iELO

The Envelope Logistique Obligatoire (ELO) is a mandatory digital customs system implemented by French Customs for all road freight crossing between the UK and France via Eurotunnel or Ro-Ro ferries. It applies to both loaded and empty vehicles. The ELO consolidates all transport and customs documents including MRNs, Entry Summary Declarations (ENS/ICS2), and vehicle crossing details into a single barcode that must be presented at check-in. iELO automates this entire process using AI, so your vehicles are always ready to board.

The ELO system was introduced by French Customs to allow border agents to perform quick pre-arrival risk checks on vehicles before they reach the port. It works similarly to the UK’s Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) and the Goods Movement Reference (GMR). By grouping all declaration references into a single digital envelope, ELO eliminates manual driver questioning at check-in and reduces congestion at major crossing points like Dover and Calais.

No. ELO and GMR (Goods Movement Reference via UK GVMS) are completely separate, unconnected systems. If you are moving goods from the UK to France, you need a valid ELO. If you are moving goods from France to the UK, you also need a valid GMR. Both are required for full compliance on UK-France cross-border trade. iCustoms supports both ELO and GVMS through its product suite.

The haulier or transport operator is responsible for creating and managing the ELO before arriving at the port. Freight forwarders and customs agents can also create ELOs on behalf of their clients. iELO is built specifically for these users, automating the process so that no technical knowledge is required and no declarations are missed.

A valid ELO groups together all of the following: Movement Reference Numbers (MRNs) from import, export, and transit declarations; Entry Summary Declarations (ENS/ICS2); safety and security references; and vehicle and crossing details such as the registration number, ferry departure time, and route. iELO automatically collects and validates all of these elements before generating the compliant ELO barcode.

iELO simplifies the process into four steps. First, it gathers all MRNs and declaration references from your existing systems. Second, the AI validates and bundles them into a compliant ELO. Third, it submits the ELO to French customs and generates the official barcode. Fourth, the driver presents the barcode at ferry or Eurotunnel check-in alongside their GMR. The entire process takes seconds and requires no manual data entry.

At check-in, the driver presents the ELO barcode to the ferry operator or Eurotunnel check-in staff. French border agents use this barcode to verify that all cargo on the vehicle is fully declared and to perform pre-arrival risk assessment. Vehicles with a valid, complete ELO pass through quickly. Those without one, or with an incomplete ELO, face delays or may be denied boarding entirely.

Yes. ELO remains a live, mandatory requirement for all road freight crossing between the UK and France. French Customs actively enforce it at Eurotunnel and Ro-Ro ferry terminals. Non-compliance results in vehicles being held or turned away at the port. iELO ensures every submission is complete and compliant so enforcement is never a risk for your operation.

Yes. iELO supports ELO creation and submission for all UK-France road freight routes, whether via Eurotunnel or Ro-Ro ferry services. It also handles both loaded and empty vehicles, meaning your entire fleet is covered regardless of the crossing point or cargo status.

Manual ELO creation requires logging into authorised customs portals, manually gathering and inputting all declaration references, and checking for errors before submission. This is time-consuming and prone to mistakes that cause delays. iELO automates the entire process by pulling data directly from your systems, validating all references with AI, and submitting the ELO in seconds, reducing processing time significantly and eliminating the errors that lead to fines or denied boarding.