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CMR consignment note
A CMR consignment note is the standard transport document for international road freight under the CMR convention, which applies when goods travel by road between two countries and at least one is a party to it. It records the sender, carrier, consignee, goods and weight, and the convention caps what the carrier owes for loss or damage.
When CMR applies
The convention covers carriage of goods by road for reward between two different countries, of which at least one is a party. The UN Treaty Collection lists 58 parties as of October 2026 — most of Europe, plus states such as Oman and Pakistan; the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain are not among them. A missing or lost note does not void the contract of carriage; the convention still applies.
What the note contains
- Date and place it was made out; the sender, carrier and consignee.
- Where the goods were taken over and where they are to be delivered.
- The description of the goods and packing, the number of packages and their marks and numbers, and the gross weight.
- Charges, customs instructions, and a statement that the carriage is subject to the convention.
- It is made out in three originals signed by sender and carrier: the first for the sender, the second travels with the goods, the third stays with the carrier.
Liability and deadlines
| Rule | CMR |
|---|---|
| Carrier's liability for loss | At most 8.33 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) per kg of gross weight short |
| Apparent loss or damage | Reserved at delivery |
| Damage not apparent | Notice in writing within 7 days of delivery, Sundays and public holidays excepted |
| Delay | Notice within 21 days |
| Legal action | Within 1 year; 3 years for wilful misconduct |
Worked example: the liability cap
A pallet of electronics weighing 1,000 kg and worth EUR 60,000 is lost in transit. Suppose 1 SDR is worth EUR 1.20 on the day.
Cap = 1,000 kg × 8.33 SDR = 8,330 SDR ≈ EUR 9,996 — against goods worth EUR 60,000A higher value can be declared on the note, for an agreed surcharge — but it must be written on the consignment note itself.
e-CMR
An additional protocol allows an electronic consignment note with the same evidential value as paper, provided it carries a reliable electronic signature. It entered into force on 5 June 2011, and the UN lists 42 parties, the UK and Germany among them.
The mistake people make
Agreeing a higher value in a framework contract and leaving it off the note. TT Club reports a German Federal Court of Justice ruling that the value must be declared in the consignment note — an agreement in a framework contract or transport order alone does not lift the cap.
FAQ
CMR consignment note: common questions
- What is a CMR consignment note?
- The transport document for international road carriage under the CMR convention, listing the parties, the goods, their weight and the delivery place, in three signed originals.
- What is the CMR liability limit?
- 8.33 Special Drawing Rights per kilogram of gross weight lost or damaged, unless a higher value or special interest in delivery is declared on the consignment note.
- How long do I have to claim under CMR?
- Note apparent damage at delivery, hidden damage in writing within 7 days (Sundays and public holidays excepted), and delay within 21 days. Legal action must start within 1 year, or 3 for wilful misconduct.
- Is an electronic CMR valid?
- Yes, between countries that are party to the e-CMR protocol, in force since 5 June 2011 — 42 parties by the UN's count. The electronic note has the same evidential value as paper if reliably signed.
Sources
- CMR convention — Carriage of Goods by Road Act 1965, Schedule (legislation.gov.uk)
- CMR convention — status of parties, UN Treaty Collection
- Additional Protocol to the CMR (e-CMR) — status, UN Treaty Collection
- Additional Protocol to the CMR concerning the electronic consignment note — English text, Latvia legal portal
- Effective value declaration under CMR — TT Club, 10 August 2021