What is the CMR consignment note and how is it filled in?

The CMR consignment note is the mandatory international transport document for every cross-border road freight shipment, governed by the 1956 Geneva Convention. It accompanies goods throughout the journey and proves the transport contract between sender, carrier and consignee. The CMR is issued in at least 3 copies: one for the sender, one for the carrier and one for the consignee. Required fields: box 1 — sender (name, address); box 2 — consignee; box 3 — place of delivery; box 4 — place and date of collection; box 6 — description of goods (nature, number of packages, packaging type); box 7 — number of packages; box 8 — gross weight in kg; box 9 — sender's instructions for customs (Incoterm, EUR.1 notation, special instructions); box 13 — sender's instructions (ADR dangerous goods, temperature control etc.); box 22 — sender's stamp and signature; box 23 — carrier's stamp and signature; box 24 — consignee's stamp and signature on delivery. The carrier is liable for goods from collection to delivery. In case of damage or shortage, the consignee must note reservations on box 24 before signing. Maximum carrier liability is 8.33 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per kg of gross weight of damaged or lost goods. The e-CMR protocol enables a legally equivalent electronic version, already operational in several European countries.

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