On September 1, 2026, the mandatory use of electronic waybills (ETrN) will come into force in Russia, an important change in logistics that can reverse the usual processes of cargo transportation. This rule is enshrined in Law No. 140-FZ and will affect all participants in the chain: senders, carriers, forwarders and recipients of goods.
The transition to ETrN is not just the replacement of a paper document with an electronic one, but a large—scale digitalization of the industry. It is estimated that by the end of 2025, about 30% of all shipments will be accompanied by an ETRN, and in 2026 this figure may approach 100%.
However, experts point out many barriers. Elena Tkachenko, head of the EDI Expert Council, states that the main problem is the low awareness of business and the lack of clear regulations, especially in multilateral transactions involving the carrier, sender and recipient.
Tatyana Bazankova from MTS PJSC emphasizes that in real conditions logistics requires work "on the spot" — in the field, via mobile devices, and this creates difficulties in the absence of stable communication or a single platform.
Yulia Kondratieva from X5 Retail Group adds that the implementation is slowed down not because of technology, but because of organizational gaps: there are no rules for actions in case of discrepancies in cargo, during non-working hours or in the absence of a QR code for leaving the territory.
Despite the difficulties, digitalization promises serious benefits. According to the government's calculations, the introduction of ETRN will reduce the cost of paperwork by 90%, speed up cargo clearance and reduce the number of errors. The economic effect may reach 170 billion rubles.
Yan Saveliev from the ROSEU Analytical Center believes that business is ready for change, but government support is needed, especially in terms of methodological recommendations, adaptation of software solutions and staff training.
For small and medium—sized businesses, the risks are particularly high, from loss of competitiveness to fines for non-compliance. Therefore, it is worth starting preparations today.
The key platform for discussing the reform will be the EDI International Forum, which will be held in November 2025 in Moscow. Here, experts, officials and representatives of logistics companies will discuss the details of the transition and share practical solutions.
