[PROJECT NAME] Smart Credit - Enterprise Credit Development
[SUBMITTED BY] Shenzhen and Jinan Customs Districts
[PROJECT OVERVIEW] Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often struggle to apply for the AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) certification due to complex standards, high requirements, and technical expertise. China Customs leveraged augmented reality (AR), video capture, and holographic projection technologies to develop 22 virtual reality (VR) scenarios demonstrating AEO certification standards. This immersive and comprehensive training enables SMEs to grasp trade security essentials swiftly, boosting training efficiency by 30% and reducing Customs review time by 80%. This technology has significantly lowered barriers to AEO participation while enhancing compliance and management of SMEs. In 2024, China Customs certified 689 enterprises as AEOs.
[PROJECT DETAILS]
I. Key Approaches
1. Policy Guidance via Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). An AEO intelligent robot was developed, integrating a Customs policy database with natural language processing technology to realize HCI. Enterprises can gain quick access to AEO certification standards and preferential policies, improving learning efficiency by 30%
2. Virtual Certification Scenarios. Using AR technology, 22 immersive virtual scenarios were created to cover critical points such as facility entrances/exits, monitoring rooms, container yards, loading zones, warehouses, and document archives. Through digital projection and motion capture, enterprises visualize best practices, including pedestrian-vehicle separation at entry and exit points, comprehensive real-time warehouse surveillance, and applying the “7-Point Inspection Method” to mitigate cross-border cargo risks.
3. Online Operational Demo System. By combining projection mapping and 3D animation, transport vehicles were simulated on screen. Image recognition technology can vividly demonstrate port inspection cases, while 360° panoramas highlighted the risks of cross-border cargo transport, strengthening corporate risk awareness.
4. Online Smart Training Platform. Leveraging multimodal AI and natural language processing, the platform analyzes and evaluates AEO applications by enterprises. Customs can provide tailored guidance based on assessment results, enabling enterprises to improve and refine trade security measures.
II. Achievements
1. Expanding AEO Coverage to More SMEs. In 2024, China Customs certified 689 enterprises as AEOs. By the end of 2024, the total number of AEO enterprises nationwide reached 6,338, accounting for nearly 40% of China’s total trade volume.
2. Improvement in Certification Efficiency. Overall certification efficiency increased by over 50%. Document review time was reduced from more than 20 hours to just 4 hours, while the volume of hard copies reviewed decreased by 40%.
3. A Practical Model for Global Customs Collaboration. Customs delegations from more than 20 countries/regions, including Türkiye, Belarus, Singapore, and Turkmenistan, visited and highly praised this approach.
4. Recognition by the WCO. In May 2024, the 6th Global AEO Conference was successfully held in Shenzhen. After touring China Customs’ AEO Training Base and experiencing its virtual scenario applications, World Customs Organization (WCO) then Council Chair Edward Kieswetter remarked: “China Customs stands out in the AEO field, and this training base epitomizes its achievements.”
III. Scaling and Application
To further enhance training outcomes, China Customs upgraded virtual reality scenarios into physical training environments by establishing the AEO Training Base (Shenzhen). Spanning approximately 3,000 square meters, the facility features 12 immersive learning zones designed to help SMEs improve trade security management capabilities. Moving forward, China Customs will continue to advance the application of virtual reality technology in AEO certification and collaborate with global Customs administrations to build a safer, more efficient, and seamless international supply chain.