The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority has launched a fully upgraded Authorized Economic Operator program, a significant step to cement the Kingdom’s position as a leading global logistics hub.
The program, which was first launched in 2018 and has been comprehensively redeveloped and relaunched in 2025, represents a unified national strategy involving 14 key government entities to accelerate cross-border trade and reward compliant businesses.
“The Saudi AEO program is a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s broader economic vision, designed as a direct enabler of Vision 2030, specifically targeting economic diversification and enhanced global connectivity,” said Hammoud Al-Harbi, spokesperson for the ZATCA.
“We recognized the need for a modern, comprehensive program that reflects the fast-paced nature of international trade, which prompted us to develop and launch this enhanced version,” he added.
Al-Harbi pointed to the new multi-tiered model, created to accommodate a wider spectrum of businesses, saying: “We introduced the Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers for importers and exporters, in addition to a dedicated ‘Trusted Operator’ category for logistics providers.
“The ZATCA designed the multiple tiers to ensure that small and medium enterprises, as well as multinational companies, can find a path to certification and begin reaping tangible benefits.”
Al-Harbi emphasized the importance of inter-governmental cooperation, noting that the authority worked closely with 14 supporting entities, including the Ministry of Transport and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.
“We viewed this multi-sectoral partnership as fundamental to the program’s success, as it ensures regulatory harmonization and a truly unified experience for the trader.”
Listing the strategic advantages for certified entities, Al-Harbi said that they include a package of financial, procedural, and administrative benefits provided by the authority and the partner government entities, such as deferred payment of taxes and customs duties, and fast-track processing.
The ZATCA has placed particular emphasis on international mutual recognition agreements, having signed its first MRA with the Korea Customs Service in 2023. Since then, the authority has expanded this network to include Egypt, Morocco, and Hong Kong.
Facilities in GCC countries enrolled in the Gulf AEO Program also benefit from this international network.
Al-Harbi highlighted the authority’s commitment to ensuring that every Saudi AEO-certified entity “automatically gains the right to access expedited procedures in these partner countries, which significantly enhances the reliability and efficiency of their international supply chains.”
The spokesperson believes the program represents a long-term asset for businesses. He said: “The authority envisions this program as more than just a certificate; it is a strategic partnership. We reward operational excellence and regulatory compliance, transforming them into a powerful competitive edge in the global market.”
For companies operating in the Kingdom, obtaining the Saudi AEO certificate “represents a pivotal step toward securing faster, more reliable, and cost-effective commercial operations,” Al-Harbi added.
