TTN: Everything About the Consignment Note

A waybill (TTN) is a crucial document accompanying the transportation of goods by road within Ukraine, playing a vital role in organizing logistics processes. TTN is required to ensure legal, accounting, and logistical transparency at all stages of local transportation. Its issuance is mandatory in most cases of domestic transportation as it confirms the transfer of goods from the sender to the carrier and their subsequent delivery to the recipient. This document is used in internal freight transportation as a basis for writing off goods from the sender's warehouse, recording their receipt by the recipient, and settling payments between the customer and the carrier for the services provided.

In addition, TTN ensures control over the transportation process, recording information about the route, cargo characteristics, the vehicle, and all participants in the transportation. Ukrainian legislation strictly regulates the requirements for the preparation and use of TTNs for domestic transportation, making this document an essential part of logistics documentation. Companies engaged in domestic transportation within Ukraine must consider the specific requirements for filling out TTNs to avoid administrative fines and potential issues during inspections by regulatory authorities.

Main Functions of TTN

1. Legal Confirmation of Transportation

TTN serves as official proof of the transportation of goods. This is especially important in cases of disputes or inspections by regulatory authorities. The document confirms the transfer of goods from the sender to the carrier and, subsequently, to the recipient.

2. Basis for Accounting

For the sender, TTN is the basis for writing off goods from the warehouse, and for the recipient, it is the basis for recording the receipt of goods. This ensures transparency in financial and inventory accounting, which is particularly important for businesses dealing with large volumes of goods.

3. Financial Settlements for Transportation Services

TTN serves as the basis for invoicing transportation services. It records the volume and cost of services provided and confirms the fulfillment of transportation in accordance with the terms of the contract.

4. Monitoring the Delivery Process

The document contains data on the cargo, route, vehicle, sender, carrier, and recipient. This information allows for monitoring the transportation and promptly addressing any issues that arise during delivery.

What Information Must Be Included in TTN?

According to Ukrainian law, a waybill must include the following mandatory details:

• Date and place of issuance.
• Details of the parties involved: full names of the sender, carrier/forwarder, and recipient, their addresses, contact details, and taxpayer codes.
• Cargo information: name, quantity, weight, packaging, and characteristics.
• Vehicle details: make, model, type, registration number, dimensions, total weight of the vehicle with and without cargo.
• Loading and unloading points: exact addresses and contact details.
• Transportation terms and special instructions, if applicable.
• Signatures and stamps of the parties confirming the transfer and receipt of goods.

When Is TTN Mandatory, and When Is It Not?

TTN is mandatory in the following cases:

1. Transportation of goods under a contract between legal entities or entrepreneurs.
2. Involvement of third-party carriers for the delivery of goods.
3. Transportation of excisable goods such as alcohol, fuel, or tobacco products.

TTN is not required in the following cases:

• Internal transportation: if a company transports its own goods for internal needs without involving third-party carriers.
• Transportation by individuals for personal needs, confirmed by a purchase receipt.

Liability for Non-Compliance with TTN Requirements

Failure to properly complete a TTN or its absence may result in several issues for a company:

1. Financial penalties for violating transport regulations.
2. Delays in cargo due to inspections by regulatory authorities.
3. Criminal liability in cases of falsifying data in the TTN.

Since October 2021, Ukraine has tightened control over compliance with weight and dimensional standards. Cargo senders are required to specify accurate parameters of the cargo and the vehicle in the TTN. Violations of these standards can lead to significant fines.

The waybill (TTN) is not just a formality but a critically important document ensuring the legality, transparency, and accuracy of freight transportation in Ukraine. It combines legal, accounting, and control functions, making it an indispensable tool for all participants in the logistics process.

Proper preparation of TTNs minimizes the risk of fines and delays while fostering transparent and trustworthy relationships among all parties involved in transportation. Companies engaged in freight transportation must pay special attention to complying with the requirements for this document, as it directly affects the efficiency of logistics, adherence to legislation, and overall business success.