The CMR consignment note

When CMR applies

• The contract is for carriage of goods by road, for reward.
• The place of loading and the place of delivery are in two different countries.
• At least one of those countries is a party to the Convention — the nationality of the carrier does not matter.
• It does not apply to purely domestic transport, which follows national law.

The three copies

The note is made out in three originals signed by the sender and the carrier: the first stays with the sender, the second travels with the goods and goes to the consignee, the third is kept by the carrier. Additional copies are common in practice.

Carrier liability

• The carrier is liable for loss of or damage to the goods between taking them over and delivery, and for delay.
• Compensation for loss or damage is limited to 8.33 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per kilogram of gross weight short (1978 Protocol, in force in nearly all European states), unless a higher value or special interest was declared on the note.
• Compensation for delay is limited to the carriage charges.

Deadlines

• Visible loss or damage: note reservations on the CMR at delivery.
• Damage not apparent at delivery: written reservations within 7 days, Sundays and public holidays excepted.
• Delay: written reservations within 21 days of the goods being placed at the consignee’s disposal.
• Legal action: within one year, or three years in cases of wilful misconduct.

e-CMR

An additional protocol (2008) allows an electronic consignment note. It can be used between countries that have ratified the protocol; check the route before relying on e-CMR alone.

Frequently asked questions