The foundation meeting of Estonian Logistics and Freight Forwarding Association (ELFA) was held on 6 December 1994 in Tallinn. Today, ELFA unites 62 companies engaged in international transport and freight forwarding or the provision of other logistics services.
ELFA is a volunteer association of legal persons engaged in international freight forwarding and the provision of logistics services. The objective of the organisation is to represent and protect the common professional interests of the members of ELFA, prevent unfair competition, and contribute to the development of legislation related to its area of activity and the distribution of all relevant information. In order to achieve the set objectives, ELFA organises sessions, prepares presentations, and co-operates with organisations and officials of Estonia and other countries. ELFA is a non-profit association.
The initial strategic objectives of ELFA were to join the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and to introduce the General Terms and Conditions of the Estonian Freight Forwarders Association (EFFA) regulating relationships between freight forwarders and their customers in Estonia. The contract regarding the establishment of the General Terms and Conditions of EFFA was signed together with the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 6 May 1995, and the terms and conditions entered into force as of 1 July 1995. The named General Terms and Conditions are analogous to the General Terms and Conditions of the Nordic Association of Freight Forwarders, and have been taken into use with the knowledge and approval of the latter. New General Terms and Conditions of ELFA, EEA ÜT 2000, which are analogous to the NSAB 2000 used in the Nordic countries, entered into force as of 1 January 2001. Starting from 1. January 2017 renewed General Terms and Conditions of ELFA, ELEA ÜT 2015 have been taken into use, these are analogous to the NSAB 2015 used in the Nordic countries.
On 4 October 1995, ELFA became the member of the FIATA. Being a member of the FIATA primarily provides ELFA access to information related to freight forwarding to a global extent, the possibility to issue the FIATA multimodal transport documents, and additional opportunities for the professional training of the employees of freight forwarding companies, where those who have passed the study programme will be issued the internationally recognised FIATA Diplomas.