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Obligatory Logistics Envelope
European Union customs authorities introduced the upgraded Import Control System (ICS2) during 2025/6.
The French customs authorities made the Electronic Logistics Envelope (ELO) mandatory in April 2026.

Harbour Shipping was in at the beginning of the development process for these new systems and helped to shape them thanks to our real world day-to-day experience gathered from our wide range of services. As many things are now mandatory, please ensure you act today to avoid being non-compliant when you travel. Harbour Shipping ensures our clients have peace of mind that their ELOs are completed, lodged and validated, so drivers don't get stuck at the border. 
No ELO = No Crossing into France!

Harbour Shipping worked with French authorities to help our clients and the wider industry.

Because of the range of services we offer our clients in the real everyday world, we often spot issues before the government departments that are implementing new customs and other freight processes.
Of course, we’ve worked with the British government and HMRC for years. But we also worked with high-level French customs authorities for many months as they introduced ICS2 and formulated their Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO).

We pointed out some major omissions (gaps) in the ELO development and the French authorities listened and acted, as they incorporated the features before ELO launched. That means those travelling with ATA carnets or travelling with empty packing can use easy ‘toggle’ buttons to declare their journeys, with transport contracts or without:
  • Transporting goods under ATA carnet (or TIR), covered by a transport contract or not.
  • Transporting only empty pallets or packaging, covered by a transport contract or not.
  • Transporting goods under a postal CN label
** Crucially, the French customs authorities have also answered our specific question about resilience, by implementing a fix for ICS2 slowdowns. This means that we will still be able to create an ELO and close ELO in the event of an ICS2 slowdown.

What is the Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO)?

The ELO (Enveloppe Logistique Obligatoire) is a customs tool introduced by the French Customs Authority (DGDDI) in April 2026 to streamline and secure border crossings for Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) freight transport between France and the United Kingdom.

  • It consists of a single barcode, which consolidates all required customs references and declarations (e.g. ENS, export, transit, import) for a truck crossing the border.
  • It applies to both loaded and empty trucks.
  • The ELO only includes French and EU formalities — UK formalities (like the GMR) remain separate.
 

How Does It Work?

  1. Created Before Border Crossing
    • The ELO must be created before the truck arrives at the border, by a designated operator (e.g., carrier, forwarder, customs agent).
  2. What Must Be Included in the ELO?
    • Direction of travel (EU→UK or UK→EU)
    • Whether the truck is loaded or empty
    • For loaded trucks:
      • ENS reference (via ICS2 for inbound EU freight)
      • Export, transit, or import declarations, depending on the direction
    • UK procedures (e.g., GMR) are not included in the ELO — they remain separate and required.
  3. One ELO per Transport Unit (Truck)
    • Only one ELO per truck is allowed. No multiple envelopes.
  4. Account Needed on douane.gouv.fr
    • The ELO must be created through an account on the French Customs portal.
    • Creating an account is free and does not require an EORI or French SIRET number.
 

Why Use ELO?

  • Faster and smoother customs clearance at French ports.
  • Centralizes and standardizes customs data with a single barcode.
  • Supports smart border crossings by linking truck license plates with customs data in advance.
  • Helps avoid delays or rejections at the border.
 

Technical Notes

  • For trucks entering the EU from the UK, an ENS (Entry Summary Declaration) must be submitted via ICS2 and referenced in the ELO.
  • The ELO replaces older logistics envelopes — there is no dual system.
  • UK-side procedures are still required:
    • A valid GMR (Goods Movement Reference) is still necessary when entering the UK.
 

Useful Resources

 

Key Takeaways

  • From April 2026, ELO became mandatory for all Ro-Ro traffic between France and the UK.
  • Each truck must have one ELO generated before arrival at the port.
  • ELO must include French/EU customs data; UK data (e.g., GMR) is managed separately.
  • Truckers and logistics operators must register an account at douane.gouv.fr to generate ELOs.
  • Integration with ICS2 is required for shipments entering the EU from the UK.


For more information call George Bowen on +44 (0) 1304 200907 or email [email protected]