Continuous operation of the e-CMR system for domestic freight transport: Government approves decision

The uninterrupted use of the electronic consignment note (e-CMR) for domestic freight transport is now available to businesses following the adoption of a resolution by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine initiated by the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development.

The Government approved the resolution “Certain Issues of the Introduction of Electronic Consignment Notes in Domestic Freight Transport”. Its purpose is to ensure the continued use of e-CMRs after the completion of the pilot project that has been running for the past two years.

In practice, the decision establishes the legal framework required for the full operation of the e-CMR system after the pilot phase ends.

As before, the use of electronic consignment notes remains voluntary. Businesses may choose to use an electronic consignment note instead of a paper version, simplifying document management processes in freight transport.

The e-CMR system is already operational and capable of processing up to 800 electronic consignment notes per second. Seven electronic document management platform operators are connected to the production environment, while a further eleven operators are working in the testing environment and preparing for full integration into the system.

“Digitalisation of freight transport is one of the key priorities in modernising the transport sector. The e-CMR system makes freight transport more transparent, convenient and efficient for businesses, while also providing the state with modern tools for oversight and analytics. We are already seeing the market’s readiness to transition to digital documents and continue to develop the necessary regulatory framework for the system’s full operation. Alongside work on the draft law, we have created the conditions for the permanent use of e-CMRs starting now,” said Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksii Kuleba.

The introduction of e-CMRs will:

• increase transparency in the freight transport market and reduce corruption risks;
• simplify and reduce the cost of business processes by eliminating paper-based documentation;
• accelerate settlements between transport participants;
• improve control over vehicle weight parameters and help preserve road infrastructure;
• create fair and competitive conditions for transport operators;
• integrate the system with other state information resources and digital services.

The resolution defines the status of the e-CMR system, its participants, the procedures for interaction between information systems, oversight arrangements, and the functioning of the digital ecosystem for electronic document management in domestic freight transport.

The development of the e-CMR system forms part of the broader digitalisation of the transport sector and is an important step towards creating a modern, transparent and competitive freight transport market in Ukraine.

The Ministry for Communities and Territories Development is also working on draft legislation that will introduce the mandatory use of e-CMRs in freight transport.