After talks with the transport industry and the European Commission, the Danish Transport Authority updated its cabotage rules. The key change: empty journeys no longer require a CMR as long as other documents prove the connection to an active transport contract.
Key Updates:
- Empty hauls aren’t counted as separate cabotage if tied to a broader transport task.
- Acceptable documents include agreements or contracts confirming return logistics or pallet systems.
- Examples include: returning empty pallets, racks, or containers as part of a formal agreement.
Examples in Action:
- A Dutch truck delivers flowers, then transports empty racks as part of a return system — the whole trip counts as one cabotage operation.
- A German truck offloads goods and picks up empty pallets — with proof, this counts under the same operation.
Takeaways for Carriers:
- CMR isn’t mandatory for every empty run.
- Always document the purpose of empty transports.
- No contract = no legal cabotage.
- You’re still limited to three cabotage operations in seven days — unless the trip qualifies as part of an ongoing transport chain.
