What is the CMR consignment note?
The CMR consignment note is an internationally recognised transport document that accompanies goods in cross-border road transport. It is based on the CMR Convention of 1956 and is written proof of the contract of carriage, of the carrier taking over the goods and of their condition at loading. Without a correctly completed CMR it is very hard to prove what happened in the event of damage or a dispute.
When is a CMR required?
For carriage of goods by road for reward whenever the place of loading and the place of delivery are in two different countries and at least one of them is a party to the Convention – which covers all of Europe. Within the Czech Republic a CMR is not required; a delivery note or domestic consignment note is enough.
What must the CMR contain?
- place and date of issue,
- name and address of the sender, carrier and consignee,
- place and date of taking over the goods and place of delivery,
- description of the goods, packaging, number of packages, marks and gross weight,
- instructions for customs formalities,
- freight charges and any special agreements between the parties.
How many copies are issued?
At least three originals, signed by the sender and the carrier. The first stays with the sender, the second travels with the goods to the consignee and the third is kept by the carrier. Further copies are often made for customs or internal records.
Reservations and claim deadlines
A reservation is a note on the CMR about visible damage, missing packages or discrepancies. It must be written directly on the CMR when the goods are taken over or delivered – otherwise they are deemed to have been received in good order.
| Situation | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Visible damage or loss | on the CMR at delivery |
| Hidden damage | in writing within 7 days (excluding Sundays and public holidays) |
| Delay | in writing within 21 days |
| Legal claim | time-barred after 1 year (3 years for wilful misconduct) |
How much is the carrier liable for?
Under the CMR the carrier is liable for loss or damage up to 8.33 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) per kilogram of gross weight. For light but valuable goods this may be far below the value of the goods, so we recommend additional cargo insurance.
Electronic CMR (e-CMR)
The e-CMR is the digital version of the consignment note under the additional protocol to the CMR Convention. It speeds up the exchange of documents and reduces the risk of lost papers. It is spreading in Europe, but the paper CMR is still the most common.
Who is responsible for what?
The sender is responsible for the description of the goods, weight, addresses and customs instructions. The carrier is liable for the goods from taking over until delivery. As forwarder, Knapek Spedition prepares the CMR for every international shipment and checks that all mandatory fields are completed.
Common mistakes
- incomplete consignee address,
- wrong weight or number of packages,
- no reference to customs documents,
- no reservation noted despite visible damage,
- missing signature of the consignee at delivery.
Each of these can complicate or prevent compensation. More on the rules of international transport under international transport.
Related services: Domestic transport