Trailers and semi-trailers used by transport companies abroad are now exempt from the obligation to return to the transport company’s home country after eight weeks at the latest. This is according to the revised guidelines that the European Commission has just published on the practical implementation of the mobility package. Previously, the European Commission had insisted that trailers and semi-trailers were also subject to the return requirement.
Obligation to return regulation
The Return Obligation Scheme of the transport companies, EU and the European umbrella organization of freight forwarders Clecat is a joint agreement that regulates the return of trucks from the member states of the EU. This agreement came into force on January 1, 2012 and applies to all trucks registered in another EU member state after December 31, 2011.
The obligation to return applies to all trucks registered in another EU member state and used in another EU member state after January 1, 2012. The return obligation does not apply to trucks registered in another EU member state before January 1, 2012.
The obligation to return also applies to trucks that are rented or leased in another EU member state. However, the obligation to return does not apply to trucks purchased in another EU Member State.
The obligation to return also applies to trucks that are repaired or maintained in another EU member state. However, the obligation to return does not apply to trucks that are sold in another EU member state.
There are exceptions to the obligation to return for trucks that are moved exclusively within one member state of the EU and for trucks that are moved exclusively between two or more member states of the EU.
For trucks that are moved exclusively within one member state of the EU, the return obligation does not apply. For trucks that are moved exclusively between two or more member states of the EU, the return obligation only applies if the trucks have traveled more than 3,500 km within a period of 12 months.