The rules for international freight transport by road are laid out in the CMR Convention. The abbreviation CMR stands for “Convention relative au Contrat de Transport International de Marchandises par Route.” When people refer to the CMR, they’re often talking about the international consignment note for road transport. Different conventions and transport documents apply to rail (non-intermodal), sea freight, and air freight.
The CMR Convention was established in 1956 by the United Nations. It applies to international road transport and outlines legal agreements on topics such as the consignment note obligation, liability, and compensation.
The CMR Convention automatically applies to international road transport agreements when the goods are picked up or delivered in a member state. The convention is considered mandatory law.
The CMR consignment note was developed based on this convention. That’s why the international consignment note is commonly referred to as the CMR. When people talk about “the CMR,” they usually mean the consignment note, not the convention itself.
The CMR consignment note is a document that contains nearly all the key information needed for the timely and correct delivery of goods.
Normally, the CMR consignment note is issued in three or four copies, with each copy printed in a different color:
In some countries, the digital version of the consignment note (eCMR) is also permitted. This is part of a pilot program running until 2025.
The contents of a CMR consignment note are legally regulated. The following details must be included:
In addition, the document must be numbered and dated.
Always double-check all information on the CMR consignment note. If anything is incorrect, both the sender and the carrier risk fines, as the police and the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) check whether all information is accurate.
Standard templates are often used for CMR consignment notes. Below is an example. The color of the form varies by copy.
For domestic transport within the Netherlands, the AVC (General Transport Conditions) applies. These conditions also lay out the rights and obligations of all parties involved. Since some of the terms in the AVC go into more detail, many carriers declare the AVC to apply in addition to the CMR. To do this, a reference to the AVC2002 must be included on the CMR consignment note. The AVC covers important points not addressed in the CMR Convention, such as who is responsible for loading and unloading.
A CMR is mandatory for the international transport of goods by road to or from a country that is a party to the CMR Convention. A list of participating countries can be found here. The CMR consignment note is an official document that defines the agreements and responsibilities between the sender, the carrier, and the receiver. It’s important to comply with CMR regulations to avoid fines or legal issues. Properly completing and maintaining a CMR consignment note ensures a smooth transport process and helps protect the integrity of the goods during transport.
The CMR also outlines the liabilities for which the carrier is responsible. However, this doesn’t automatically mean the carrier is adequately insured. We still often see insurance policies that fall short. That’s why we always recommend checking whether your carrier has sufficient insurance coverage under CMR.
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