DGFT, Customs and Export Compliance Support Across India
AEO Certification Services for Importers and Exporters in India
Become a trusted name in global trade. We help with AEO-T1, AEO-T2, AEO-T3 and AEO-LO certification.
Dwarkadhish Overseas checks if you qualify. We look for gaps in your compliance. We also prepare your
papers, process maps, site plans, SOPs and security controls. Then we file your application. We reply to
queries. We also get you ready for the site visit.
Eligibility
Who Can Apply for AEO Certification?
Businesses in the global supply chain may apply. They must handle Customs work in India. Both
exporters and importers can apply if they meet the rules.
Eligible categories can include:
Exporters
Importers
Manufacturer exporters
Merchant exporters
Logistics service providers
Freight forwarders
Carriers and airlines
Custodians
Terminal operators
Customs Brokers
Warehouse operators
Port operators
Authorised couriers
Other eligible supply-chain participants
Businesses that do not handle Customs work rarely qualify. This is true even if they offer finance, insurance or advice to traders.
What Is AEO Certification?
AEO stands for Authorised Economic Operator.
The Indian AEO Programme is a voluntary scheme. It covers Customs compliance and supply chain security. CBIC runs it. CBIC is the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.
It suits businesses that move goods across borders. These businesses must show good Customs compliance. They need sound internal controls and financial stability. Higher tiers also need strong supply chain safety and security.
The programme follows the World Customs Organization’s SAFE Framework. Compliant businesses get faster Customs clearance. Their steps are simpler too. They also earn trusted trader status.
Is AEO Certification Mandatory?
No. AEO certification is voluntary.
Eligible traders and logistics businesses can apply.
Customs issues the certificate to the legal entity that applies. It does not cover other companies in the same group. Your application must cover every activity and site in your supply chain.
Types
Types of AEO Certification
Indian Customs offers three AEO tiers for importers and exporters:
AEO-T1
AEO-T2
AEO-T3
AEO-LO is a separate category. It suits eligible logistics operators and other supply chain businesses. These businesses do not apply as importers or exporters.
- Category
- Suitable for
- Verification level
- AEO-T1
- Importers and exporters
- Mostly document and compliance review
- AEO-T2
- Importers and exporters
- Full documents plus a physical check
- AEO-T3
- Qualifying AEO-T2 importers and exporters
- Highest tier; based on T2 status and set conditions
- AEO-LO
- Logistics and related operators
- Documents, a safety and security review and a physical check
AEO-T1 Certification
AEO-T1 is the entry level tier for eligible traders.
Customs checks the applicant on:
- General compliance
- Legal compliance
- Commercial-record management
- Financial health
- Customs-related steps
- Internal controls
- Error spotting and fixes
T1 skips the full safety and security review. Circular 26/2018 made the T1 process simpler. It replaced the old annexures with just two: Annexure 1 and Annexure 2.
AEO-T2 Certification
AEO-T2 suits eligible traders. They must meet the general, legal, record and financial rules. They must also meet the safety and security standards.
Unlike T1, T2 includes a physical check at your business site. The AEO Programme Team checks the facts and controls you submit.
AEO-T3 Certification
AEO-T3 is the highest tier for traders.
You can qualify in two ways. First, you may have held AEO-T2 status for at least two years in a row.
Second, you may hold AEO-T2 status now. In that case, your key supply chain partners must also hold AEO-T2, AEO-LO or an equal foreign AEO status.
Customs may still check the site in person. This can happen after major changes to operations, processes or sites.
AEO-LO Certification
AEO-LO suits eligible operators other than importers and exporters.
These can include:
- Logistics service providers
- Custodians
- Terminal operators
- Customs Brokers
- Warehouse operators
- Other qualifying supply-chain operators
These applications need papers, a security check of your supply chain and a physical check. Benefits vary by business type.
Examples of AEO-LO benefits
- Bank-guarantee waivers
- Running-bond facilities
- Reduced case-by-case permissions
- Longer custodian approvals
- Customs Broker licence-related benefits
- Faster warehouse approval
- Waiver of set financial or security rules
These benefits remain subject to the applicable regulations and category-specific conditions.
Which AEO Tier Should You Apply For?
Apply for AEO-T1 when:
- You are an importer or exporter.
- You are applying for the first time.
- Your immediate objective is trusted-trader recognition.
- Your compliance records and financial documents are ready.
- You are not yet set up for a detailed physical security audit.
Consider AEO-T2 when:
- You want faster Customs benefits.
- Your security systems and steps are documented.
- Your site is ready for a physical check.
- Your business can show strong cargo, staff and IT controls.
- You are ready to keep up detailed security SOPs.
Consider AEO-T3 when:
- You already hold AEO-T2.
- You meet the set T3 time period or partner condition.
- Your compliance and security systems stay mature and stable.
Apply for AEO-LO when:
- You are a logistics or supply-chain operator, rather than an importer or exporter.
Registration Service
Basic AEO Eligibility Criteria
A standard non-MSME business should usually meet these basic conditions:
Customs-related activity
You must take part in the global supply chain. That includes handling Customs work in India.
Legal entity
The legal entity itself should apply. Its application should cover its supply chain work and sites.
Established in India
The business should be set up in India and keep its own business records.
Business history
You need at least three financial years of business activity before you apply. That is the standard rule. A new business may still get a special review. This depends on how strong its internal controls are.
Minimum transaction volume
The standard threshold is at least 25 Bills of Entry or Shipping Bills in the year before you apply.
Legal compliance
Customs checks your legal and Customs compliance record. This covers serious show-cause notices and the risk of prosecution. It also covers how well you spot and fix errors.
Record-management systems
Keep reliable accounts, Customs, trade and transport records. You also need sound internal and IT controls.
Financial solvency
Show that your business is financially sound. You must not be facing insolvency, liquidation or bankruptcy.
Safety and security
AEO-T2, T3 and LO businesses must show proper controls. These cover steps, sites, cargo, transport, staff, data and business partners.
MSME’s
AEO Eligibility for MSMEs
CBIC brought in special rules for qualifying MSMEs applying for AEO-T1 and T2.
Under these rules:
The standard 25-document rule dropped to 10 documents in the year before you apply.
You should have handled at least five documents in each half of that year.
The standard three-year business-history rule dropped to two years.
The legal and financial compliance review period dropped from three years to two.
Documents got simpler for qualifying MSME applications.
MSME businesses should give solid proof of their MSME status. Do not assume Customs waives every general AEO rule.
Benefits of AEO Certification
AEO-T1 benefits
Officially listed T1 benefits include:
- Faster imports and exports
- Shorter cargo-release time
- Direct Port Delivery or Direct Port Entry, subject to set conditions
- Reduced bank-guarantee requirement
- Faster investigation and dispute-resolution handling
- 24×7 Customs clearance on request at eligible sea ports and airports
- Site-access help for authorised staff
- Customs arrival and departure communication facilities
AEO-T2 benefits
T2 gets the T1 benefits plus extra perks, such as:
- Deferred-payment-of-duty facility
- Mutual Recognition Arrangement benefits
- Priority assessment and scanning
- Reduced bank-guarantee requirement
- Faster Drawback processing
- Customs Client Relationship Manager
- Paperless declarations
- Refund or rebate help within the stated programme framework
AEO-T3 benefits
T3 gets the T2 benefits plus the programme’s top perks, such as:
- Scanning only on specific intelligence
- Reliance on self-certified document copies
- No routine bank guarantee, subject to exceptions
- Risk-based intervention
- On-site inspection on request
- Faster refund or rebate help under the programme framework
Important benefit disclaimer
AEO status does not stop Customs checks. Customs can still verify your work. Customs can still take enforcement action.
Customs may restrict benefits if it has specific intelligence. Customs may also do this if you break the rules. The same applies if you misuse your certificate or face another valid legal reason.
Our AEO Certification Services
AEO eligibility assessment
We check:
Applicant category
Right AEO tier
Years in business
Customs-document volume
MSME eligibility
Legal compliance
Financial condition
Existing notices and disputes
Locations involved
Security readiness
Available records and SOPs
AEO compliance gap analysis
We spot gaps in:
Customs compliance
Record management
Financial health
Document retention
Error reporting
Site security
Cargo handling
Employee controls
Transport controls
IT security
Business-partner check
Application preparation
We help prep the papers that apply: AEO application, Annexure 1 and Annexure 2 for T1, Application forms and annexures for T2, T3 or LO, Compliance explanations, Supporting schedules, Declarations, Contact-person details, Location information.
Process-map preparation
The process map should show how goods, documents and information move. This flow starts when you get the order. It ends at import, export, delivery or receipt.
Site-plan preparation
We help prep or review site plans for your business locations, such as: Boundary and external perimeter, Entry and exit points, Storage areas, Loading and unloading areas, Security checkpoints, Vehicle movement, Visitor access, Sensitive areas, CCTV coverage, where it applies.
SOP preparation
Based on your tier, we may prep SOPs for: Customs-compliance review, Shipping Bill and Bill of Entry check, Error reporting, Document retention, Cargo handling, Container and seal control, Visitor management, Employee identification, Vendor selection• Transport security, Incident escalation, Cybersecurity, Business continuity, Record backup and recovery.
Security-plan preparation
For AEO-T2, T3 and LO, we help write your security framework. It covers process, site, cargo, transport, staff, IT and business partner controls.
AEO registration and application filing
We help with: AEO portal registration, Check of IEC-linked email and mobile, OTP-stage coordination, Application data entry, Document uploads, Application submission, Status monitoring.
Query-response support
We review departmental queries and help with: Clarification letters, Additional documents, Revised annexures, Compliance explanations, Updated SOPs, Supporting evidence.
Physical-check preparation
For T2, T3 where it applies and LO, we help with: Pre-check audit, Site walkthrough, Document-room preparation, Employee briefing, SOP availability, Record sampling, Security-control testing, Management interview preparation, Corrective-action closure.
AEO renewal and maintenance
We help existing certificate holders with: Validity review, Renewal assessment, Annual self-declaration, Change notifications, Addition of locations, Compliance monitoring, Upgrade from T1 to T2, Upgrade from T2 to T3.
Checklist
Documents Required for AEO-T1
What you need depends on your business, Customs zone and current portal format.
A standard T1 application may need:
Document / Information
Purpose
IEC Certificate
Applicant and Customs identification
GST Registration
Check of business registration
PAN
Check of legal entity
Incorporation or constitution document
Legal status
MSME certificate
MSME relaxation, where applicable
Shipping Bill/Bill of Entry summary
Customs transaction threshold
Business-location list
Relevant locations
Site plan
Location and operational layout
Organisation chart
Roles and responsibilities
Contact-person details
AEO programme coordination
Customs show-cause notice details
Legal compliance assessment
Financial statements
Financial health
Auditor or CA certificate
Financial-health support
Internal-control description
Commercial and Customs controls
Steps for keeping records
Document management
Customs error-correction process
Compliance management
Annexure 1
General compliance
Annexure 2
Legal, record and financial compliance
Additional
Additional Documents for AEO-T2
AEO-T2 needs wider papers and proof. These may include:
Security policy
Security plan
Process map
Site plan for relevant locations
General compliance assessment
Legal compliance assessment
Commercial and transport-record steps
Financial-health documents
Safety and security assessment
Cargo-security SOP
Seal-control steps
Site-access steps
Visitor-management process
Employee background-check steps
Transporter-security steps
Business-partner due diligence
Incident-reporting steps
IT security policy
Data backup and recovery process
CCTV and access-control information
Fire and emergency steps
Training records
Photographs and supporting evidence
Our Process
Our Five-Step AEO Certification Process
Discovery Call
We collect key facts about your business. This helps us understand your AEO needs. We ask about your business type, import and export activity and Customs volume. We also ask about compliance issues, locations and the tier you want.
Eligibility and Gap Assessment
We check whether you qualify. Then we flag areas that need work before you apply. This covers your papers, controls and SOPs. It also covers your financial records, security steps and compliance explanations.
Papers and Corrections
We prep the required application, annexures, process flows, layout plans and SOPs. Where needed, you carry out the fixes we flag before you submit your papers.
Application Filing and Check Assistance
We help you register on the portal, file the application, submit papers and answer queries.
Certification and Post-Approval Support
After approval, we keep supporting you. This covers certificate review and help with your AEO number. It also covers your yearly self-declaration, a compliance calendar, change notices, renewal and upgrades.
Timeline
AEO Application Processing Timeline
AEO-T1
Under the master rules, Customs aims to issue your T1 certificate within 30 days. This applies once you meet the set conditions. You must also submit what the Programme Manager asks for.
AEO-T2 and AEO-LO
The process covers:
Initial scrutiny of the application
Assignment to the AEO Programme Team
Physical check
Check report
Programme Manager's decision
The framework sets timelines for these steps. Real time can still run longer. Gaps, several sites, extra requests or fixes you need to make can slow things down.
AEO-T3
A qualifying T2 holder may get processed within the 30-day framework. This applies if you have held T2 for at least two years in a row. It does not apply if major changes call for a physical check.
Timeline disclaimer
These are set targets, not guaranteed approval times.
AEO Physical Check Preparation
Pre-check checklist: Before the visit, check that:
All declared locations are ready
SOPs match your actual work
Employees grasp their roles
Visitor records are kept
CCTV and access controls work
Seal and cargo steps are documented
Transporter records are ready
Incident logs can be shown
Customs records are easy to find
Financial records match your application
Any earlier compliance gaps are closed
AEO Certification Fees
AEO-T1 professional charges
This starting fee covers a standard AEO-T1 job. It includes an eligibility check and help with your application.
₹
19,999
/ starting*
Custom quotation required for:
- AEO-T2
- AEO-T3
- AEO-LO
- Multiple business locations
- Detailed SOP development
- Security-plan preparation
- Physical-check audit
- Extensive compliance remediation
- Customs notices or prosecutions
- Application rejection
- Tier upgrade
- Renewal
- Annual self-declaration
- On-site visits
- Staff training
- Multi-state operations
Fee disclaimer
The advertised amount is a starting charge for a basic AEO-T1 job. Your final fee depends on your eligibility, complexity, sites and records. It also depends on your compliance gaps and tier. You pay separately for government, travel, technical, legal and audit costs. Third-party costs and certificate support also cost extra. Paying a fee does not guarantee AEO status.
Validity of AEO Certificates
The current framework provides:
AEO category
Standard validity
AEO-T1
Three years, with continuous certification/auto-renewal subject to compliance monitoring
AEO-T2
Three years
AEO-T3
Five years
AEO-LO
Five years
Circular 3/2018 set a three-year validity for T1 and T2. It set a five-year validity for T3 and LO.
Renewal
AEO-T1 Auto-Renewal and Annual Self-Declaration
Continuous certification or auto-renewal depends on:
- Annual self-declaration
- Compliance monitoring
- Full compliance review
- No adverse findings that would justify revocation
Submit the annual self-declaration between 1 October and 31 December each year. Use the AEO online portal.
Maintain
Maintaining AEO Status
Tell Customs about major changes, such as:
- Change in legal entity
- Change in business name
- Change in address
- New or closed locations
- Change in business activity
- Change in senior Customs staff
- Major changes to accounting systems
- Significant supply-chain changes
- New compliance proceedings
Customs may suspend, downgrade or revoke AEO status. This can happen if it finds serious noncompliance or sees misuse of benefits.
Troubleshooting
Common AEO Application Problems
Incorrect tier selected
Our approach: We check your company’s experience, papers, security controls and goal. Then we recommend T1 or T2.
Minimum Customs-document threshold not met
Our approach:Then we test whether you qualify. We check the standard rule, the MSME relaxation and any exceptional route.
Email or mobile does not match IEC records
Portal checks can fail when your contact details do not match your IEC-linked details.
Our approach:We compare your registration details. Then we guide you on the update or check you need.
Customs notices are not properly disclosed
Hiding notices, demands or investigations can hurt your case.
Our approach: We prepare a full litigation and compliance summary. It shows the current status. It also shows the fix
you have made..
Financial health issue
Negative net worth, cash flow trouble, duty defaults or insolvency can hurt your chances.
Our approach:We check your financial position before we file. Then we tell you whether to move ahead.
Process map is incomplete
The process map may miss: Supplier, Customs Broker, Freight forwarder, Transporter, Warehouse, Port, Document flow, Information flow.
Our approach:We build a full process map of your import, export and supply chain.
Site plan does not cover all locations
An AEO certificate covers the legal entity. It also covers every location in its supply chain, not just the head office.
Our approach: We find every location that applies. Then we prepare a paper list for each location.
SOPs do not match actual operations
Generic SOP templates from the internet often fail during the physical check
Our approach: We build steps based on your actual work and the controls you have in place.
Employee security controls are missing
The company may not keep up: Employee identification, Background check, Exit-access removal, Visitor control, Security training.
Our approach: Our aim is practical controls that fit your business’s size and risk level.
Business-partner check is not enough
You may not have written checks on your transporter, Customs Broker, warehouse or supplier.
Our approach: We prepare steps for choosing partners and for ongoing checks.
Application query remains unanswered
Our approach: We track each query in a tracker. It lists the papers needed, the owner and the reply deadline.
Application rejected
Customs may reject an application if you do not qualify, have open issues or lack papers.
You can apply again once the original grounds for rejection no longer apply. Your business must also meet the set rules.
Why Dwarkadhish overseas
Why Choose Dwarkadhish Overseas?
AEO-specific compliance review
We check your Customs, financial, process and security needs. This goes far beyond filling in an online form.
Tier selection support
We help you work out whether T1, T2, T3 or LO fits your case.
Custom papers
Your actual work shapes every process map, SOP and assessment we prepare.
Physical-check preparation
We help T2, T3 (where it applies) and LO businesses get sites, records and staff ready.
End-to-end coordination
As your AEO consultant, we cover it all. This includes eligibility, papers, filing, query replies, checks and follow-up after approval.
AEO Certification Consultant Services Across India
Dwarkadhish Overseas offers remote and on-site AEO help. We serve traders and logistics businesses across India.
Related Services
ICEGATE Registration
Get help with ICEGATE registration, account activation and portal needs.
AD Code Registration
Register the right foreign remittance bank. Link the AD Code to the Customs location you need.
IGST Refund
Resolve the pending IGST refunds through the GST, Shipping Bill, EGM, ICEGATE and PFMS checks
Duty Drawback
Get help with pending Duty Drawback claims, scrolls and Customs issues.
Export Compliance Outsourcing
Outsource your regular Customs, DGFT, refund and export incentive compliance work.
Client Experiences
What Our Clients Say
“Dwarkadhish Overseas supported us with our export documentation and compliance requirements. Their team was responsive and kept us informed throughout the process.”
Nishu Vishwas
[Company Name]
Service: Advance License
“We approached the team for our pending refund-related work. They reviewed the documents carefully and helped us understand the issues and required next steps.”
[Client Name]
[Company Name]
Service: IGST Refund Support
“The team assisted us with DGFT and Customs requirements in a professional and organised manner. Communication and follow-up were consistent.”
[Client Name]
[Company Name]
Service: Export Compliance Support
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
CBIC issues AEO certificates under the Indian Customs AEO Programme.
Papers usually include your IEC, GSTIN, legal entity records, Customs transaction details and financial records. They also include site details and the compliance annexures that apply.
Benefits include faster processing, DPD/DPE where it applies and lower bank guarantees. There are other Customs benefits too.
Validity is three years. You can then get continuous certification or renewal. Both depend on your yearly self-declaration and compliance review.
Our charges for a standard AEO-T1 job start from ₹19,999. T2, T3, LO and complex applications need a separate quote.
An eligible AEO-T2 holder may apply. You must meet the set time period or the certified businesspartner condition.
No. AEO certification is a voluntary programme. The eligible businesses can apply to get Customs benefits.
Each tier has its own eligibility and the compliance rules. The benefits also differ by tier.
Reviewers check your records. They also check your internal controls, your security steps, and how well you follow customs rules. They may check other rules that apply to your AEO level too.
Yes. This can happen if you stop meeting the AEO rules. It can also happen if you have serious compliance problems.