European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Swiss President Guy Parmelin concluded the long-stalled ‘Bilaterals III’ package on 2 March 2026. Although most headlines focused on energy and research, the accord also amends transport arrangements that directly affect Italian logistics companies operating through the busy Chiasso and Domodossola corridors.
Key points for road transport. The agreement keeps Switzerland’s ban on foreign road-cabotage, dashing hopes that Italian carriers could make domestic Swiss deliveries on multi-stop routes. However, it streamlines permit quotas, allowing up to 5,000 additional annual transit licences for Euro VI trucks registered in EU member states, including Italy—a 12 percent uplift aimed at relieving congestion at the Gotthard tunnel.
Customs and digitalisation. A new protocol mandates mutual recognition of e-CMR electronic consignment notes and paves the way for single-window customs clearance by 2028. Italian freight forwarders using the pilot e-TIR system between Verona and Basel can expect paperless processing by mid-2027.
![EU–Switzerland ‘Bilaterals III’ Deal Signed: What It Means for Italian Hauliers Crossing Chiasso]()
For trucking companies and their drivers juggling tight schedules, VisaHQ offers a straightforward way to secure Swiss and wider Schengen visas without losing time in consular queues. The agency’s Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) lets operators arrange courier pickup, monitor application status in real time and receive reminders when multiple-entry documents are about to expire—conveniences that can keep cross-border runs through Chiasso or Domodossola on track.
Rail and combined transport. Intermodal operators running the Melzo–Freiburg route via the Simplon line gain guaranteed track slots and capped terminal fees, bolstering Italy’s modal-shift strategy. Trenitalia’s Mercitalia division said the deal “brings legal certainty at a critical moment when Alpine rail freight faces capacity crunches due to the Rastatt tunnel overhaul.”
Business advice. Shippers should audit current permit usage and pre-register Euro VI fleets for the expanded quota. Logistics managers must still plan around strict Swiss driving-time rules and can no longer assume cabotage liberalisation in tender pricing.
Key points for road transport. The agreement keeps Switzerland’s ban on foreign road-cabotage, dashing hopes that Italian carriers could make domestic Swiss deliveries on multi-stop routes. However, it streamlines permit quotas, allowing up to 5,000 additional annual transit licences for Euro VI trucks registered in EU member states, including Italy—a 12 percent uplift aimed at relieving congestion at the Gotthard tunnel.
Customs and digitalisation. A new protocol mandates mutual recognition of e-CMR electronic consignment notes and paves the way for single-window customs clearance by 2028. Italian freight forwarders using the pilot e-TIR system between Verona and Basel can expect paperless processing by mid-2027.
For trucking companies and their drivers juggling tight schedules, VisaHQ offers a straightforward way to secure Swiss and wider Schengen visas without losing time in consular queues. The agency’s Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) lets operators arrange courier pickup, monitor application status in real time and receive reminders when multiple-entry documents are about to expire—conveniences that can keep cross-border runs through Chiasso or Domodossola on track.
Rail and combined transport. Intermodal operators running the Melzo–Freiburg route via the Simplon line gain guaranteed track slots and capped terminal fees, bolstering Italy’s modal-shift strategy. Trenitalia’s Mercitalia division said the deal “brings legal certainty at a critical moment when Alpine rail freight faces capacity crunches due to the Rastatt tunnel overhaul.”
Business advice. Shippers should audit current permit usage and pre-register Euro VI fleets for the expanded quota. Logistics managers must still plan around strict Swiss driving-time rules and can no longer assume cabotage liberalisation in tender pricing.
