Customs' AEO traders clear cargo 22 hours faster: Study

Customs report shows AEO-certified traders record median cargo release time of 30 hours vs. 53 hours for non-AEO traders; Finance Ministry says risk-based controls support faster cargo release, effective border controls; Digital queue management system seen improving container movement, examination yard efficiency; Considerable time elapses between Customs release and cargo exiting port; Closer coordination among border agencies needed to further improve cargo release times

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BUSINESSES certified under Sri Lanka Customs’ Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Program are clearing cargo around 22 hours faster than non-certified traders, according to the country’s first fully digital Time Release Study (TRS), with the Finance Ministry saying the findings underscore the benefits of risk-based trade facilitation while highlighting further opportunities to streamline cargo clearance.

The Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry said the 2025 study was conducted in accordance with the World Customs Organisation’s methodology, with technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under its Policy-Based Lending program for Sri Lanka.

It described the exercise as the first TRS in Sri Lanka to be carried out entirely using electronic data extracted from the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) system, reflecting progress in digitalisation and data-driven performance management at Sri Lanka Customs.