The BAG’s de minimis funding programme

Companies and start-ups in freight transport can receive public funding under certain conditions. This is usually granted as a grant or at a reduced interest rate. Therefore, certain maximum limits must not be exceeded, otherwise they could have a distorting effect on competition. The de minimis funding programme of the Federal Office for Goods Transport (BAG) includes a maximum funding limit. If you apply for a grant, you will come across this term.

Start-ups in freight transport have many things to think about: purchasing vehicles, equipping with the necessary lashing straps and lashing tracks for cargo securing and procuring other components. This is the only way to comply with the legal regulations for the transport of goods. Through the de minimis aid, a company can apply for and receive subsidies of up to 200,000 euros in three fiscal years. However, the allocation of the subsidies is subject to conditions. In addition, the documents related to the granting of the subsidies must be kept for ten years. If this obligation to keep records is violated, the subsidies already received must be paid back, with interest on top.

The term de minimis is Latin and was already used in Roman law. In the context of public funding for start-ups, de minimis applies to EU subsidy law. This term can be defined as meaning “hardly of importance”, “a trifling amount” or “small enough to be considered trivial”. This is to say that public authorities can grant subsidies up to a certain amount without distorting competition or appearing to distort competition. The de minimis rules therefore specify exactly what support funds are permissible.

Projects in the field of safety and the environment can be funded under certain conditions for companies that operate in the road haulage sector with heavy goods vehicles. Here, different areas (vehicle- or person-related) can be promoted to increase efficiency:

• Equipment: Leasing, rental, purchase
• Facilities / measures in environment and safety
• Consultations on corporate governance (environmental and safety-related)

Funding programmes are grants from subsidies, which can be applied for under de minimis for the purchase, rental, leasing, but also for replacement purchase and installation, of additional equipment and aids for optimal cargo securing, above the obligatory level.

For example, funding can be provided for lashing straps or tension straps that are of a particularly high quality and therefore safe, including any fees for regular testing of the lashing devices.

Other examples of eligible measures above the obligatory level are various types of lashing tracks (e.g. airline tracks) and lashing points. These can be attached to the walls and floors of vehicles to secure elements such as lashing straps for securing cargo. Decking and shoring beams can also be funded within this framework.

Furthermore, eligible means of cargo securing on and for commercial vehicles include lifting straps and load slings. Strapping, edge protectors and tension locks can also be subsidised through the de minimis funding programme. The same applies to anti-slip underlays such as non-slip mats, which prevent the cargo from slipping in the load compartment. Nets such as container nets are also eligible.

In general, expenses that a company incurs for the installation of fixed cargo securing or cargo securing concepts can also be subsidised by the programme. The possibilities are therefore quite diverse and should definitely be made use of.

Further links:
www.bag.bund.de
www.foerderdatenbank.de