From this date Federal Law No. 140-FZ of 07.06.2025 makes the execution of key transport and forwarding documents mandatory only in electronic form. Paper forms will remain only in strictly limited cases approved by the Ministry of Transport of Russia. The transition affects almost everyone who sends or receives cargo: consignors, carriers, consignees, and forwarders.

⚠️ Important change for business

The law introduces a unified system of electronic transport documents (ETD). All documents will now be exchanged through the State Information System for Electronic Transport Documents (GIS ETD). This is a true digitalization of logistics: from order creation to trip closure.

⚖️ What Federal Law No. 140-FZ provides

The law amends Federal Law No. 87-FZ "On Forwarding Activities" and other acts. Main innovations:
• Mandatory electronic format for most transport documents;
• Creation of registers of forwarders and carriers on the "GosLog" platform;
• Strengthening state control (Federal Tax Service, Ministry of Transport, Rostransnadzor and other agencies gain access to GIS ETD);
• Transfer of documents only through accredited IS ETD operators.


The state's goal → increase transparency, reduce fraud risks, speed up settlements, and simplify tax control.

📇 Who will be affected by the new rules

The new requirements apply to all participants in cargo transportation regardless of the type of activity:
• Consignors (sellers, manufacturers);
• Carriers (organizations and individual entrepreneurs with a fleet);
• Consignees (including companies simply receiving goods);
• Forwarders;
• Participants in rail and air transportation.


Exception: internal transportation for the company's own needs (without involving third parties).

🔄 Which documents are being converted to electronic format

From September 1, 2026, it is mandatory to execute in electronic form:
• Electronic transport waybill (ETW);
• Order or request for transportation;
• Instruction to the forwarder, forwarder's receipt, warehouse receipt;
• Rail waybills;
• Air waybills.


Waybill can still be issued on paper for now (no mandatory transition, but the list of mandatory electronic documents will expand).

🎁 What is ETW

Electronic transport waybill (ETW) is a structured document consisting of several titles (blocks). Each title is signed by the responsible party:
• T1 — Execution (consignor);
• T2 — Loading (carrier);
• T3 — Acceptance (consignee);
• T4 — Unloading (carrier).


The document has a unique identifier and is stored in GIS ETD.

🌎 How GIS ETD works

GIS ETD is a state platform of the Ministry of Transport, where all electronic transport documents are automatically sent. Important: you cannot connect to the system directly. Work is possible only through accredited IS ETD operators: Saby, Kontur.Diadoc, 1C-ETD, Takskom, Astral, and others. Operators provide document exchange, free roaming, and integration with accounting programs.

🗂 Register of forwarders "GosLog"

From March 1, 2026, the "GosLog" platform was launched. Existing forwarders must submit a notification by April 30, 2026. Without registration in the register, from May 1, 2026, it is prohibited to carry out forwarding activities. Carriers will register later — by March 1, 2027.

🗓 Key dates and deadlines

• March 1, 2026 → launch of the "GosLog" platform;
• By April 30, 2026 → registration of existing forwarders;
• From May 1, 2026 → prohibition of activities without registration in the register;
• September 1, 2026 → mandatory transition to electronic documents;
• March 1, 2027 → mandatory registration of carriers.

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➡️ Continued in the next post

We will analyze the most important practical points: what businesses need to do right now, what risks await if requirements are not met, real advantages of EDI, and a ready step-by-step checklist for preparation before September 1, 2026. Don't miss the second part!