The ELO (Enveloppe logistique obligatoire) system will become mandatory from 20 April 2026, marking an important change for economic operators and those involved in cross-border freight movements. 

This is essentially a digital “logistics envelope” system, that groups together all customs and transport documents for a shipment or vehicle before it reaches the French border. 

Exporting companies will need to ensure their cargo has valid ELOs before transit.  If used correctly the system should help reduce congestion at ports like Port of Calais and Port of Dunkirk and enable drive through border processing. 

To support businesses as they implement this transition, French Customs has issued a formal notice to economic operators alongside a comprehensive set of communication and guidance materials. The materials made available in English include:

• A formal notice to economic operators outlining the requirement and scope of ELO 
• An ELO user guide providing practical information on the system 
• A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document addressing common queries 
• A multilingual poster for lorry drivers, aimed at on-the-ground awareness 
• A multilingual flyer for lorry drivers, supporting consistent messaging across borders 

Additional resources, available in both English and French, can be accessed via the French Customs website at: https://www.douane.gouv.fr/ELO