eFTI: What It Is and How It Affects Freight Transport

eFTI (electronic Freight Transport Information) is the European framework created to facilitate the electronic exchange of regulatory information relating to freight transport.

Its aim is to allow companies and authorities to work with structured and standardised digital data, reducing dependence on paper documents and preventing each country from using incompatible systems to exchange the same information.

eFTI is primarily governed by Regulation (EU) 2020/1056 and covers freight transport by road, rail, inland waterways and air within the European Union.

However, eFTI is not a new transport document and does not directly replace the CMR, eCMR or DeCA.

It is a framework that allows certain regulatory freight transport information to be made available electronically to authorities through interoperable systems.

In this guide, we explain what eFTI is, how it works, when it becomes fully applicable and what it may change for carriers, shippers and logistics operators.

What is eFTI?

eFTI stands for electronic Freight Transport Information.

The eFTI Regulation establishes a common legal framework allowing economic operators to provide certain transport information required by law to public authorities electronically.

Until now, much of this information has circulated through physical documents, PDFs, independent platforms or different systems in each country.

eFTI aims to move towards a model in which this information can be exchanged using structured data, common formats and compatible platforms across EU Member States.

This means authorities can access electronically submitted information under common rules regardless of the country in which the company operates.

What is the eFTI Regulation for?

The eFTI Regulation aims to address one of the main challenges in the digitalisation of European freight transport: having information in digital form does not necessarily mean that different systems can understand or exchange it.

A company may already have digital transport processes and still encounter authorities, countries or systems that request the same information through different procedures.

eFTI introduces common rules designed to reduce this fragmentation.

It improves communication between companies and authorities

When a company chooses to provide regulatory information electronically through eFTI, authorities can access that information using common procedures.

This reduces the need to build a different process for every authority or Member State.

It standardises freight transport data

One of the core elements of the eFTI model is the use of common data sets.

Information is no longer treated only as a visual document. It is organised as structured data that different systems can interpret.

This improves interoperability between platforms, public authorities and business systems.

It reduces reliance on physical documents

The objective is not simply to scan traditional paperwork.

The framework is designed so that relevant information can be managed directly in electronic form and made available to authorities when required.

It makes automation easier

Working with structured data makes it easier to integrate regulatory transport information with systems such as TMS, ERP and other logistics management platforms.

This can reduce repeated data entry and support more automated processes.

How does eFTI work?

The eFTI model differs from a system in which electronic documents are constantly sent to public authorities.

The information remains stored on an eFTI platform and is made available to the relevant authority when access is required.

The company manages the freight transport data

The operator creates and maintains the information required for the transport operation.

This information may come from systems the company already uses, such as a TMS, ERP or document management platform.

The information is processed through an eFTI platform

When a company wants to provide information electronically to authorities under the eFTI framework, the data must be processed through a certified eFTI platform and, where applicable, a certified eFTI service provider.

The platform must comply with the technical and functional requirements established by EU legislation.

The authority accesses the information when a check is required

The information does not need to be continuously sent to every authority.

When required, the company provides a unique electronic identifying link that gives access to the information associated with the shipment.

The connection must be secure and authenticated.

The information must also be available in human-readable form

The legislation distinguishes between machine-readable and human-readable information.

The data is made available electronically in a structured format, but if an authority needs to inspect it in a readable format, it must also be possible to display it on a device screen.

eFTI therefore combines system-to-system automation with practical access to information during real transport operations.

What information does eFTI cover?

eFTI does not create an entirely new documentation obligation or require companies to collect completely different information.

The Regulation provides the legal and technological infrastructure for digitalising certain regulatory information that already has to be made available under EU or national legislation within its scope.

It can cover information related to different areas of freight transport and different transport modes.

The key point is that this information can be converted into structured data that follows the common eFTI data model.

It is therefore more accurate to talk about electronic freight transport information rather than a single “eFTI document”.

Which transport modes does eFTI apply to?

The Regulation has a multimodal scope.

It is not limited to road transport.

Its scope includes regulatory freight transport information relating to:

• Road transport
• Rail transport
• Inland waterways
• Air transport

This is an important difference compared with documents such as the CMR or eCMR, which specifically relate to certain international road freight transport operations.

eFTI is intended to create a common layer for exchanging regulatory information across different freight transport modes within the European Union.

When will eFTI become mandatory?

It is important to distinguish between obligations for public authorities and obligations for companies.

The official European Commission timetable identifies 9 July 2027 as the key date.

2020: the eFTI Regulation enters into force

Regulation (EU) 2020/1056 entered into force in August 2020.

Since then, the technical framework required for practical implementation has been progressively developed.

2025: the first implementing rules enter into force

In January 2025, the first delegated and implementing acts covering elements such as common data sets and authority access procedures entered into force.

This phase allowed Member States to continue developing the IT systems required for implementation.

2026: preparation of platforms and services

From January 2026, eFTI platforms and service providers can continue preparing their operations.

Technical specifications and the certification framework required for the full eFTI ecosystem also continue to be developed during this phase.

9 July 2027: full application

From 9 July 2027, competent authorities in EU Member States must accept regulatory information that companies make available electronically through certified eFTI platforms.

This is the key date for understanding the Regulation.

Will companies be required to use eFTI?

Not as a general rule.

The Regulation primarily places an obligation on public authorities. When an operator chooses to provide regulatory information electronically through eFTI in accordance with its requirements, the authorities must accept it.

Economic operators may continue to use other methods permitted under the applicable legislation.

However, if a company chooses to use eFTI to submit information electronically, it must follow the procedures established by the Regulation.

This includes processing data through a certified eFTI platform and complying with the relevant technical requirements.

What is an eFTI platform?

An eFTI platform is the IT system used to process regulatory information that is shared electronically under the Regulation.

Not every document management system can automatically be presented as an eFTI platform.

The system must comply with specific functional and technical requirements and go through the certification procedure established by the legislation.

Among other functions, these platforms must be able to manage data, keep it available and provide secure access when an authorised authority requests it.

What changes for carriers and logistics companies?

The impact of eFTI goes beyond reducing paper documents.

It means moving towards a model in which regulatory freight transport information is managed as structured and interoperable data.

Less repeated data entry

When systems are integrated, data that already exists in a TMS, ERP or other applications can be reused to meet regulatory information requirements.

This reduces manual tasks and transcription errors.

Greater interoperability between countries

One of the main objectives of eFTI is to prevent each Member State from requiring incompatible electronic solutions.

Common data sets and procedures make it easier for companies to work digitally with authorities in different countries.

More digital inspections

Authorities can consult the electronic information associated with the transport operation when it is required during an inspection.

The company must ensure that the information remains available and can also be displayed in a human-readable format when requested.

Greater integration between documentation and operations

Instead of managing regulatory information as isolated documents, it can be integrated with the systems used to manage orders, routes, shipments or invoicing.

The result is an information flow that is more closely connected to the real transport operation.

How are eFTI, eCMR and DeCA related?

These concepts are all related to the digitalisation of transport, but they are not equivalent.

eCMR is the electronic version of the CMR consignment note used for certain international road freight transport operations.

DeCA is the Electronic Administrative Control Document used in Spain for certain administrative transport control obligations.

eFTI, by contrast, is a European framework for making regulatory freight transport information available to authorities through structured electronic data and interoperable platforms.

eFTI therefore does not automatically replace eCMR or turn these documents into a single European document.

Instead, it establishes a common infrastructure for the electronic exchange of regulatory information.

How can companies prepare for eFTI?

Although the system is not generally mandatory for operators, European regulation is clearly moving towards greater digitalisation and interoperability of freight transport data.

Companies can start preparing by reviewing how they currently manage this information.

Digitalise data at the source

Working with structured digital data makes later integration with new platforms and standards easier.

Relying on physical documents or fragmented information makes this transition more difficult.

Avoid isolated document systems

The more connected TMS, ERP, document platforms and driver applications are, the easier it becomes to reuse existing data.

This reduces the need to reconstruct information for each administrative requirement.

Follow the development of eFTI specifications

The technical framework continues to develop ahead of full application in 2027.

Companies should follow both EU specifications and their implementation in the Member States in which they operate.

Digitalise today to prepare for connected freight transport

eFTI represents an important change in the way freight transport documentation is understood.

The objective is no longer simply to replace a paper document with a PDF. It is to make it possible for information to be exchanged as structured data between companies, platforms and public authorities.

For carriers, this makes digital processes at the source increasingly important.

Tools such as Kaira Driver help digitalise processes such as eCMR management and reduce dependence on physical documentation in daily transport operations.

This does not automatically turn a solution into a certified eFTI platform, but moving towards digital and structured information management makes it easier to adapt to an increasingly interoperable logistics ecosystem.

Frequently asked questions about eFTI

What does eFTI mean?

eFTI stands for electronic Freight Transport Information. It is the European framework governing how certain regulatory freight transport information can be made available to public authorities electronically.

Is eFTI a transport document?

No. eFTI is not a new document equivalent to the CMR or DeCA. It is a framework for managing and electronically sharing regulatory information related to freight transport.

When will authorities have to accept eFTI?

Full application is scheduled for 9 July 2027. From that date, authorities in EU Member States must accept information provided electronically in accordance with the eFTI framework.

Will carriers be required to use eFTI?

There is no general obligation requiring operators to use eFTI. However, if they choose to provide information electronically through this framework, they must use procedures and platforms that meet the applicable requirements.

Is eFTI the same as eCMR?

No. eCMR is an electronic consignment note used for certain international road freight transport operations. eFTI is a broader European framework for exchanging electronic regulatory information between operators and public authorities.