Many hauliers who transport waste find themselves in a no-win situation. At the time of the inspection, it turns out that they do not have the appropriate permits. The consequences are serious - hefty fines, seizure of the vehicle and even suspension of operations. Hauliers are often unaware of the requirements or receive incorrect information from shippers.

This opinion is the result of a case study of a number of clients who turned to us for last-minute assistance. The common denominator in each situation was that the carrier was at a critical juncture where immediate action was necessary to avoid serious financial loss.

No waste transport permit - cases of carriers

Detention at the Polish border

A driver transporting waste from Germany to Poland was stopped for a routine check in Świecko. After checking his documents, it turned out that he did not have the required permit for transporting waste. What is more - he was not aware of the obligation to report the transport on the SENT platform. The inspectors imposed a fine and detained the vehicle in the administrative car park until the missing documents were provided. The costs increased with every hour. Each day of detention meant additional expenses and the haulier could not fulfil further orders.

Thanks to our quick intervention, the necessary entry in BDO was prepared in record time, and after contacting the waste recipient in Poland, the formalities on the SENT platform were also completed.

Problem at the German border

Another case involved a haulier who was aware of the obligation to have documentation, but trusted the shipper who assured him that a permit was not necessary in this case. Unfortunately, a roadside check near Karlsruhe revealed that the required documentation was missing, which resulted in a hefty fine and the detention of the transport. The haulier had to bear the costs of additional parking until a replacement transport could be found (for which he had to pay out of his own pocket).

In this case, we were able to help him in just a few days. Having received his permit electronically, he was able to assert his rights before the German justice system and was able to recover the amount he had previously spent on paying the fine.

Trouble in Austria

In Austria, the situation was even more complicated. The haulier thought that the German waste transport licence was sufficient to pass through Austria. Unfortunately, an inspection revealed a missing GLN number and no registration on the list of waste transporters in Austria. This resulted in the immobilisation of the transport and the need to organise alternative transport. Unfortunately, the belief that another permit from a German-speaking country would be accepted in Austria is still very popular among European hauliers. Previously, obtaining a waste transport permit in Austria was on a voluntary basis. However, for more than two years now, having the relevant permit has been the result of very strict regulations, which additionally require that the transport was carried out by rail when certain conditions are met.

Here, too, we were able to minimise the haulier's losses and after more than a week he was already able to legally continue delivering waste to the Vienna area.

Main causes of errors and consequences for companies

All of the above cases had one common denominator - the lack of proper verification of requirements before transport is undertaken. Carriers often fail to check the current regulations, relying on information from shippers or contractors. This approach can lead to costly mistakes.

Legal ignorance is another key cause of problems. Waste transport regulations change frequently and ignorance of them does not absolve one from the obligation to comply with them. It is also important to bear in mind that some routes require additional notifications, for example in Austria or Poland.

How to avoid problems? Effective solutions

To avoid problems with inspections and penalties, hauliers should follow a few key rules.

• Firstly, changes in waste transport regulations should be monitored regularly. New regulations may affect documentation and permit requirements.
• The second step is to work with advisors who specialise in waste transport. Specialists can help not only with obtaining the necessary permitsbut also in the verification of documentation prior to transport.

Bottom line - why act in advance?

Failure to obtain a waste transport permit can lead to hefty fines, legal problems and the stoppage of transport. Every hour of delay means financial losses and logistical complications. It is therefore extremely important to act in advance.

Monitoring the rules, consulting experts and analysing each order in detail avoids problems. Carriers should consider these steps as standard rather than an additional cost.

Does your company have all the required permits? If you are in doubt, it is worth checking this before a problem arises.