What foreign carriers must know about cabotage in Germany

Germany allows a maximum of three cabotage operations within seven days after an international carriage into its territory under the EU framework; carriers must document the preceding cross-border leg and the sequence of domestic moves to demonstrate compliance to German authorities.

Regulatory framework and immediate obligations

Cabotage operations performed in Germany by carriers licensed in the EU fall under EU Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009 and are subject to national enforcement. For every cabotage sequence the carrier must be able to present records proving the international entry: transport orders, bills of lading or CMR notes, vehicle registration, and driver documents. Inspections by Bundesamt für Güterverkehr (BAG) and police commonly verify the chain of operations, tachograph records, and the contemporaneous paperwork.

Who can perform cabotage in Germany?

EU-licensed carriers with a Community licence can perform cabotage operations in Germany subject to the three-in-seven-days rule. Carriers from outside the EU face additional restrictions: non-EU operators generally cannot exercise unrestricted cabotage and must verify whether bilateral agreements or specific national permits apply. When in doubt, the safest approach is to obtain prior written authorization or to work via an EU-based subcontractor.

Key documentation to carry on board

• CMR consignment note or equivalent transport order showing the inbound international leg and the subsequent domestic moves;
• Community licence or national operating licence for EU carriers;
• Driver’s ID, licence and tachograph records (digital download or printout for the relevant period);
• Vehicle registration and insurance papers;
• Invoices, delivery notes and fuel receipts that can corroborate dates and locations of operations;
• Subcontracting contracts or letters of engagement when work is outsourced.

Operational limits and compliance best practices

Beyond the numerical limit of cabotage operations, compliance requires alignment with other transport rules: driver working-time regulations, tachograph usage and record-keeping, and customs documentation where international freight crosses external EU borders. Carriers should implement a compliance checklist and digital logging to reduce inspection risk.

Recommended pre-trip checklist

• Confirm licence status and validity for all vehicles.
• Download and store tachograph files for the whole trip.
• Carry original or digital copies of CMRs and transport orders proving the international leg.
• Verify insurance and vehicle registration match the operating country rules.
• Ensure drivers are briefed on permissible cabotage limits and required documentation.

Documentation table: what to show during an inspection

Document	Purpose	Suggested retention period
CMR / consignment notes	Prove sequence of international entry and domestic moves	12 months
Community licence / operating permit	Authorize international and cabotage operations	Duration of operations + 12 months
Tachograph records	Verify driving hours and trip chronology	12–24 months depending on national rules
Driver ID and licence	Establish identity and driver eligibility	While employed/contracted

Enforcement, penalties and practical risks

German enforcement focuses on documentation and electronic records. Non-compliance can lead to administrative fines, temporary prohibition from operations in Germany, vehicle immobilisation or the requirement to return cargo to the point of entry. Repeated infringements increase scrutiny, delays and operating costs. Maintaining auditable records and rapid access to digital files significantly reduces the risk of costly inspections and operational interruption.

Common compliance failures

• Missing or incomplete CMR notes that fail to demonstrate a prior international leg;
• Insufficient tachograph data for the inbound international operation;
• Using non-EU vehicles or operators without checking bilateral permissions;
• Inadequate record retention or inability to present documents during roadside checks.

Practical strategies to manage cabotage exposure

Operational discipline and digital systems are the most effective mitigation measures. Use a transport management system (TMS) that flags cabotage events, automates tachograph downloads, and ties consignment documents to GPS traces. Contractual clauses with shippers and subcontractors should require documentary proof for every move and allocation of responsibility for regulatory compliance.

Checklist for risk reduction

• Integrate document scanning and central storage accessible by drivers and operations staff.
• Train drivers on the sequence of documents needed at roadside checks.
• Schedule quick audits of cabotage sequences after any cross-border delivery.
• Insure against administrative penalties where available in liability policies.

How GetTransport helps carriers adapt and profit

GetTransport provides a platform that supports carriers operating under cabotage constraints by presenting verified orders, digital document templates, and a marketplace that lets carriers choose the most profitable assignments. The platform’s technology can reduce idle miles by matching inbound cross-border jobs with local domestic legs that comply with cabotage limits, while in-platform document storage helps ensure that evidence of the international leg and subsequent domestic operations is available during inspections.

By offering flexible order selection, rate transparency and simple tools for record-keeping, GetTransport enables carriers to influence their income directly and minimise dependence on large corporate routing policies. Integration with route planning and telematics further reduces the risk of non-compliance and supports compliant route sequencing to maximize permitted cabotage opportunities.

Highlights and practical takeaway

Understanding cabotage is essential for operational continuity in Germany: the three-in-seven-days limit, strong documentation requirements and frequent roadside checks shape daily decision-making. While online reviews and feedback offer guidance, there is no substitute for direct operational experience. On GetTransport.com you can order your cargo transportation at the best prices globally at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments. Emphasizing transparency, convenience, and broad choice, GetTransport connects carriers with verified shipments and supports compliant operations. Join GetTransport.com and start receiving verified container freight requests worldwide GetTransport.com.com

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Final summary

Cabotage in Germany requires strict adherence to the EU three-in-seven-days rule, robust onboard documentation, accurate tachograph and driver records, and awareness of additional restrictions for non-EU operators. Operational tools — a TMS, digital document storage and verified freight marketplaces — reduce inspection risk and unlock legitimate cabotage opportunities. GetTransport.com aligns with these needs by offering verified container freight requests, flexible order selection, document support and route-matching technology. Carriers using GetTransport can streamline container freight, container trucking and container transport operations, optimise cargo and shipment planning, and reduce exposure to fines and delays.

In short, careful planning, auditable documentation and the right technology partner turn cabotage from a regulatory burden into manageable commercial opportunity. GetTransport.com delivers an efficient, cost-effective and convenient transportation solution that simplifies logistics and meets diverse international and domestic transport needs reliably.