The scale of the problem
According to TAPA EMEA, more than 108,000 cargo thefts were reported in over 110 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in two years. Loss values were given for only 5% of incidents and still exceeded €1 billion – over €1.3 million a day (data from February 2026). In December 2025 alone, TAPA's system recorded 557 crimes, most of them in Germany (115).
Secure parking is also scarce. A 2019 European Commission study found a shortfall of 100,000 overnight truck parking spaces in the EU; of about 300,000 existing spaces only 7,000 were in certified secure areas.
1. Plan routes and stop at secure parking
A trailer is most exposed when it is standing still – especially at unsecured parking. Assess route risk before departure and plan rest stops. The EU has a standard for safe and secure truck parking areas, SSTPA (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1012), with four levels: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. At bronze, parts of the site are covered by video surveillance; at platinum, staff are on site around the clock and licence plates are recognised at entry and exit. TAPA TSR requires carriers to keep a list of approved and prohibited parking locations.
2. Fit strong locks to the cargo doors
At the highest level, TAPA TSR 1, cargo doors need permanent heavy-duty locks of stainless or hardened steel. Chains, cables and removable bars are not allowed there. No key or code may open more than one lock. Electronic padlocks add an opening log and remote permissions – e.g. the ATEX-certified G-300N or the G-312N for delivery vans.
3. Seal the cargo – mechanically and electronically
TAPA TSR 2026 requires ISO 17712 seals on all direct shipments at every level. The driver should not apply or remove them. An electronic seal adds a cut alarm, the place and time of every opening, and geofences where opening is allowed. See Electronic vs mechanical seals.
4. Put a tracker in the trailer, not just the tractor
A tractor tracker is no help once the trailer is unhooked. TSR 1 requires a covert trailer tracker that:
- reports its position at least every 5 minutes,
- reports untethering, tampering, stops and battery status,
- runs on its own power for at least 24 hours once untethered,
- uses at least two signalling methods, e.g. 4G and satellite.
Thieves use mobile-network jammers. That is why the standard calls satellite communication the only truly effective fallback. Examples: the TLW2-12B (vehicle power, then a 9,600 mAh battery), the solar TLP2-SFB, and the AT300 with Iridium.
5. Door sensor and alarm
Under TSR 1, unauthorised opening of the cargo doors must send a signal to the monitoring centre and trigger a loud siren. Wireless Bluetooth sensors fit without drilling: the TSDT1-B (door and temperature) or the T-Sense. The sensor passes the event to the tracker, which forwards it to the platform and the dispatcher's phone.
6. Locks and immobilisation
A loaded trailer left unattended should have a kingpin, landing-gear or brake-line lock – TSR requires one at levels 2 and 3. At level 1 the tractor needs an engine immobiliser. A Bluetooth relay such as the TSR1-B lets you cut the fuel pump or starter remotely from the platform.
7. Monitoring centre, procedures and the driver
Hardware only helps if someone responds to the alarm. TSR requires alarm response procedures, pre-trip system tests and driver training. At levels 1 and 2 the cab needs a silent duress button, and at level 1 the driver also carries a mobile panic button – a role the T-Button SOS key fob can fill. Vet your carriers too: in 2026 TAPA published separate guidance on fake carriers who impersonate real companies.
Where to start
First define what you carry, on which routes and where trailers are parked. Then choose the layers: a trailer tracker and a door sensor usually give the biggest effect for a reasonable cost. You can try it in practice – a starter kit lets you test the devices for up to a year. See also our solutions for road transport.