The approved exporter is a company which has been approved by the main customs office for participation in the so-called \"local clearance procedure\". There is a difference between an \'approved\' exporter and an \'authorised\' exporter, who is authorised to use a declaration of origin on invoices (in accordance with the regulations on the origin of goods and rules on preference) as proof of origin for all export shipments of EU goods to countries with which the EU has a preferential agreement. DPD recommends shippers to apply for approval as an \"Approved exporter IT\" (Form 0850 IT) at www.zoll.de.