Paper is out. Digital is in. On April 1, 2026, FIATA published the Practical Guide to the Electronic FIATA Multimodal Bill of Lading (eFBL) in Geneva, Switzerland. The guide marks a shift for freight forwarders worldwide: from paper bills to legally digital documents that cut time, cost and risk.
Built on the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR), the eFBL achieves full legal equivalence with its paper counterpart. For freight forwarders, this means faster quotes, smoother workflows and zero risk of lost documents.
The eFBL: Built by Freight People, For Freight People
FIATA first established the FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (FBL) in 1968. More than 50 years later, the organisation represents freight forwarders in 150 territories, with 104 Association Members and over 4,700 Individual Members. That network represents an industry of 50,000 freight forwarding and logistics firms worldwide.
The eFBL is the digital version of that same trusted document. It’s compliant with UNCTAD/ICC Rules and UCP 600, and aligned with UN/CEFACT Multimodal Transport Reference Data Model and WCO Data Model. The result? A document that works across commercial, regulatory and financial workflows without friction.
“The eFBL is the foundation of a smarter, more trusted global trade ecosystem. Freight forwarders stand at the heart of international supply chains, and this guide gives them the clarity and tools they need to lead the digital transition with confidence.”
– Dr Stéphane Graber, Director General, FIATA
Open-Source, Free to Use, Built for Interoperability
FIATA released the eFBL standard as open-source for all software providers. The digital FBL kit is free of charge. That means Transport Management System (TMS) providers can integrate the standard without cost, and freight forwarders can issue secured digital bills of lading through their existing tools.
To date, 24 of FIATA’s Association members have adopted the eFBL and begun distributing it to their members. FIATA has formed partnerships with 23 TMS providers, making the eFBL available through everyday freight-forwarding software.
The system is aligned with UN/CEFACT semantic standards to facilitate interoperability. That means no tabs, no spreadsheets, no email chains. One screen. One workflow. One solution.
What the eFBL Solves: Speed, Security and Trust
Paper-based processes slow operations, increase error risk and logistics chains. The pandemic accelerated the need to move away from paper. The eFBL delivers three key advantages:
- Speed: Document issuance drops from hours to minutes. Early adopters report issuing documents in just a few minutes, versus lengthy processes with paper.
- Security: The system provides an immutable document audit trail to certify document validity, issuer identity and content integrity. That mitigates fraud risk.
- Cost savings: No printing. No scanning. No courier fees. Keep the margin you earn.
FIATA developed the Insured eFBL option in partnership with Willis Towers Watson and Tokio Marine HCC. That gives freight forwarders added protection and peace of mind.
Real-World Results: Forwarders Speak
Early adopters are already seeing results. OAPCE-Multitrans Group and TRAZA LOGISTICA are among the companies using the system. Both report significant efficiency gains.
“Issuing our first eFBL has been transformative for OAPCE’s scope of service. It only took us a few minutes to issue a Title document whose integrity and validity can be verified electronically. Being able to rely on the edoxOnline platform for execution allowed us to avoid double data entry, making it a highly efficient and end-to-end process.”
– Nicolas Ariel Fossati, Commercial Manager, OAPCE – Multitrans Group
“The digital FBL is a really good solution for us. We can create, amend and send secured PDF FBLs to our customers within a few minutes, instead of printing and scanning the document. If a customer requests a printed copy, the exact required quantity of documents can be quickly printed. This is a great advantage compared to our competitors who still have to go through a lengthy process to issue House BLs.”
– Nicolas Castillo, Pricing & Operations, TRAZA LOGISTICA
The FIT Alliance: Interoperability at Scale
FIATA is a founding member of the Future of International Trade (FIT) Alliance alongside BIMCO, DCSA, ICC and SWIFT. The alliance works to advance eBL platform interoperability globally.
FIATA also partners with international organisations including the UN, WCO/PSCG, ICC DSI, IMO and BIAC. The goal? Logistics without borders for a digital and sustainable world.
Who the Guide Is For
The Practical Guide to the eFBL is designed for multiple audiences:
- Freight forwarders
- FIATA Association Members
- Customs authorities
- Banks
- Software providers
The guide provides practical, audience-specific guidance covering onboarding, FIATA Digital Identity framework, liability insurance requirements and the new Insured eFBL option. It’s built to help stakeholders adopt digital trade solutions with confidence, consistency and legal certainty.
Why This Matters for SME Forwarders
For small and mid-sized freight forwarders, the eFBL levels the playing field. No subscription fees. No platform tax. No territory limits. Just instant access to a legally digital document that’s recognised worldwide.
The eFBL enables SMEs to compete with the giants. Quote faster. Ship faster. Win more cargo from day one. No branch network? No problem. The local hero is now a global hero.
How to Get Started
Software providers can access the free digital FBL kit and promote interoperability among freight forwarders. The open-source standard makes integration straightforward.
Freight forwarders can check if their TMS provider has adopted the eFBL. If not, they can request it. The system integrates into existing workflows, so there’s no need to learn new tools or platforms.
For forwarders looking to quote complex routes fast, track milestones in real time and keep clients informed, the eFBL is a clear step forward. It’s practical. It’s proven. And it ships today.
The Bottom Line
The eFBL cuts the overheads, not your margin. It shortens quote-to-book times. It mitigates fraud risk. And it gives SME forwarders the tools to compete globally without big-league costs.
FIATA founded in 1926 in Vienna, Austria. Nearly 100 years later, the organisation is still building solutions that work for freight forwarders on the ground. The eFBL is the latest proof: logistics without borders for a digital and sustainable world.
Complex routes made simple. Quote the complicated stuff, fast. That’s the promise of the eFBL. And that’s the future of freight forwarding.
