Types of digital signature in transportation documentation and when to use them
08 May 2025
Document management in transportation plays a critical role, since every shipment, every delivery and every pickup involves a chain of documents that must be signed to record what happened. Therefore, it is important to know the types of digital signature in transportation and when to use them.
Traditionally, these signatures were manual, but today technological advances have given way to electronic signatures, which offer legal certainty, operational agility and strong traceability.
However, not all electronic signatures are the same. There are different levels and types that are applied according to the risk of the operation, the legal framework and the needs of the logistics flow. In this article we explain the main types of signature in transport and how they are used in the sector’s documentation.
An electronic signature is any data in electronic format that is associated with other data and serves as a method of identifying the signatory.
Their purpose is similar to that of a handwritten signature: to validate a person’s intent to approve the contents of a document. However, electronic signatures allow this to be done remotely, securely and with multiple layers of verification, making them ideal for modern logistics.
In the European Union, the eIDAS regulation (Regulation (EU) 910/2014 of July 23, 2014) regulates electronic signature levels and establishes a common legal framework for all member countries. This regulation distinguishes between three broad categories of signature: simple, advanced and qualified.
In the post How to integrate the advanced electronic signature in the eCMR or electronic transport document we talked about what the electronic signature is and what it is used for and we tell you how it is implemented in the eCMR or electronic transport document.
The main types of digital signature included in the eIDAS regulation and their specific application in the field of logistics and transportation are detailed below.
The simple electronic signature (SES) is the most basic from a technical and legal point of view. It is used in low-risk situations and its legal validity is limited, although recognized. In logistics, this type of signature can be used for proof of delivery, internal warehouse records or receipt of goods by drivers.
This is, for example, signing with a finger on a touch screen. Identity verification is implicit, based on the context and not on the digital identity of the signer. Therefore, its level of authenticity and document integrity is low.
It also presents a partial regulatory alignment with the eFTI Regulation, although its cost and complexity are very low.
This type of electronic signature for transport is based on the sending of a verification code by SMS or email. By entering the code received, the signatory validates his identity and approves the document.
Although technically still a simple signature, its use provides an additional level of security and is useful in low to medium sensitivity contexts.
Its guarantee of authenticity is medium, its level of evidence is low-medium, its alignment with the eFTI Regulation is partial and its level of risk, cost and complexity is low.
In transportation, it is used for order acceptance, delivery confirmations or cargo checklist validation. Its advantage is that it does not require special devices, just a cell phone or email access.
The biometric signature introduces unique identification elements of the signer, such as the pressure, speed or stroke of the handwritten signature, captured on special devices.
This typology can be considered an advanced signature if it is securely stored and associated with an identity validation system, i.e. biometrics plus ID verification, for example.
It is especially useful in operations where you want to record the identity of the driver or the operator signing for the delivery. For example, when registering the receipt of goods at a logistics platform or when validating a load report from a tablet.
This type of signature offers a high guarantee of authenticity, solid traceability and a medium-high level of legal evidence, while the cost and complexity are medium.
The advanced electronic signature (AES) complies with stricter legal requirements. This type of signature is uniquely linked to the signatory, allows identification and is associated with the document data in such a way that any subsequent change invalidates the signature. This makes it especially useful in regulated transport processes.
In logistics, it is applied in documents such as the electronic consignment note (eCMR), export declarations or electronic customs formalities.
Its implementation requires more sophisticated systems, such as two-factor authentication, validation devices and digital certificates. In exchange, it offers greater legal security and complies with regulations such as eFTI or eIDAS.
Qualified electronic signature (QES) is the highest level of electronic signature defined in eIDAS.
This type requires a digital certificate issued by a trusted service provider and the use of a secure signature creation device (QSCD).
This type of signature is ideal for international contracts, communications with public authorities or any document where it is essential to guarantee the identity of the signatory and the integrity of the content.
It offers full compliance with eFTI regulations and in transportation its use extends to service contracts, tenders, sensitive documentation or regulatory compliance in the public sector.
The answer depends on the level of risk, regulatory requirements and how digitized your logistics chain is. In general:
Understanding the different types of signatures in transportation is essential to make the right decisions about document digitalization. Electronic signatures not only speed up processes and reduce the use of paper, but also improve traceability and strengthen legal compliance in an increasingly regulated environment.
In this sense, FIELDEAS has designed the SeamLess eCMR module, focused on document digitalization in transport in a secure way and with all the normative and regulatory guarantees.
Thus, the minimum signature used in our document digitalization solution is the advanced electronic signature, offering full security to the entire transport process.
Therefore, the FIELDEAS eCMR solution offers flexibility by including different modes of advanced digital signature throughout the transport process, requesting it in the different actions of verification of events that occur (collection of goods, control in transit, subcontracting, arrival at the platform…).
Our solution offers the possibility of signing through our mobile application or through a web link. In either case, different advanced digital signature modalities can be used for the FIELDEAS Track and Trace SeamLess eCMR:
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