UK approves e-CMR protocol

Posted on Thursday, January 9th by

UK imports and exports can be done with digital consignment notes, as e-CMR protocol will be approved.

Implementing the e-CMR protocol has already been a very important topic, especially after the international pilot project with the TransFollow platform. Brian Yeardley Continental in collaboration with a few associations, such as the Freight Transport Association, and under the supervision of the UK Ministry of Transport has been working on this project, and its approval was only a question of time. By approving the new protocol, the use of e-CMRs is now accepted, and the paper consignment notes are not imperative anymore.

As the logistics sector is evolving, the digitalisation of the consignment note was extremely necessary. Users will have access to real-time visibility for all business partners, and to accurate updates without spending time in organising documents. This is also followed by administrative cost-saving and improves the supply chain. The UK is not the first country to benefit from the ratification: “With the approval of the e-CMR protocol by Portugal in September, the UK is the 24th country to sign, enlarging the area to use digital consignment notes, adding important players to the potential digital network. International companies, especially from the Netherlands, who are currently seen as front runners on using digital consignment notes, can start on digitising transports with yet another country straight away.”, said Hans Lip, International Sales Manager at TransFollow.

Domestic and international users will benefit from simplified processes when it comes to border-crossing transports within and outside of the EU. The TransFollow e-CMR can, for example, be used as reliable proof on intra-community transports to apply the VAT zero tax rate and other administrative tasks occurring on international transports.

Source: Forwarder Magazine