The Revolution of Electronic Shipping Documents: implementation of eFTI in the EU and Poland in the light of legal changes

On 9 January 2025, the first regulations came into effect, allowing Member States to begin setting up their IT systems in preparation for going paperless in freight transportation.

The new legislation specifies the rules for system design and data exchange. Importantly, the switch to electronic documents covers all modes of freight transport: road, rail, air and even inland waterways.

The eFTI Regulation will take full effect on 9 July 2027, when Member States will be required to accept electronic information submitted by operators through certified eFTI platforms. The implementation of the eFTI system in the European Union has been delayed by nearly two years in relation to the original schedule.

To date, three key pieces of legislation have been published:

• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1942 of 5 July 2024, laying down common procedures and detailed rules for accessing and processing electronic freight transport information by competent authorities.
• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2024 of 26 July 2024 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1056 by establishing the eFTI common data set.
• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2025 of 15 July 2024, amending Part B of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2020/1056.

We are still waiting for the publication of two key pieces of legislation concerning eFTI platform certification rules and technical specifications for eFTI platforms and service providers. Initially, it was planned that the first information exchange platforms would become operational in October 2024, and inspections would be required to consider electronic consignment notes from August 2025. However, these deadlines have been delayed by almost two years.

According to the European Commission’s communication of 9 January 2025[1], the key dates for eFTI implementation are:

• January 2025 – Member States may begin developing IT systems to check electronic transportation information.
• September 2025 – The Commission plans to adopt further eFTI implementation specifications, including detailed requirements for eFTI systems and platforms and certification rules.
• January 2026 – eFTI platforms and service providers can start preparing for operations. Member States may begin accepting data stored on certified eFTI platforms.
• 9 July 2027 – The eFTI regulation is fully applied, and Member States have to accept information made available electronically through certified eFTI platforms.

Electronic consignment notes in Poland

In Poland, it is still not legally possible to carry out shipments using electronic shipping documents. Paper shipping documents are required during roadside inspections. However, a draft amendment to the road transport act is in the public consultation stage; the amendment envisions enabling the use of electronic consignment notes. A proposal for changes enabling the switch to electronic shipping documents in Poland was also proposed by the eCMR forum, of which INELO is a member. The goal of the forum is to develop changes in the law that will enable the widespread use of electronic consignment notes in domestic and international transport.

Key benefits of eFTI implementation:

• Fewer unexpected stops and shorter delays caused by inspections.
• More efficient logistics planning, loading and routing with eFTI platforms.
• Saving up to EUR 13 per shipping document, saves EUR 1 billion annually for the EU transport and logistics sector.
• Simplified compliance inspections, shorter inspection times and better inspection targeting.

[1] https://transport.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/towards-paperless-freight-transport-eu-takes-step-forward-efti-regulation-implementation-2025-01-09_en