Is the electronic waybill mandatory? Questions about the DeCA.
What shippers and carriers ask us most about the DeCA, mandatory in Spain since 05/10/2026 and often called the electronic waybill or digital consignment note.
The rules
Is it a new document?
No. It's the administrative control document of Orden FOM/2861/2012, the same one that has been mandatory on paper since 2013. What changes is that from 5 October 2026 it must be electronic.
Does it have to be uploaded to a Ministry platform?
No. There is no official app and nothing has to be registered. Each company keeps its documents in its own repository, and at checks they are downloaded from the URL in the QR code.
Is an e-signature or digital certificate required?
No. Neither the Order nor the Resolution requires a signature for the document to be valid. Only if you also use it as a contract, for example as a signed consignment note, would it need an advanced electronic signature.
Is my PDF delivery note sent by WhatsApp already valid?
Only if it's a digitally generated PDF with the QR code printed on it, and that QR code leads to an address where the PDF downloads directly. A photo or scan of the delivery note is not valid.
What if the trailer or destination changes en route?
A new document is generated with the corrected data and the reason for the change, and it's sent to the driver. The previous one is kept. Handwritten notes on a printed copy are not valid.
Does it apply to international transport?
No. The DeCA is for domestic transport and cabotage. International transport still uses the CMR consignment note. The electronic CMR is not mandatory.
What if there's no signal at the check?
The driver doesn't need a connection: they carry the PDF downloaded or printed. The one who downloads it is the inspector, with their own device. If they can't do it at that moment, the Resolution requires the URL to remain available for at least seven days after the service.
My vans too?
It depends on the operation, not the size of the company. Vehicles of up to 2 tonnes don't need a transport authorisation and therefore don't carry a control document. Between 2 and 3.5 tonnes they do, unless it's small-parcel delivery or removals.
How long must it be kept?
At least one year. Nothing is deleted in DeCA: documents stay in the repository and can be viewed and downloaded.
The DeCA service
How does the free DeCA month work?
You sign up on the website with your company's tax ID (NIF) and confirm your email: 30 days with everything included, the platform, the mobile app and the API, no card needed. If you don't subscribe, the account is paused with your data saved and nothing is charged.
How much does it cost?
€25 a month + VAT per company, billed annually, with unlimited documents and users and no automatic renewal.
Does it integrate with my software?
Yes: with Arigest, Agrocom, GAP, Gesthorm, Facturacom and Recodat; by uploading the PDF from your own software; or via API.
More about the DeCA
- What the control document isWhat changes from 5 October 2026 and what it must contain
- Control document for vansWhen vehicles of up to 3.5 tonnes need it
- Control document or CMRWhich one for domestic transport and which for international
- No signal at a roadside checkWhat happens if there's no connection when you're stopped
- Own-account transportWhen your own fleet doesn't need a DeCA
- DeCA example in PDFA sample control document, field by field
- Cabotage in SpainThe control document on cabotage operations
- ShippersWhoever hires the transport and is liable for the DeCA
- Integration with your softwareArigest, Agrocom, GAP, Gesthorm and API
- PricePay per document or flat rate
It's already mandatory. Try DeCA free for a month.
A month with everything included, no card needed: sign up in a minute and create your first DeCA with your own delivery notes. If you'd rather we set it up for you, give us a call.