Decree Law 73/2025: new rules for loading and unloading goods

The grace period for completing loading or unloading operations is 90 minutes. The countdown starts from the moment the vehicle arrives at the loading/unloading point, and the grace period applies to each operation.

For each hour (or fraction of an hour) of delay beyond the grace period, the carrier shall be paid a lump sum compensation of €100. This amount will be re-evaluated annually according to the ISTAT index.

Compensation shall also be due if the actual loading or unloading times exceed those established in the transport contract, provided that such excess is documented.

The customer, the recipient or any other party in the transport chain is now required to provide the carrier in advance with precise information on the location, time and methods of access to the loading and unloading points.

In the event of a dispute, the carrier may certify the time of arrival using data from its satellite system or second-generation smart tachograph.

The driver will have the opportunity to be present and check the regularity of loading operations, with particular regard to the arrangement of the load on the vehicle.