No more documents: Freight transport in Albania will move to the electronic system

The era of truck drivers and logistics companies traveling with folders full of physical documents, invoices and customs stamps appears to be coming to an end. The Albanian government has prepared the new draft law “On Electronic Freight Transport Information” (eFTI), a strategic move aimed at the full digitalization of one of the most vital sectors of the economy.

The draft law, proposed by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation and to be implemented on the ground by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, is not simply an internal digitalization initiative, but an obligation to align with European Union Regulation (2020/1056). This step brings Albania closer to the European single market, paving the way for faster, safer and lower-cost transport.

What changes for businesses and the state?

The core of this draft law is the obligation for state institutions from Customs and Tax authorities to the Traffic Police to legally accept and recognize transport documentation in a fully electronic format.

To make this possible, dedicated eFTI (Electronic Freight Transport Information) platforms will be established. Each economic operator will upload cargo data to these certified platforms. During a road inspection or at a border crossing point, authorities will no longer request physical papers but will access the encrypted information directly from the system.

A blow against informality and lower costs

Beyond simplifying procedures, the law is seen as a powerful tool to increase transparency and combat informality. Since data will be entered into a protected central system, the manipulation of invoices, changes to the weight of goods or potential evasion at customs points becomes almost impossible. Every action on the platform leaves a “digital trace” (log-op) that can be audited at any time.

On the other hand, the benefit for businesses, especially Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) that dominate this sector, is direct. Reducing waiting times at borders and eliminating administrative costs for printing and managing thousands of papers will increase the competitiveness of Albanian operators in the region and beyond.

Implementation challenges and cybersecurity

Despite the enthusiasm for digitalization, implementation challenges remain. Creating such infrastructure requires close cooperation between the National Agency for Information Society, the National Cyber Security Authority and line ministries. Commercial data is highly sensitive, and the draft law provides strict conditions to protect it from cyberattacks or unauthorized access.

The platforms that will provide this service will undergo strict evaluation and will be certified by independent bodies, ensuring that every “byte” of transported information is as protected as the physical goods in the truck itself.

Albania now faces the difficult task of approving the secondary legislation within the next six months and building the technical infrastructure. If everything goes according to plan, the country’s roads will not only transport goods, but will also become part of a true European digital highway.

“KORÇA BOOM”