CMR
Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road · International road consignment note
A CMR is the standard transport document for international road freight. It shows that the carrier received the goods, and it travels with the truck.
In plain words
The name comes from the CMR Convention, an international agreement signed in Geneva in 1956. The letters come from the French name of the convention. Turkey and many countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East apply this convention.
The CMR note lists the sender, the carrier, the consignee, the places of loading and delivery, and the goods: number of packages, weight, and description. There are usually three main originals: one for the sender, one that travels with the goods, and one for the carrier.
At delivery, the consignee signs the CMR. If packages are missing or damaged, write this on the CMR before you sign. This note is important if you make a claim later.
The CMR is not a document of title like a Bill of Lading. The goods are delivered to the consignee named on it. The convention also limits how much the carrier must pay for loss or damage. This limit can be lower than the value of the goods, so many shippers also buy cargo insurance.
Example from real shipping
A truck loads machine parts in Istanbul for a buyer in Munich. At loading, the driver and the sender sign the CMR, and the driver checks that there are 24 pallets. In Munich, the buyer counts only 23 pallets. Before signing, the buyer writes “1 pallet missing” on the CMR, and the driver signs too. This record helps with the claim to the carrier and the insurer.
Related terms
- B/LA Bill of Lading (B/L) is the main document for sea freight. The carrier issues it when it takes the goods. It shows who can collect the goods at the destination.
- ETAETA is the date and time when a ship, truck, or plane is expected to arrive. It is an estimate, so it can change.
- TIR CarnetA TIR Carnet is an international customs document that lets a sealed truck carry goods across several countries with customs checks mainly at the start and the end of the journey.
- Ro-RoA Ro-Ro ship carries cargo on wheels. Trucks, trailers, cars, and machines drive on and off the ship over ramps, without cranes.
- Tilt trailer / CurtainsiderThe standard European semi-trailer: a 13.6 m loading area covered by a tarpaulin. It can be loaded from the rear, the sides, or the top.
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Request a QuoteThis glossary is general information, not legal or customs advice. Rules, fees, and practice can differ by carrier, port, and country.