AsDi Cargo

CMR consignment note: what it is and how to fill it in correctly

CMR consignment note: what it is and how to fill it in correctly

A CMR is the international consignment note that confirms the contract for the international carriage of goods by road. Its form and rules are set by the CMR Convention (Geneva, 1956). Russia and Kyrgyzstan are parties to the Convention, so on the KG ⇄ RU route a CMR is issued for every shipment.

Who fills in the CMR

  • The sender — cargo details, weight, number of packages, attached documents.
  • The carrier — its own details, vehicle numbers and reservations about the condition of the goods at loading.
  • The consignee — signature, stamp and reservations on delivery.

Under the Convention at least three originals are issued: for the sender, for the consignee (travels with the goods) and for the carrier.

Key boxes

  • 1–4 — sender, consignee, places and dates of loading and delivery.
  • 5 — attached documents: invoice, packing list, certificates.
  • 6–12 — description of goods, number of packages, gross weight and volume.
  • 18 — carrier's reservations about the condition of the goods and packaging.
  • 24 — consignee's confirmation of receipt.

Typical mistakes

  • Weight and number of packages differ from the packing list.
  • Box 18 is empty although the packaging is damaged.
  • Corrections without a signature and stamp.
  • Wrong trailer registration number.

The carrier's liability under the CMR is limited to 8.33 SDR per kilogram of gross weight. If the cargo is valuable, declare its value in the CMR or insure it.

The full table of CMR boxes and a checklist are in the PDF guide below.

Download the PDF guide “CMR consignment note: what it is and how to fill it in correctly” (3 pp.)