What is a CMR consignment note?
The CMR is the consignment note issued in international road carriage; it evidences the contract of carriage and that the cargo was handed to the carrier in the stated condition. It takes its name from the 1956 CMR Convention and applies when the place where the goods are taken over and the place designated for delivery are in two different countries, at least one of which is party to the convention. Unlike a sea bill of lading, it is not a document of title: delivery is made to the consignee named on the note.
Is the CMR a document of title?
No. The CMR is not a document of title, and ownership of the goods cannot be transferred by endorsing it; delivery is made to the consignee named on the note. This is the important difference from the sea bill of lading, where whoever properly holds the original controls who can take the cargo. Neither the CMR consignment note nor the air waybill can be endorsed. As a result, road transport has no equivalent of the sea rule that whoever holds the document controls the cargo; security for payment is built by other means, such as a letter of credit, documents against payment or naming the bank as consignee.
How many originals are there, and who holds them?
Three originals are made out under the CMR Convention: one for the sender, one travelling with the goods and one for the carrier. The right of disposal over the goods in road transport, that is who may change the delivery instruction while the cargo is on its way, is regulated by Article 12 of the Convention.
Why is the reservations box so important?
In practice the most critical part of the CMR is the reservations box. At delivery, findings such as the number of packages, the condition of the packaging or wetness have to be written on the CMR: if they are not, it becomes hard to prove a damage claim afterwards. For this reason the cargo should not be accepted without writing the damage on the note. Photographs, the weighing slip and the delivery record, together with the CMR, form the core of the claim file.
- Write visible loss or damage on the CMR at the time of delivery
- Note the number of packages and the condition of the packaging
- Keep photographs, the weighing slip and the delivery record
How much is the carrier liable for?
The convention limits the carrier's liability to 8.33 SDR per kilogram of gross weight short. The limit falls away in cases of wilful misconduct or gross fault. For high-value cargo, taking out separate cargo insurance, which secures the value above the CMR liability limit, is therefore standard practice.
What are the deadlines for a claim?
Visible loss or damage is notified by a reservation on the CMR at the time of delivery. For damage that is not apparent from outside, the convention requires written notice within seven days of delivery, Sundays and public holidays excepted. For claims for delay, a written reservation must be sent within twenty-one days from the time the goods were placed at the disposal of the consignee. The check at delivery and the reservation on the note therefore come first.
CMR consignment note, sea bill of lading and air waybill compared
| Criterion |
CMR consignment note |
Sea bill of lading |
Air waybill (AWB) |
| Mode |
Road, between countries party to the convention |
Sea |
Air |
| Document of title |
No |
Yes, in its negotiable form |
No |
| Can it be endorsed? |
No |
Yes, if it is an order bill |
No |
| Originals |
Three: sender, travelling with the goods, carrier |
Most commonly a set of three |
Three: carrier, consignee, shipper |
| Delivered to |
The consignee named on the note |
The rightful holder of an original |
The consignee named on the note |
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if the cargo is delivered damaged?
Do not accept the cargo without writing the damage on the CMR. Visible loss or damage is notified by a reservation on the CMR at the time of delivery. For damage not apparent from outside, the convention requires written notice within seven days of delivery, Sundays and public holidays excepted; for delay claims a written reservation must be sent within twenty-one days from the time the goods were placed at the disposal of the consignee. Photographs, the weighing slip and the delivery record form the core of the file.
Does the CMR cover the full value of my cargo?
Not necessarily. The carrier's liability is limited to 8.33 SDR per kilogram of gross weight short, and the limit applies unless there is wilful misconduct or gross fault. For high-value cargo, separate cargo insurance secures the value above that limit.
Can the CMR be used as security for payment like a bill of lading?
No. The CMR is not a document of title, so presenting it does not give control of the cargo, and delivery goes to the consignee named on the note. Security for payment in road transport is built by other means, such as a letter of credit, documents against payment or naming the bank as consignee.
Does the CMR apply to every road shipment?
It applies when the place where the goods are taken over and the place designated for delivery are in two different countries, at least one of which is party to the CMR Convention. It sits alongside the customs documents of the route, such as the TIR carnet or a T1/T2 transit declaration: the CMR evidences the contract of carriage, while those are the customs transit documents.