A group of foreign trade enterprises traveling between Central Asia and Hong Kong will experience substantial changes in cross-border customs clearance in the future. With the continuous progress of customs negotiations between Kazakhstan and Hong Kong, the mutual recognition of authorized economic operators between the two places has entered the countdown to implementation. Trustworthy foreign trade entities will directly reap policy dividends at the customs clearance level, further unleashing the potential vitality of economic and trade exchanges between the two places.

Negotiations focus on facilitating customs clearance

On September 23, 2026, the National Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan held bilateral talks with representatives of Hong Kong Customs. Ha Fang provides a detailed introduction to the application process for authorized economic operator qualifications, enterprise admission standards, and various local customs clearance convenience measures. Authorized economic operators refer to market entities that comply with customs regulations and can obtain corresponding convenient support during customs clearance. After obtaining this qualification, the daily customs clearance and inspection process can be accelerated, which can effectively reduce the time and financial expenses in trade activities. This bilateral exchange is also an important part of Hong Kong's expansion of the Central Asian customs mutual recognition network, which can solidify the cooperation foundation for subsequent institutional docking between the two sides.

Conduct on-site research on the operational status of enterprises

Outside of the talks, the Hong Kong Customs delegation went to Karaganda to visit the local Eurasian Food Corporation. This local production enterprise in Kazakhstan has obtained the qualification of authorized economic operator since 2019 and fully participates in the entire system practice on a daily basis. The delegation observed the entire process of enterprise operation on site and closely grasped the real status of the implementation and operation of Kazakhstan's authorized economic operator system. Through real-life examples of local enterprises, Hong Kong can more fully evaluate institutional differences, accumulate first-hand references for polishing subsequent agreement terms, and ensure that mutual recognition rules are in line with the actual business demands of enterprises in both places.

Protocol empowers stable development of supply chain

During the talks, both parties finalized the main steps for the next phase of the mutual recognition agreement for authorized economic operators, which is expected to be officially signed in September 2027 according to the existing planning agreement. After the agreement takes effect, enterprises with corresponding qualifications can enjoy a more efficient and smooth customs clearance process when conducting two-way foreign trade business. Keywords: AEO mutual recognition, customs clearance facilitation, supply chain stability

The customs processing cycle has been shortened, the comprehensive operating costs of enterprises have been reduced, the predictability of international freight has been improved, and the security and stability level of the supply chain has been enhanced accordingly. This cooperation is aimed at a wide range of law-abiding market entities, with the aim of creating a fast and secure cross-border trade environment, further activating Hong Kong's role as a commercial link with the Central Asian market, and opening up new development space for regional economic and trade cooperation.Editor/Huang jiali