What is a road consignment note, who completes it, and how? Everything you need to know.

‍The CMR, or road consignment note: what it is, and why it is so important 

When it comes to all things road transport documentation, there could scarcely be a document that is of greater importance than the CMR note – otherwise sometimes referred to as simply the “road consignment note”. 

The initialism CMR stands for “Convention relative au contrat de transport international de marchandises par route”. The CMR note, or road consignment note, is a standard contract that companies use if they wish to use a provider to transport goods internationally by road. 

A shipment being accompanied by a CMR note acts as confirmation that the haulage company (or “carrier”) handling the goods has received them, and that the haulage firm has a contract from the supplier (or “trader”) to carry them. 

Don’t get confused about what a CMR note is! 

While it is naturally crucial for anyone who wishes to move goods across borders to know what a CMR note is, it is similarly important to understand what a CMR note is not. It is not – unlike a bill of lading – a document of title, and nor is it a declaration. 

The existence of a CMR note does not necessarily grant the holder of that note, and/or the carrier, rights of ownership or possession in relation to the items that are being transported. 

However, at least one thing is clear when it comes to this vital road transport documentation – a CMR note is required for all international journeys where goods are being transported on a commercial basis. 

The essentials of filling in a CMR note 

If you are a supplier or trader with an interest in arranging for the shipping of goods abroad, you can choose to fill in your required CMR note yourself, or your chosen carrier or freight forwarding company can do it for you. 

Whoever does complete the CMR note for a given shipment will need to provide information including the date and place at which the CMR note was filled in, as well as the name and address of the sender, carrier(s) and consignee (the person to whom the goods will be delivered). 

It will also be necessary for the CMR note to include a description of the goods and the method by which they have been packed. Details must be set out, too, on the weight of the transported items, any charges related to the goods such as carriage charges or customs duties, and instructions for customs and any other formalities. If, for example, you are looking to transport dangerous goods, you may be interested in our recent article on this subject. 

What we have outlined above, on the information that needs to be included on a CMR note, is not exhaustive. Furthermore, there are certain other requirements to be mindful of, such as the need to have three copies of the note – one for the supplier of the items, one for the eventual customer, and one to accompany the goods during their journey to their destination. 

The above is only a quick guide to just one vital element of road transport documentation, so you should not depend on it for advice. To learn more about KTL UK’s own expertise in this field and across every other aspect of our freight forwarding services, please feel free to contact us. 

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