Europe’s freight transport sector is moving steadily towards a paperless future as the European Union prepares for the full implementation of its Electronic Freight Transport Information system, known as eFTI.
From 9 July 2027, authorities in every EU member state will be required to accept regulatory freight information submitted electronically by transport operators through certified eFTI platforms.
The change will cover road, rail, inland-waterway and air freight. Its objective is to reduce the large volume of paper documentation accompanying European freight movements while making roadside inspections and other compliance checks faster and more consistent.
Under the new system, operators will be able to store required transport information on a secure, certified digital platform. When an enforcement authority requests access during an inspection, the driver or operator will provide a unique electronic link—potentially through a QR code—allowing the officer to retrieve the relevant information.
Data will not simply be placed in a publicly accessible central database. It will remain on the certified platform and should only be made available to authorised authorities or business partners with the appropriate access rights.
Voluntary for operators
An important distinction is that the obligation will initially fall on public authorities, not transport companies.
From July 2027, authorities must be capable of receiving compliant electronic information, but operators will retain the option of using conventional documentation. Companies choosing the digital route must use an eFTI-compliant and certified platform.
This means that paper documents will not disappear overnight. Nevertheless, digital adoption is expected to increase as hauliers, freight forwarders, shippers and enforcement agencies recognise the potential savings.
The European Commission estimates that eFTI could generate annual operational and administrative savings of approximately €1 billion for the European transport and logistics sector.
What information will be covered?
The eFTI framework is intended to support information required under EU and national freight legislation. This may include details relating to the cargo, consignor, consignee, carrier, vehicle, journey and any special regulatory conditions applying to the goods.
It should reduce the need to carry multiple paper copies and make it easier to update information without repeatedly printing new documents.
However, eFTI should not be confused with the electronic CMR consignment note. An e-CMR concerns the commercial contract governing the international carriage of goods by road, while eFTI provides a regulated system for presenting freight information to public authorities. The two systems may complement one another, but they are not identical.
Preparation underway
Certified platforms and service providers can now prepare for operation, while member states are developing the digital “gates” through which enforcement authorities will access information. The European Commission plans to adopt the remaining technical and certification specifications by December 2026.
Irish transport operators should use the preparation period to review their transport-management systems and speak with software providers about eFTI compatibility. They should also examine how electronic records will be stored, updated and made available to drivers during roadside inspections.
The transition will require investment and staff training, particularly for smaller operators. However, a properly implemented system could ultimately reduce paperwork, shorten inspections and remove one of the persistent administrative burdens associated with international haulage.
The EU’s eFTI framework will apply fully from 9 July 2027
