Union Customs Code — Article 38

ties shall, on the basis of the recognition of the status of authorised economic operator for customs simplifications and provided that the requirements related to a specific type of simplification provided for in the customs legislation are fulfilled, authorise the operator to benefit from that simplification. Customs authorities shall not re-examine those criteria which have already been examined when granting the status of authorised economic operator. re-examine those criteria which have already been examined when granting the status of authorised economic operator. 6. The authorised economic operator referred to in paragraph 2 shall enjoy more favourable treatment than other economic operators in respect of customs controls according to the type of authorisation granted, including fewer physical and document-based controls. customs controls according to the type of authorisation granted, including fewer physical and document-based controls. 7. The customs authorities shall grant benefits resulting from the status of authorised economic operator to persons established in countries or territories outside the customs territory of the Union, who fulfil conditions and comply with obligations defined by the relevant legislation of those countries or territories, insofar as those conditions and obligations are recognised by the Union as equivalent to those imposed to authorised economic operators established in the customs territory of the Union. Such a granting of benefits shall be based on the principle of reciprocity unless otherwise decided by the Union, and shall be supported by an international agreement or Union legislation in the area of the common commercial policy.