Filled-in CMR example, box by box
The numbering below follows the standard CMR form used across Europe. On some printed forms the order of boxes 13–15 differs slightly; go by the box title, not only the number.
- 1 – Sender: company name, full address and country.
- 2 – Consignee: the company receiving the goods, with address and country.
- 3 – Place of delivery: exact unloading address and country.
- 4 – Place and date of taking over the goods: where and when the truck was loaded.
- 5 – Documents attached: invoices, packing lists, certificates, customs documents.
- 6 – Marks and numbers: the markings on packages or pallets.
- 7 – Number of packages: how many pallets or packages are shipped.
- 8 – Method of packing: pallets, boxes, bags, bulk.
- 9 – Nature of the goods: a clear description; for ADR, the class and UN number.
- 10 – Statistical number: the customs (HS) code, if required.
- 11 – Gross weight (kg): total weight including packing.
- 12 – Volume (m³): space taken, if it matters for the price.
- 13 – Sender's instructions: customs formalities, temperature, other requirements.
- 14 – Instructions as to payment for carriage: carriage paid or carriage forward.
- 15 – Cash on delivery: the amount to collect on delivery, if any.
- 16 – Carrier: the haulier, its address and the truck and trailer plates.
- 17 – Successive carriers: if another carrier takes over during the journey.
- 18 – Carrier's reservations and observations: condition of goods and packing at loading.
- 19 – Special agreements: delivery deadline, declared value, other arrangements.
- 20 – To be paid by: the table with carriage charges and other costs, for sender or consignee.
- 21 – Established in … on …: place and date the CMR was issued.
- 22 – Signature and stamp of the sender.
- 23 – Signature and stamp of the carrier (usually the driver).
- 24 – Goods received: consignee's signature and stamp, place, date and time.
The three CMR copies
The Convention requires three original copies, signed by the sender and the carrier. The first stays with the sender, the second travels with the goods to the consignee, and the third stays with the carrier. Many forms add a fourth copy for the carrier's administration. The carrier's copy, signed by the consignee in box 24, is the proof of delivery you need for invoicing.
Mistakes that delay payment
Most payment disputes start with an incomplete CMR. Check before the driver leaves the unloading point:
- box 24 not signed, or missing stamp, date and time;
- package count or weight different from the transport order;
- no reservations in box 18 although the packing was already damaged;
- plates in box 16 that don't match the truck that ran the trip;
- CMR sent to the customer only as a blurry photo when the contract asks for the original.
Deadlines for reservations on delivery
If loss or damage is visible at unloading, the consignee notes it on the CMR on the spot. For damage that isn't visible, they have 7 days (excluding Sundays and public holidays) to send reservations in writing. For delay, they have 21 days from when the goods were placed at their disposal. The carrier's liability for lost or damaged goods is generally limited to 8.33 SDR per kilogram of gross weight.
e-CMR: the electronic consignment note
The 2008 Additional Protocol allows an electronic CMR between countries that have signed it. An e-CMR has the same value as paper, but signatures happen on a phone or tablet. Before dropping paper, check that both the loading and unloading countries have ratified the protocol and that your customer accepts e-CMR.
CMRs in truckTMS
In truckTMS you attach signed CMRs straight to the trip, next to the transport order and other documents. That way you find a trip's CMR in seconds when the customer asks for it. The trip itself can be created by the AI assistant from a transport order received as a PDF or photo.
Frequently asked questions
Who fills in the CMR?
Usually the sender fills in the goods details and the carrier adds its own details and reservations. In practice many hauliers prepare the form and hand it to the sender to sign.
How many copies does a CMR have?
Three original copies under the Convention: sender, consignee and carrier. Many forms have a fourth for internal use.
Do I need a CMR for domestic transport?
The CMR Convention covers international carriage. Domestic transport uses the national consignment note or delivery note, depending on each country's rules.
What if the CMR is missing or incomplete?
The contract of carriage is still valid, but without a signed CMR the carrier struggles to prove delivery and the condition of the goods, and payment is often delayed.
Is an electronic CMR (e-CMR) valid?
Yes, between countries that have ratified the 2008 e-CMR Additional Protocol, provided the parties agree to use it.
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