Digitalisation

Electronic Freight Transport Information

Regulation (EU) 2020/1056 aims to digitalise freight transport across the EU by replacing paper-based documentation with electronic data in all transport modes—road, rail, inland waterway, and air. This shift will reduce administrative burdens, enhance data security, and ensure regulatory compliance. From 2027, authorities in all EU Member States must accept electronic freight data shared via eFTI-compliant platforms.

The use of eFTI platforms is expected to save the EU transport and logistics sector €1 billion annually by enabling real-time data sharing, improving logistics planning, and strengthening multimodal transport coordination.

European Shippers’ Council, as a member of the Digital Transport and Logistics Forum (DTLF), has contributed significantly to the development of the legislative proposal on eFTI.

Timeline:

• August 2020: Regulation (EU) 2020/1056 on electronic freight transport information entered into force.

• 2020–2025: Preparatory work was carried out with the support of experts from both public and private stakeholders.

• January 2025: The first eFTI implementing and delegated acts entered into force. Member States may start developing the IT systems necessary to allow authorities to check eFTI compliant transport information.

• By December 2025: The European Commission plans to adopt the remaining eFTI implementing specifications. These will provide detailed functional and technical requirements for eFTI platforms and service providers, along with rules for their certification.

• As of January 2026: eFTI platforms and service providers can start preparing for operations. Member State authorities may begin accepting data stored on certified eFTI platforms for inspection.

• 9 July 2027: The eFTI Regulation will apply in full. Member State authorities must accept information shared electronically by operators via certified eFTI platforms.