager within ERS, ensuring that their issues were resolved quickly and that there is a direct line of engagement on customs matters.
“You are setting the standard for how trade should work in Eswatini. You are also joining a community that is already growing. The Eswatini Revenue Service has accredited 13 companies to date who are already enjoying the benefits of AEO status.
“This is a strong signal that the private sector sees value in a deeper partnership with ERS and that our reforms are moving in the right direction. The benefits you will enjoy under this programme are significant. You will benefit from expedited clearance at our borders, including access to express counters or lanes, which reduces delays and improves the predictability of your supply chains,” he said.
The minister further noted that the AEO accreditation was increasingly recognised as a mark of quality and reliability because it signalled to international partners that your systems are sound, controls are strong and goods can be trusted.
“As government, we are also looking beyond customs. Our ambition is to extend AEO benefits into other parts of the tax system, including exploring faster processing of legitimate tax refunds for AEO companies.
“To businesses that are not yet part of the AEO community, I would like to issue a clear invitation. If your company has cross-border trade as a key operational priority, if you are investing in good governance and compliance, then you should be working towards AEO accreditation. The benefits are practical as they cut waiting times, reduce costs and improve reliability,” added Rijkenberg.
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List of AEO accredited companies
– CONCO Limited
– Seylan Freight
– DHL (Pty) Ltd
– Eswatini Post and Telecommunications
– Grindrod
– Southern Star Logistics
– Lactalis Eswatini
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