On the display shelf of the archives office at the Gongbei Customs District, P. R. China (Gongbei Customs), a shield-shaped commemorative plaque bearing the number "0026-SW•JN•2023-Y-021" stands quietly. It was sent to be archived here two years ago from thousands of miles away; today, its surface still retains a soft metallic sheen. This plaque from West Africa silently records the crucial milestone in the mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status between China and Benin Customs.

In May 2023, Raouf Malèhossou Aboudou, head of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program at Benin Customs and a pre-accredited expert of the World Customs Organization (WCO), proactively reached out to China Customs to express Benin's intent for mutual recognition cooperation. After a comprehensive assessment, the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) decided to officially proceed with the China-Benin AEO mutual recognition and designated Gongbei Customs to take the lead in liaison and coordination. In November 2023, the GACC–GDBC 1st AEO Mutual Recognition Working Group Meeting between China and Benin Customs was held in Zhuhai, where the two sides discussed their respective AEO systems, mutual recognition procedures, and key elements of the agreement text. It was at this landmark meeting that Benin Customs presented Gongbei Customs with the shield-shaped commemorative plaque.

On August 1st, 2025, with the official implementation of the agreement, a "fast lane" for trade between the two countries was fully opened. “In the past, it took a long time for goods to clear customs in Benin. Now, clearance time has been cut by about 15%, and our warehousing and logistics costs have dropped significantly,” said Zeng Anxiong, deputy manager of the Import and Export Department at Guangdong Welly Electrical Appliances Co., Ltd.

Many of China's small and medium-sized enterprises have first entered the African market through the AEO certification training program, adding a "West African option" to their trade portfolio. According to the statistics released by the GACC, in August 2025, the bilateral trade volume between China and Benin increased by 35.6% year-on-year, with orders for mechanical and electrical products and agricultural products growing at an especially impressive pace, like "catching an express train" in trade.

一枚西非纪念牌背后的海关“通关密码”

在中华人民共和国拱北海关（以下简称“拱北海关”）档案室的陈列架上，一枚编号“0026-SW•JN•2023-Y-021”的盾形纪念牌静静伫立。两年前它跨越山海归档入库，如今金属表面仍泛着温润光泽——这抹来自西非的印记，悄悄镌刻着中国与贝宁海关“经认证的经营者”（AEO）制度互认的关键足迹。

2023年5月，贝宁海关AEO项目负责人、世界海关组织预认证专家阿布杜主动联系中国海关，明确表达互认合作的诉求。海关总署经综合评估，决定正式推进双方AEO互认合作事宜，并指定拱北海关牵头负责对接。2023年11月，中贝海关在珠海召开AEO互认工作组第一次会议，就双方AEO制度、互认流程、互认文本主要内容等事项进行磋商。正是在这次具有里程碑意义的会议上，贝宁海关向拱北海关赠送了纪念品——盾形纪念牌。

2025年8月1日，随着相关制度正式实施，两国贸易的“通关大道”彻底打通。 “以前货物在贝宁清关要等好久，现在通关时间缩短了约15%，仓储和物流成本也下降了不少！” 广东威力电器有限公司进出口部副经理曾岸雄说。

不少中国中小企业借着AEO认证培育计划，第一次敲开了非洲市场的大门，让贸易版图多了“西非选项”。海关总署统计数据显示，2025年8月，中贝双边贸易额同比增长35.6%，机电产品、农产品等品类的订单像“搭了快车”，增速格外亮眼。

文 | 记者 李旭 通讯员 孔瑾 吴思婷
译丨曾敏
英文审校丨林佳岱