Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO): Smoother GB-France Movements
- Freya Jane
- Director of Customer's Success
Moving goods between Great Britain and France or vice versa? It is very stressful for the driver or haulier. They have to face long lines at the borders, tons of questions from customs officers, and digging through documents. One small error, and you end up with extra costs or delays.
But here’s the good news: change is on the way.
France is rolling out something called the Obligatory Logistics Envelope, or ELO for short.
Consider it a smart, digital folder that collects all pertinent information and documents about a shipment before the truck hits the border.
Instead of the driver having to answer everything on the spot, the border agents can just look it up. Quick, simple, done.
So, what’s this all about? Let’s understand.
What is Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO)?
The Enveloppe Logistique Obligatoire (ELO) is part of France’s Smart Border system. It’s designed to bring together all the critical documents and data for a cross-border shipment into a single digital envelope. It includes customs declarations, transport documents, vehicle details, and security information.
In simple terms, instead of drivers answering a series of questions at the French border or fumbling through piles of papers, they present a single ELO reference. This reference links to a pre-aggregated digital file that customs officers can access directly, saving time and reducing errors.
When will the ELO be implemented?
French Customs formally introduced the Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO) system on April 28, 2025. However, it will be operational on September 1, 2025. After this date, ELO will be required for all goods crossing the smart border between France and the UK.
Hauliers, exporters, and freight forwarders have a few months during this transition time to become acquainted with the system, create Prodouane accounts, and work with partners to make sure everything is ready before the deadline.
Why do we need the ELO?
Today, when a driver crosses the Brexit border using the Smart Border system, they typically interact directly with border officers. They’re asked to:
- Confirm what cargo they’re carrying
- Show custom declaration or safety and security declarations like ENS or Entry Summary Declarations
- Provide the transport bill or consignment note (CMR)
- Share vehicle and driver details
- Answer security or inspection-related questions
This process can be time-consuming and stressful, especially when documents are incomplete or information is missing. Every delay adds up not just in wasted time but also in money, fuel, and missed delivery windows.
The ELO addresses these pain points by gathering all the necessary answers and documents in advance. Customs formalities are still submitted as usual, but the pairing questions and declaration references are now sent to the ELO creator (often the freight forwarder or exporter), who groups everything together before the truck reaches the border.
Who is responsible for the ELO?
It is not the driver’s responsibility to create the ELO barcode. Rather, each economic operator, usually a freight forwarder or haulier, must appoint an ELO creator.
This person will collect all required customs declarations and data from logistics partners and enter it into the ELO system through the Prodouane interface of French Customs.
Drivers will only need to present the generated barcode at the border, simplifying their responsibilities and reducing time spent at customs checkpoints.
How does the ELO work?
Here’s how the ELO process works in practice:
- Step 1: The exporter or freight forwarder prepares all necessary documents, including customs declarations, transport notes, vehicle details, and security information.
- Step 2: These documents are grouped into the digital ELO system, which generates a unique ELO reference number.
- Step 3: The haulier or driver provides this ELO reference when arriving at the French border.
Step 4: Customs officers access the pre-submitted data digitally, meaning drivers don’t have to manually answer the usual questions or present physical documents on-site.
How does the ELO system benefit people moving goods between GB and France?
The ELO provides a number of advantages for businesses transporting goods between Great Britain and France:
Faster border crossings
All of the documents and data required for the border crossing (ENS, import, export, and transit declarations) will be merged into a single barcode, which the lorry driver must provide at the port. This will allow the vehicle and declarations to be “linked” together.
Drivers will no longer have to wait at the border for manual document checks. With ELO, everything customs officers need is already submitted and accessible.
Simplified paperwork
Instead of multiple physical documents, companies submit one digital “logistics envelope,” reducing the chance of errors or missing information.
Improved accuracy and compliance
Pre-aggregating data ensures that all necessary declarations and references are included, helping businesses stay compliant with customs regulations.
Enhanced visibility for the ELO creator
The ELO creator can see the progress of the goods across the Smart Border. once registering themselves on douane.gouv.fr.
Additionally, the ELO creator will have the ability to navigate ELOs that have already been created.
Wrapping up
The Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO) is a game-changer for anyone shipping products between France and Great Britain.
ELO spares drivers from the typical border hassles by compiling all the documentation and declarations in advance. This eliminates the need to rush at the last minute, hunting for missing documents, and enduring longer waits.
It’s not just about speed for exporters, goods forwarders, and hauliers; it’s also about improved compliance, streamlined processes, and fewer expensive delays.
So, set your processes for ELO today and ensure smoother shipments!
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