Self-assessment of VAT upon import and AEO status

In the article, we are going to focus on the topic of VAT self-assessment when importing goods, which is valid from July 1, 2025. You will learn what the conditions are for applying self-assessment, we will take a closer look at the status of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO). We will talk about who can apply for the AEO status and what the procedure for obtaining the AEO permission is.

Self-assessment of VAT upon import

On April 24, 2024, the National Council of the Slovak Republic approved Act No. 102/2024 Coll., amending Act no. 222/2004 Coll. on value added tax as amended and which amends some laws, which was published in the Collection of Laws of the Slovak Republic on 17/05/2024.

With effect from July 1, 2025, a change in the amendment to the VAT Act is self-assessment when importing goods for payers who meet the conditions set by law. This is a change in the method of paying tax when importing goods into the country, where instead of paying the tax to the customs office, the payer calculates this tax when importing goods and states it in the tax return for the tax period in which the tax liability arose, where at the same time the subject can claim entitlement to tax deduction. The new bill will thus simplify the process in the form of self-assessment.

Statutory conditions for applying self-assessment:

the entrepreneur's obligation to be established in the Slovak Republic,
the entrepreneur must have assigned a VAT number at the time of the tax liability,
an entrepreneur in Slovakia must have an effective permit granting the status of approved economic entity (AEO) according to customs regulations.

Therefore, import VAT will not be assessed by the customs authority. The payer no longer has to wait for the tax to be assessed and payment to the customs office in order to claim VAT deduction from imported goods. Instead, the subject will be able to apply for the self-assessment regime if it meets the legal conditions. An entrepreneur who fulfills the above conditions will be obliged to calculate the import VAT himself and state it in the VAT return for the relevant tax period.

It follows from the above that the entrepreneur or a payer who has AEO status and imports goods from third countries, VAT reporting will be partially extended, but this change will have a positive impact on his cash flow, as the possibility to apply the tax deduction would be granted in the same tax period as the tax liability arose.

Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) status

The aim of introducing this AEO status is to ensure international trade with an easily recognizable quality mark - AEO permit. This permit establishes that its holder is a reliable subject of the international supply chain, as the holder of this permit is verified by the customs authority. International customs authorities and companies know that such a company has been verified by customs authorities and that internal control mechanisms, customs procedures, physical security of goods from production to storage to transportation, and its financial health meet both customs and security requirements.

Who can apply for AEO status

With the praised economic entity can be manufacturers, importers, exporters, forwarders, customs declarants, carriers, forwarders, intermediaries, ports, airports, terminals in ports, at airports, terminals of combined transport, operators of international transport, operators of combined transport, operators of bonded warehouses, operators of express delivery services, distributors, etc.

In order to ensure the safety and security of the international supply chain, this process includes all activities from the processing of goods intended for export to the delivery of goods to another customs territory.

A company performing activities included in the supply chain, regardless of its size, can apply for AEO status. An approved business entity permit is issued to any business entity based in the European Union that meets the criteria for compliance with customs regulations.

Procedure for obtaining an AEO permit

Self-evaluation - the entrepreneur fills out a self-evaluation questionnaire (it is an attachment to the application for issuing a AEO permit) where he himself evaluates whether he meets the necessary criteria, or whether it is necessary to take measures to meet them.
Application submission and its acceptance
Checking whether the criteria are met – and therefore checking the information that was provided by the applicant in the self-assessment questionnaire. Consultations are also carried out with other authorities, possibly with other EU member states.
Issuing a permit - after meeting all conditions, the permit is issued within 120 calendar days from the receipt of the application. The permit becomes effective 5 days after its issuance. The permit is valid for an indefinite period in all EU member states
Monitoring of permit holders

If you are considering AEO registration, do not hesitate to contact us, we will be happy to help you with the process.