Identification papers required to transport commercial cargo from Slovenia to other European Union members including Spain, France, Germany and the United Kingdom before and after Slovenia's accession to the EU; whether a Slovenian identification card is sufficient or if a passport is needed (2004 - 2006) [SVN101463.E]

A counsellor at the Embassy of Slovenia in Ottawa stated in a telephone interview with the Research Directorate that before the accession of Slovenia to the European Union (EU) on 1 May 2004 (Europa Mar. 2006), a driver was required to present his or her passport when transporting commercial cargo from Slovenia to all countries except the ones with which Slovenia had trade agreements: Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Italy (9 June 2006). To transport cargo to these four countries, it was sufficient for the driver to show his or her Slovenian identity (ID) card (the osebna izkanica or personal card) (Slovenia 9 June 2006).

In a 14 June 2006 telephone interview with the Research Directorate, the assistant director of the Ljubljana Customs Office indicated that before Slovenia's accession to the EU, the driver of a cargo truck would have to show his or her passport and a customs declaration on entering an EU member state.

Since the accession of Slovenia to the EU, the counsellor from the Embassy of Slovenia indicated that drivers need only present their Slovenian ID card when travelling with cargo to any EU member state (9 June 2006). The counsellor noted that a driver's licence is insufficient identification for drivers who wish to transport cargo from Slovenia to any EU member state (Slovenia 9 June 2006). However, the assistant director of the Ljubljana Customs Office stated that since Slovenia's accession to the EU, customs officers are no longer posted at the borders between Slovenia and other EU countries, so drivers from Slovenia who are transporting commercial cargo are not required to present their identity documents or customs declarations (ibid. 14 June 2006).

The assistant director added that since Slovenia is a member of the EU, transporting goods from Slovenia to France or Austria, for example, is the same as transporting goods within Slovenia in terms of identification required (ibid.). The assistant director also stated that a non-EU citizen needs to show his or her passport at the border of a EU member state (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


Europa. March 2006. "Overviews of the European Activities: Enlargement." http://europa.eu/pol/enlarg/overview_en.htm [Accessed 13 June 2006]

Slovenia. 14 June 2006. Ministry of Finance. Customs Administration, Ljubljana Customs Office. Telephone interview with the assistant director.

_____ . 9 June 2006. Embassy of Slovenia, Ottawa. Telephone interview with a counsellor.

Additional Sources Consulted


Internet sites, including: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Embassy of Slovenia in Canada, Government Office for European Affairs of Slovenia, Slovenian Trade and Investment Promotion Office.