Editorial update: 2 October 2026. The original article date is retained; the regulatory and service information below has been updated for this translation.
Cabotage is domestic transport in another country after an international transport operation has been completed. It allows companies providing transport, freight forwarding and logistics services to use their fleets more effectively and reduce empty running, but it can also be controversial. To ensure cabotage planning complies with the law, the rules must be followed strictly. Below, we explain how to carry out lawful cabotage step by step and avoid penalties.
Rules for lawful cabotage in Europe
Before planning a route involving cabotage, make sure you meet the basic requirements of EU rules under Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009. These are the main principles of lawful cabotage:
After all goods from the incoming international carriage have been unloaded, the same motor vehicle may perform up to 3 cabotage operations within 7 days. In another Member State entered empty, the limit is one operation within 3 days of entry, also within that overall 7-day window and the total of three operations. Cabotage can start on the international unloading day; the 7-day deadline is counted from the following day. The separate 4-day cooling-off rule must also be met.
The 4-day cooling-off period applies to the same motor vehicle in the same Member State after a cabotage period. Count from 00:00 on the day after the last cabotage unloading, not from the time of crossing the border. The deadline calculation must also account for weekends and public holidays under Regulation 1182/71. During the break, international transport, transit or remaining in that country is possible; a new cabotage period requires the break to have ended and a qualifying incoming international carriage.
Meeting these requirements is essential for cabotage to be lawful. If you are looking for a reliable partner for lawful cabotage transport in the EU, see our Cabotage in the European Union service.
Planning cabotage step by step
Once you know the rules, you can start planning cabotage. These are the key steps:
- Plan an international transport operation as the basis for cabotage. The vehicle must first deliver a load from Poland or another country to the chosen country. Cabotage can begin only once that transport has been completed.
- Choose cabotage loads and plan the route. Select domestic loads in the country where cabotage will take place. Make sure the orders can be completed within the maximum of 3 cabotage operations / 7 days. Arrange the sequence and delivery dates so the final cabotage operation finishes before the period expires. The same limits also cover lighter vehicles: cabotage with vans up to 3.5 tonnes follows the same rules.
- Prepare the required cabotage documents. Make sure the driver carries a complete set of documents confirming the transport operations. The main documents are the CMR consignment note for the completed international transport and separate consignment notes or CMR documents for each cabotage operation. A certified copy of the carrier’s Community licence is also required. Documentation is essential: it confirms the lawfulness of the transport during an inspection.
For posted drivers within Directive 2020/1057, submit the declaration through the EU road-transport portal connected to IMI, at the latest when the posting starts, and keep it up to date. A declaration covers a driver, a host country and the declared period; it is not a separate notification of every individual load. Cabotage and cross-trade generally involve posting; bilateral transport and transit have exemptions. National portals such as SIPSI or MiLoG are not the notification channel for EU operators within this directive.
The 4-day cooling-off period applies to the same motor vehicle in the same Member State after a cabotage period. Count from 00:00 on the day after the last cabotage unloading, not from the time of crossing the border. The deadline calculation must also account for weekends and public holidays under Regulation 1182/71. During the break, international transport, transit or remaining in that country is possible; a new cabotage period requires the break to have ended and a qualifying incoming international carriage.
Yes. The AMG website lets you prepare a transport enquiry step by step, with the route, load and dates. Submitting an enquiry does not automatically confirm a booking: price, availability and the final transport terms must be agreed with the team. The form helps provide complete information; no fixed completion time is promised.
Discuss the route, load and documentation with AMG-Trans before departure. Checking the sequence of operations, mass limits, posting and driving-time obligations helps reduce compliance risks. An enquiry form or planning tool supports this work; it does not replace the carrier’s assessment or guarantee that an inspection will find no infringement.
see how AMG-Trans plans cabotage in accordance with the rules
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do you plan lawful cabotage in Germany?
After all goods from the incoming international carriage have been unloaded, the same motor vehicle may perform up to 3 cabotage operations within 7 days. In another Member State entered empty, the limit is one operation within 3 days of entry, also within that overall 7-day window and the total of three operations. Cabotage can start on the international unloading day; the 7-day deadline is counted from the following day. The separate 4-day cooling-off rule must also be met.
The 4-day cooling-off period applies to the same motor vehicle in the same Member State after a cabotage period. Count from 00:00 on the day after the last cabotage unloading, not from the time of crossing the border. The deadline calculation must also account for weekends and public holidays under Regulation 1182/71. During the break, international transport, transit or remaining in that country is possible; a new cabotage period requires the break to have ended and a qualifying incoming international carriage.
For posted drivers within Directive 2020/1057, submit the declaration through the EU road-transport portal connected to IMI, at the latest when the posting starts, and keep it up to date. A declaration covers a driver, a host country and the declared period; it is not a separate notification of every individual load. Cabotage and cross-trade generally involve posting; bilateral transport and transit have exemptions. National portals such as SIPSI or MiLoG are not the notification channel for EU operators within this directive.
How many operations can you carry out, and how do you count them?
After all goods from the incoming international carriage have been unloaded, the same motor vehicle may perform up to 3 cabotage operations within 7 days. In another Member State entered empty, the limit is one operation within 3 days of entry, also within that overall 7-day window and the total of three operations. Cabotage can start on the international unloading day; the 7-day deadline is counted from the following day. The separate 4-day cooling-off rule must also be met.
The 4-day cooling-off period applies to the same motor vehicle in the same Member State after a cabotage period. Count from 00:00 on the day after the last cabotage unloading, not from the time of crossing the border. The deadline calculation must also account for weekends and public holidays under Regulation 1182/71. During the break, international transport, transit or remaining in that country is possible; a new cabotage period requires the break to have ended and a qualifying incoming international carriage.
What documents must the driver carry?
Keep evidence of the preceding international carriage and every cabotage operation, a certified copy of the Community licence where required, and the driver’s and vehicle’s documents. For operations within scope, also provide the posting declaration and tachograph records. The actual obligations depend on the vehicle, employment relationship and operation, not just the country’s minimum-wage system.
How can you avoid a cabotage planning mistake?
Plan the route carefully and stay within the limits. Record the international unloading date and each cabotage operation so you know the last permissible transport date and how many operations have already been completed. Avoid common mistakes: do not schedule a fourth operation or exceed the 7-day deadline. If in doubt, discuss your plan with an expert.
Does AMG Trans provide support with cabotage planning?
Discuss the route, load and documentation with AMG-Trans before departure. Checking the sequence of operations, mass limits, posting and driving-time obligations helps reduce compliance risks. An enquiry form or planning tool supports this work; it does not replace the carrier’s assessment or guarantee that an inspection will find no infringement.
Yes. The AMG website lets you prepare a transport enquiry step by step, with the route, load and dates. Submitting an enquiry does not automatically confirm a booking: price, availability and the final transport terms must be agreed with the team. The form helps provide complete information; no fixed completion time is promised.
Sources checked for this update: EU · 1072/2009 · EU · IMI