The China–Uzbekistan Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) mutual recognition arrangement officially came into effect on Saturday, offering easier customs clearance for exporters from both countries.
According to the General Administration of Customs (GAC), China is Uzbekistan's first AEO mutual recognition partner, and the country has become Uzbekistan's largest trading partner and one of its biggest sources of foreign investment.
The AEO system, initiated by the World Customs Organization, is aimed at facilitating customs clearance for enterprises with outstanding records in terms of legal compliance, credit rating and safety.
Data showed that the trade volume between China and Uzbekistan totaled 64.77 billion yuan (about 9.59 billion U.S. dollars) in the first six months of the year, up 24.2 percent year on year.
Under the arrangement, companies that obtain the AEO status in the two countries will enjoy simplified customs procedures, such as reduced examination and prioritized clearance, which will significantly shorten customs clearance time and reduce warehouse and logistics costs.
So far, the number of economies that have signed AEO mutual recognition agreements with China stands at 34, covering 60 countries and regions. China has implemented the AEO mutual recognition arrangements with 53 countries and regions across the world.
China-Uzbekistan AEO mutual recognition arrangement comes into force
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Tesla's certification that its new Cybercab meets all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
The probe, formally designated as an Audit Query, was opened on Sept. 3 and covers an estimated 1,000 Cybercab vehicles, according to an NHTSA investigation document made public on Friday. It will examine the process and technical data Tesla relied upon when certifying the Cybercab, as well as related issues. Tesla began commercial deployment of a small number of Cybercab vehicles in Austin, Texas, on Thursday and notified the agency that it had certified the vehicles as compliant with all applicable FMVSS. Tesla also told the NHTSA that it plans to gradually expand commercial deployment of the Cybercab to include additional vehicles and locations.
The vehicles lack permanently attached conventional manual controls, such as a brake pedal, gas pedal, steering wheel and mirrors, according to the NHTSA.
The agency said the inquiry will examine, among other issues, the extent to which Tesla's certification depended on determinations that certain FMVSS are inapplicable to the Cybercab.
In the United States, the NHTSA establishes vehicle performance requirements, while automakers must certify that their vehicles meet applicable standards before entering the U.S. market, subject to agency oversight to confirm compliance. The NHTSA said it conducts investigations when certified vehicles appear not to adhere to those requirements.
U.S. regulator opens probe into Tesla Cybercab self-certification
