GosLog and the unified register of carriers: who will be affected and what to prepare for
Over the past two years, the government has been striving to bring logistics out of the shadows and make it transparent. Special attention is paid to the digitalization of the industry. One of the key projects in this area is the unified register of cargo carriers, which will operate under the GosLog system.
We understand point by point what this project is, when it is planned to be launched and how it will affect the market.
1. What is known about the unified register?
In July 2024, the State Duma approved a draft law on the creation of a register of cargo carriers — so far in the first reading. Initially, it was planned to launch it from March 1, 2025, but, apparently, the deadlines have shifted. Apparently, a registry with full information about each transport company and all domestic transportation should be expected in 2026.
Let's make a reservation right away — the register should apply only to those carriers that carry out commercial transportation on vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tons (both individual entrepreneurs and legal entities). Companies that are engaged in international logistics or transportation for their own needs will be able to operate without having to register in the registry.
A separate register is being prepared for freight forwarders.
2. How are the registry and the GosLog system related?
The register of translators will operate within the framework of the GosLog system, which is planned to be implemented in stages until 2030. In addition to the registry, GosLog will include 12 services for all participants in logistics processes and a platform with data on carriers, vehicles, routes and documentation. GosLog will also integrate with similar systems in China and India, which should simplify international transportation.
According to Polina Davydova, director of the Digital Transport and Logistics Association, 3 of the 12 promised services should be fully launched in the first half of 2025.:
— "Single Window" is a service where market participants will be able to upload documents for the Federal Customs Service, the Federal Tax Service, the Rosselkhoznadzor and other departments. At first, it will work in a test format through Public Services.
— "Digital profile of the platform participant" is a service where customers will be able to select carriers according to specified parameters.
— "Traceability" is a service that provides customers with control over the movement of cargo.
3. How will the register of carriers function and when will it be introduced?
Carriers will be required to post information in the registry:
· about all trucks in the fleet weighing more than 3.5 tons (registration number, make, model, CTP policy number and lease or lease agreement if the car does not belong to the company);
· about the goods that are transported;
· about the territories where they work.
After registration in the registry, the carrier will receive a registration number. Information about the company will be publicly available, with the exception of the IP address.
There is no exact date for the launch of the registry — now they are talking about the launch in early 2026. Like GosLog, it will be implemented in stages. Perhaps more precise dates will be known after the second reading of the bill in the State Duma. There is also a possibility that some of the provisions may change significantly by the time the law is passed.
Olga Fedotkina, Executive Director of the National Union of Experts in the Field of Transport and Logistics, believes that the introduction of such strict regulation should be phased. Obviously, a transition period of at least two years is needed. Otherwise, it can lead to negative consequences.
4. What will change for carriers?
Firstly, companies that are not registered in the registry will not be able to carry out commercial transportation. Work without entering into the database will be possible only for the company's own needs and only if there are supporting documents.
Secondly, not all carriers will be able to register in the registry. It is necessary to meet the criteria of the legislator — companies must maintain vehicles in good technical condition and conduct medical examinations of drivers. Also:
· the company should not have debts on taxes and fees;
· the owner and the head of the transport company should not have valid criminal records for economic, environmental and labor crimes, as well as criminal records for traffic violations.;
· the company's staff must have at least one specialist responsible for compliance with traffic safety regulations.
The self-employed are planned to be allowed to carry out commercial transportation only by vehicles weighing from 2.5 to 3.5 tons.
Thirdly, if the carrier hides information about a vehicle, it will be excluded from the register. The same applies in cases where the truck driver becomes the culprit of a fatal accident.
Violators face fines:
· for officials — from 50 to 100 thousand rubles.;
· for legal entities — from 200 to 400 thousand rubles.
Also, for violations, the company may lose the right to commercial transportation for a period of 6 to 12 months.
5. What is the registry for?
The main goal of the project is to be able to regulate cargo transportation at the state level. Experts believe that thanks to the new rules, cargo carriers will become more disciplined.
Olga Fedotkina says that the main task of the registry is to calculate how many carriers operate on the market. If the exact volume of the Russian fleet and the conditions under which carriers own it are known, the market will become much more transparent. Experts predict that unscrupulous players will leave the market, and it will become more convenient to manage traffic flow.
In the explanatory note, the authors point out the following advantages of the registry for the market:
· The fight against "gray" schemes: According to the authors, about 60% of cargo transportation in the Russian Federation is carried out "in gray" to reduce tax obligations. It is assumed that the new law will help to avoid tax evasion. According to experts, this will allow the budget to collect an additional 450 billion rubles a year.
· Reducing accidents: The Registry will help reduce the number of accidents involving trucks. According to the authors, the increase in accidents is due to the abolition of mandatory licensing in 2008 - now it is enough for the carrier to notify the authorities about the start of its activities. But according to the relevant committee of the State Duma, only 20% of owners do this. The activities of other transport companies remain virtually uncontrolled. The registry will make it possible to monitor compliance with the requirements for the technical condition of vehicles, driver qualifications and compliance with traffic rules.
· Whitewashing the market: Large transport companies expect that the law will help eliminate unfair competition. According to their representatives, most of the small carriers do not pay taxes, which greatly underestimates the cost of their services and creates unfavorable conditions for large carriers. They believe that the registry will oblige everyone to play by the general rules, and those who are not ready for this will be forced to leave the market.
6. The opportunities that the registry should provide to market players:
· Electronic document management: A single digital platform will simplify and accelerate document management, including in the international sector. There are plans to unify the registration of permits, waybills and other documents necessary for transportation. The authors also hope to reduce the time of customs clearance.
· Increased safety: The use of electronic navigation seals will allow tracking the movement of goods.
· Improving the quality of services: The availability of information about carriers in the registry will allow cargo owners to choose reliable suppliers.
7. Risks for carriers
The bill has caused heated discussions in the industry. Some companies see new opportunities in the project, while others see risks.
Many market participants fear that the introduction of the registry will entail additional administrative and financial burdens. Updating the fleet and changing the work with documents can lead to a decrease in the profitability of small businesses, the departure of some players, an increase in freight tariffs and, as a result, an increase in the cost of a grocery basket.
Elena Fanayeva, an expert in the field of transport, believes that there are a number of controversial provisions in the draft law. She notes that the unified register is disguised licensing, despite the fact that transportation is an unlicensed activity. According to Elena, a solution has already been found to whitewash the business — the GIS EPD system, which has been operating since 2022. The expert believes that almost every cargo carrier has a risk of exclusion and fears that if the bill is not finalized, there will eventually be no one to carry the goods.
Transport lawyer Sergey Bogatov believes:
In order for everyone to be satisfied with the register of cargo carriers, we need to take a closer look at the realities of the transportation market. This is especially true for the rules of exclusion from the register and other penalties. If the carrier had a criminal record, ideally it is necessary to clarify what exactly he was tried for, and make a decision based on this. If a fatal accident has occurred in the company, it is necessary to take into account what caused it: the carrier's negligent attitude to technology, the carelessness of one of the participants in the movement, or an evil combination of circumstances. If the authors of the bill do not focus on the realities of the market, many companies risk losing the right to cargo transportation.
Nevertheless, it is still difficult to assess all the possible consequences, as there are many ambiguities in the draft law.: who will check the right of a particular car to transport goods? Who will have access to the registry data and will it be necessary to pay for it? What responsibility awaits cargo carriers for violations or for providing false information, and in what format will the data be stored and transmitted? There are no answers to these questions yet.
8. What should we do now?
The trend in recent years suggests that the government will continue to regulate the market and control transportation. You can wait for new input from the regulator. Or you can start preparing for innovations and bring your company in line with future requirements: for example, sort out accounting, taxes, insurance premiums, hire key staff and connect electronic document management.
Clearly, the successful implementation of the new system is possible if both business and government are interested in it. The state needs to work out specific rules for the operation of the registry and ensure data protection. It is also important that the authors of the project do not rely on discrimination. Then all market participants will really have equal conditions — in reality, not just on paper.
Experts believe that for the successful implementation of the unified registry and other elements of GosLog, a transition period is needed without penalties for incorrect data transmission. At this time, companies will be able to adapt to the new system.
It is not yet known how the registry will be implemented in practice. So we are following the news and waiting for the details.
