CMR consignment note
International road transport document governed by the CMR Convention, serving as a contract of carriage and proof of goods being taken in charge.
Definition and legal framework
The CMR consignment note is the standard document for international road transport. It is governed by the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR), signed in Geneva in 1956 and ratified by most European countries.
Functions
The CMR note fulfils three functions:
- Evidence of the contract of carriage (but is not the contract itself)
- Proof of taking in charge of the goods by the carrier in the condition described
- Accompanying document for goods during transport
It is not a document of title and is not negotiable (unlike the maritime bill of lading).
Mandatory particulars
The CMR note must contain (Article 6 of the Convention):
- Place and date of issue
- Name and address of the sender, carrier, and consignee
- Place and date of taking in charge, place of delivery
- Description of goods, number of packages, gross weight
- Instructions for customs formalities
Carrier liability
Under the CMR Convention, the carrier is liable for total or partial loss and damage occurring between taking in charge and delivery, as well as for delay. Compensation is limited to 8.33 SDR per kilogram of gross weight missing (Article 23). The e-CMR (electronic consignment note) is authorised by the 2008 Additional Protocol.