AEO
AEO
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Tier Detail AEO LO

AEO LO

Logistics Operator (LO) tier for service providers that handle, store, transport, or manage cargo — enabling trusted custody and smoother supply-chain operations (as applicable and risk-based).

Apply for AEO LO Back to comparison
At a glance
Logistics Operator
Best for
Logistics service providers, custodians or terminal operators, Customs brokers and warehouse operators.
Typical timeline (indicative)
X–Y weeks
Key focus
Cargo custody, facility security & process integrity
Benefits Eligibility summary Typical timeline Documents
Benefits

What you get as AEO LO

AEO-LO benefits are role-specific: logistics service providers, custodians/terminal operators, Customs brokers and warehouse operators receive the facilities prescribed for their category.

Trusted custody recognition
Formal trusted-trade credential for logistics operations and cargo handling.
Stronger security posture
Improved facility, access control, and incident-management discipline.
Logistics Service Providers
(a) Waiver of bank Guarantee in case of trans-shipment of goods under Goods imported (Condition of Trans-shipment) Regulations, 1995.
(b) Facility of Execution of running bond.
(c) Exemption from permission on case to case basis in case of transit of goods.
In case of international transshipped cargo (Foreign to Foreign), for the pre-sorted containers wherein Cargo does not require segregation, ramp to ramp or tail to tail transfer of cargo can be effected without Customs escorts.
Custodians/Terminal Operators
(a) Waiver of bank Guarantee under Handling of cargo in Customs Area Regulations 2009.
(b)Extension of approval for custodians under regulation 10(2) of the 'Handling of cargo in Customs Area Regulation 2009 'for period of 10 years.
Customs Brokers
(a) Waiver of Bank Guarantee to be furnished under regulation 8 of the CBLR, 2013.
(b) Extended validity (till validity of AEO status) of licenses granted under regulation 9 of the CBLR 2013. System Manager to incorporate date of validity of AEO from time to time in the System Directory
(c) Waiver from fee for renewal of license under sub regulation (2) of regulation 11 of CBLR,2013.
Warehouse Operators
(a) Faster approval for new warehouses within 7 days of submission of complete documents
(b) Waiver of antecedent verification envisaged for grant of license for warehouse under circular 26/2016
(c) Waiver of solvency certificate requirement under circular 24/2016
(d) Waiver of security for obtaining extension in warehousing period under circular 21/2016
(e) Waiver of security required for warehousing of sensitive goods under circular 21/2016
Eligibility

Eligibility summary

Snapshot for LO applicants. Link to official eligibility criteria and extant instructions for final wording.

  • Valid authorisations / registrations relevant to operations (e.g., custodian/warehouse/terminal permissions), as applicable.
  • Applicant must meet para 3.1 eligibility and paras 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5 requirements; claims are physically verified at relevant premises.
View official eligibility Download checklist
Timeline

Typical lifecycle

Same structure as other tiers for consistency.

  1. Step 1
    Apply
    Submit guided application + LO-specific documents and SOPs.
  2. Step 2
    Validate
    Facility/process validation: custody, access, records, security controls.
  3. Step 3
    Certify
    Decision and certificate issuance.
  4. Step 4
    Monitor
    Ongoing compliance, updates, and renewals (as per programme rules).
Align durations and evidence requirements with official SOPs and portal workflow.
Documents

Document checklist

Keep the checklist layout identical across tiers for usability and training.

Documents
Annexure A, Annexure B Security Plan, Annexure C Process Map, Annexure D Site Plan, Annexure E.1 to E.5 self-assessment forms and supporting evidence. Annexure F is not required for LO.
Download pack
Authorisations / licences (as applicable)
Copies of operational permissions relevant to your LO role (custodian/warehouse/terminal etc.).
Mandatory
Facility & access security plan
Perimeter/access control, CCTV coverage (where applicable), visitor/vehicle controls, security patrols.
Mandatory
Cargo custody SOPs & logs
Receipt, storage, movement, handoff, seal control, discrepancy handling, incident reporting.
Mandatory
IT / record integrity controls
Access rights, audit trails, data retention, backup/BCP (as applicable to operations).
Recommended
Training & responsibility matrix
Staff training records and role assignment for custody/security/reporting.
Recommended
For LO, add sample log formats (visitor/vehicle logs, seal logs, incident logs) to reduce ambiguity and speed up submissions.
AEO India — Apply (Guided Journey)