Customs Modernization and Tariff Act
Section 1228. Trade Facility for AEO. - The Secretary of Finance shall, upon the recommendation of the Commissioner, issue the necessary rules:
(a) To supervise and regulate the conduct and operations of the AEO s, consistent with international best practices, the World Customs Organization (WCO) framework of standards to secure and facilitate global trade, and other international conventions and agreements;
(b) To develop a trade facilitation program for AEOs and other authorized persons consistent with international best practices and international conventions and agreements; and
(c) To recognize existing facilities where the authority or right to operate AEOs has been granted by the relevant government agency or regulator through a contract, where the Bureau shall:
(i) Only require an endorsement by the relevant agency or regulator;
(ii) Issue a certificate of authority as a matter of course; and
(iii) Ensure that the term of the certificate of authority shall be coterminous with the applicable government contract or any extension thereof.
The Bureau shall implement the provisions of this chapter without interfering, or impeding AEO operations as well as existing operations of wharves, container yards, container freight stations, warehouses, examination areas and other facilities located in customs territory and/or in airports and seaports. The Bureau shall likewise ensure that any subsequent rules, regulations, orders or memoranda issued in relation to AEOs shall be consistent with the appropriate government agency's or regulator's prevailing operating procedures and international hest practices.
Existing contracts of private operators with appropriate government agency or regulator, such as, but not limited to, the PPA, SBMA. and PIA and their respective authorities and powers already granted by law pertinent to such contract, shall not be impaired or adversely affected with the Bureau's implementing rules and regulations on AEOs.