AEO Practitioner Accreditation

The AEO Practitioner Full Accreditation is a four-day learning pathway designed to give delegates a clear, practical understanding of the full Authorised Economic Operator standard and how it is applied by HMRC within the UK customs environment.

The pathway covers both core pillars of AEO: Customs Simplifications and Safety & Security. Delegates will explore how policies, procedures, records, systems, staff awareness, and operational controls support AEO compliance, audit readiness, and ongoing maintenance of AEO standards in day-to-day business activity.

Attendance Options

Delegates can attend in person at Strong & Herd’s training room in Manchester, conveniently located near Manchester Airport and local train stations. Virtual attendance is also available, although we recommend attending in person where possible to maximise learning, interaction, and practical discussion.

Assessment & Certification

Following attendance, delegates will complete one online assessment for each unit included in the pathway. Each assessment is expected to take approximately one hour and must be completed within two weeks of attending the course.

On successful completion of all four assessments, delegates can complete the accreditation and receive certification through SFJ Awards.

• Describe the purpose, scope, and benefits of the AEO programme.

• Demonstrate understanding of key AEO terminology, expectations, and HMRC requirements.

• Explain how HMRC assesses customs compliance and safety and security controls.

• Identify the role of people, processes, systems, records, and documentation within AEO.

• Apply AEO principles to practical business scenarios, audit preparation, and compliance reviews.

• Support ongoing compliance by embedding AEO principles into day-to-day business operations.

Customs Simplifications

Unit 1: Understanding the Requirements of Customs Compliance within the AEO Standard.

Unit 2: Application of the Customs Compliance Procedures to AEO Standards.

Safety & Security

Unit 3: Understanding AEO-Compliant Security Management Systems within the Supply Chain.

Unit 4: Application of Methodology for Ensuring Compliance to Security/Safety Standards.

This course is suitable for businesses and individuals involved in customs compliance, international trade, supply chain operations, logistics, security, audit preparation, AEO application activity, or the ongoing maintenance of AEO standards.

• Businesses preparing for an AEO application or reviewing existing AEO readiness.

• Teams responsible for customs procedures, records, authorisations, and internal compliance controls.

• Supply chain, warehouse, logistics, and security teams involved in demonstrating safe and secure operations.

• Managers, supervisors, and compliance leads who need to understand how AEO requirements apply across the organisation.

• Employees supporting evidence gathering, audit preparation, third-party management, or continuous improvement activity.

The AEO Practitioner Full Accreditation runs on set public course dates and can be booked online in the same way as Strong & Herd’s other public training courses. Places are limited to eight delegates in total to provide the best possible learning experience.

This full accreditation is delivered over four days and covers all four units: Units 1 and 2 for Customs Simplifications, and Units 3 and 4 for Safety & Security.

Delegates will be supported throughout the pathway with knowledge checkers, practical activities, discussion points, and interactive workbook materials. The workbook can be used to record notes, answer questions, capture further support needs, and support revision before assessment.

Additional guidance, revision materials, and learning resources will be available through the Strong & Herd Study Hub to help delegates prepare for the online assessments and apply the learning within their own business environment.