CMR — Consignment Note (Sender) Template
The sender's copy of the international road consignment note, retained as proof of what was handed to the carrier.
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Copy 1 — for the sender (red) — Issued subject to the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR)
| 6 Marks and Nos | 7 No. of packages | 8 Method of packing | 9 Nature of the goods | 10 Statistical number | 11 Gross weight (KG) | 12 Volume (CBM) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
About this document
A CMR note is the consignment note for international road transport under the CMR Convention. Three copies are made: this one stays with the sender. Its value is evidential. It is what proves you handed the goods to the carrier, in what condition, and on what terms, which is the question that matters if anything goes wrong later.
What the sender's copy proves
Signed by the carrier on collection, this copy is your evidence that the goods were received and that they appeared to be in good order. If the carrier makes no reservation in box 18, the goods are presumed to have been received in apparent good condition. The burden then shifts to the carrier if they arrive damaged. Getting a signed copy back at collection is therefore worth insisting on.
The sender is liable for the details
Boxes 1 to 15 are the sender's responsibility: the parties, the description, the marks, the weight, and the documents attached for customs. Under the Convention the sender is liable for loss caused by inaccuracy in those particulars. An understated weight that causes an axle overload, or a wrong description that delays clearance, lands on you. Not on the haulier.
The sender's right to redirect
Until the second copy is handed over at destination, the sender generally retains the right to stop the goods in transit, change the delivery address or nominate a different consignee. That right passes to the consignee once the goods arrive and the second copy is delivered. Know it before you need it, because the right is exercised through the carrier and against this copy.
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Keep building your document set
- Commercial InvoiceGoods, values and payment details.
- Packing List — DetailedPackages, weights and dimensions.
- Certificate of OriginThe declared origin of your goods.
- Bill of LadingShipper, consignee and cargo details.
- Shipper's Letter of InstructionInstructions for your freight forwarder.
- Verified Gross Mass DeclarationThe verified weight of a packed container.
Questions
+What is a CMR note?
The consignment note used for international road haulage between countries that are party to the CMR Convention. It records the contract of carriage, the goods, and the condition they were in when handed over.
+How many copies are there?
Three as standard. The first stays with the sender, the second travels with the goods to the consignee, and the third is retained by the carrier. Some carriers use additional copies for their own administration.
+Does a CMR prove ownership of the goods?
No. Unlike a bill of lading it is not a document of title, so possessing it does not confer ownership and it cannot be traded. It evidences the contract of carriage and the condition of the goods.
+Is a CMR required by law?
The Convention applies to qualifying international road carriage whether or not a note is issued, but the note is the practical evidence of the contract. Hauliers will not normally load without one.
+What should I do if the driver refuses to sign?
Do not release the goods without a signature or a recorded reason. An unsigned note leaves you unable to prove what was handed over, which is precisely what the document exists to establish.
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