Cabotage in transport up to 3.5 t is a subject that raises many questions among hauliers. Although it offers the possibility of increasing the number of orders, it is also one of the most controlled areas in the European Union.

What is cabotage

Cabotage consists of national transport operations within another Member State after international transport has been completed.

Cabotage rules in the EU

The haulier must meet certain conditions in order to legally carry out cabotage.

Key principles:

• previous international transport
• limited number of cabotage operations
• a fixed period of time for their implementation

Failure to comply with these rules leads to severe penalties.

Most common carrier errors

In practice, problems are mainly due to lack of knowledge or poor record-keeping.

Typical violations:

• no proof of previous transport
• exceeding time limits
• incorrect order of orders

Penalties for illegal cabotage

Fines vary from country to country, but can be up to several thousand euros. In addition, the vehicle may be temporarily taken out of service.

How to protect yourself

The best solution is to keep accurate records and use systems that monitor route and turnaround times.

Summary

Cabotage by minibus up to 3.5t can be profitable, but only with full regulatory compliance. A lack of control in this area is a real financial risk for the transport company.