CMR Consignment Note – Everything You Need to Know
What is a CMR Document?
The CMR Consignment Note is an international transport document that regulates the contract for the carriage of goods by road. The term CMR comes from the French Convention relative au contrat de transport international de marchandises par route.
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A CMR document – also called a waybill or consignment note – is used when goods are transported by lorry or truck between two countries. At least one of the countries involved must be a signatory of the CMR Convention. The rules apply regardless of the nationality or registered office of the parties involved.
The CMR Convention applies across all EU member states and many other countries worldwide, including the United Kingdom.
Countries Where CMR is Required
CMR consignment notes are mandatory in all countries that have signed the CMR Convention. These include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom – and many others in Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
If a particular situation is not fully covered by the CMR rules, national legislation will apply as a complement.
What Information Does a CMR Consignment Note Contain?
A standard CMR document includes key details about the transport, such as:
- Place and date of issue
- Name and address of the consignor (sender)
- Name and address of the carrier (transport company)
- Place and date of goods collection and delivery
- Name and address of the consignee (recipient)
- Description and packaging type of the goods
- Number of packages, marks, and identification numbers
- Total weight or volume of the goods
- Transport charges, customs duties, and other costs
- Instructions for customs or special handling
- A note that the transport is subject to the CMR Convention
Additional optional information can also be included, such as insurance instructions, restrictions on transshipment, or declared value of the goods.
How Many Copies of a CMR Are Required?
The CMR consignment note is normally drawn up in three original copies:
- One for the consignor (sender)
- One for the carrier (transport company)
- One for the consignee (recipient)
In practice, additional copies are often needed for freight forwarders, customs authorities, or internal company records. This is why many businesses now prefer digital and printable CMR documents, which ensure readability and compliance.
Free Online CMR Management Solution
To help logistics operators, freight forwarders, and SMEs, we created an online CMR management solution. Our platform allows you to generate, manage, and print CMR documents quickly and efficiently – available free of charge.
With CMR Management Online, you can reduce errors, save time, and keep your transport documents organised and accessible whenever you need them.
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Manual CMR vs Digital CMR
| Aspect | Paper CMR | Digital CMR |
|---|---|---|
| Creation Time | 10-15 minutes | 2-3 minutes |
| Error Risk | High (manual entry) | Low (validation) |
| Storage | Physical archives | Cloud-based |
| Legal Status | Valid | Valid (eCMR Protocol) |
| EU 2026 Ready | Partial | Full compliance |
→ CMR as proof of transport contract
Frequently Asked Questions About CMR Consignment Notes
CMR stands for “Convention relative au contrat de transport international de marchandises par route” (Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road). It is an international treaty signed in Geneva in 1956 that standardizes the conditions for transporting goods by road across borders. The CMR consignment note is the transport document required under this convention.
Yes, a CMR consignment note is legally required for all international road transport of goods between two countries where at least one has ratified the CMR Convention. Over 55 countries have signed the convention, including all EU member states, the UK, Turkey, and many CIS countries. Domestic transport within a single country may have different requirements depending on local regulations.
Under the CMR Convention, the CMR consignment note is usually prepared by the sender (shipper/consignor). However, in practice, the carrier or freight forwarder often fills in the document on behalf of the sender. Three original copies are required: one for the sender, one for the carrier, and one that accompanies the goods to the consignee (receiver).
A CMR consignment note must contain: the sender’s name and address (Box 1), the consignee’s name and address (Box 2), the place of delivery (Box 3), the place and date of taking over the goods (Box 4), the nature of the goods and method of packing (Box 10), the number of packages and their marks (Box 12), the gross weight (Box 13), and the carrier’s name and address (Box 6). Additional fields cover attached documents, special instructions, charges, and applicable law.
A traditional CMR is a paper document with three or four carbon copies. An eCMR (electronic CMR) is a legally equivalent digital version authorized by the Additional Protocol to the CMR Convention (2008). eCMR offers benefits like real-time tracking, reduced paperwork, and faster processing. As of 2026, EU regulations (eFTI) require all EU authorities to accept electronic transport documents, accelerating eCMR adoption.
Yes. CMR Management offers a free plan that allows you to create up to 5 CMR documents per month. The online platform supports 15 languages, lets you save sender/recipient data for reuse, export to PDF, and manage all your transport documents from any device. Paid plans start from 3 EUR/month for higher volumes.
Yes. The UK remains a signatory to the CMR Convention independently of EU membership, so CMR consignment notes continue to be required for international road transport between the UK and other CMR Convention countries. Post-Brexit, additional customs documentation may be needed alongside the CMR, but the CMR document itself remains fully valid and legally required.
For a detailed walkthrough of every CMR field, see our CMR completion guide.