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What is CMR: the Convention and the International Road Consignment Note
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A logistics partnership agreement was concluded next to transport lorries.
In short
CMR is the convention of 19 May 1956 governing the contract for the international carriage of goods by road. By extension, "CMR" also refers to the consignment note that serves as evidence of this contract. Romania acceded by Decree 451/1972, and to e-CMR by Law 29/2019.
Contents
Short answer
CMR is the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road, signed in Geneva on 19 May 1956. In everyday usage, "CMR" also means the consignment note, the document that serves as evidence of the contract for international carriage by road. Romania acceded to the convention by Decree no. 451/1972. By Law no. 29/2019 it also acceded to the Additional Protocol concerning the electronic consignment note (e-CMR).
When the CMR Convention applies
- It applies to every contract for the carriage of goods by road in vehicles for reward, where the place of taking over of the goods and the place designated for delivery are situated in two different countries, at least one of which is a contracting country.
- If the vehicle containing the goods is carried over part of the journey by sea, rail, inland waterways or air, without the goods being unloaded from the vehicle, the convention applies to the whole of the carriage.
- The carrier is also responsible for the acts and omissions of his agents and of any other persons whose services he makes use of for the performance of the carriage.
The CMR consignment note in brief
- The absence, irregularity or loss of the consignment note does not affect the existence or the validity of the contract of carriage, which remains subject to the provisions of the convention.
- It is made out in three original copies, signed by the consignor and by the carrier. The first copy remains with the consignor, the second accompanies the goods, and the third remains with the carrier.
- Where the goods are to be loaded in different vehicles, or where they are of different kinds or are divided into different lots, the consignor or the carrier has the right to require a separate consignment note to be made out for each vehicle used, or for each kind or lot of goods.
- The electronic version (e-CMR) is governed by the Additional Protocol adopted in Geneva on 20 February 2008, to which Romania has acceded.
What data the customer (the consignor) must provide
As the consignor, prepare in good time:
- the name and address of the consignor and of the consignee;
- the place and date of loading, and the place designated for delivery;
- the common description of the goods and the method of packing; for dangerous goods, their generally recognised description;
- the number of packages, the special marks and the numbers on them;
- the gross weight or the quantity of the goods otherwise expressed;
- the instructions required for customs and other formalities.
Important: the consignor is liable for expenses and damage suffered by the carrier because of inaccurate or insufficient particulars. Please therefore check the data before you submit it.
What influences the cost
The consignment note covers the costs relating to the carriage (carriage charges, supplementary charges, customs duties and other charges incurred from the making of the contract until delivery).
- the nature of the goods, including their status as dangerous goods, and the method of packing;
- the number of packages, the weight or the volume;
- the customs formalities required;
- additional services requested: cash on delivery, declared value or special interest in delivery, insurance instructions;
- special conditions, such as a prohibition of transshipment or an agreed time limit;
- the route, including any sections by ferry or by rail with the goods remaining in the vehicle.
Practical steps
- Pack and mark the packages so that the number and the marks correspond to those in the document.
- At loading, the carrier checks the number of packages, their marks and numbers, and the apparent condition of the goods and their packaging. If the carrier has no reasonable means of checking the accuracy of the particulars, he will enter reservations in the consignment note, which must be substantiated. Read them before signing.
- Keep the copy that is yours (the first copy).
Do you have an international shipment to prepare?
Send us the details of the goods and the route. We will help you check the particulars of the CMR consignment note and the steps required for your shipment.
The information in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For a specific situation, check the requirements in the official texts in force.
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Frequently asked questions
What does CMR mean?
CMR is the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road, signed in Geneva on 19 May 1956. In everyday usage, the term also refers to the consignment note, the document that serves as evidence of the contract for international carriage by road.
When does the CMR Convention apply?
It applies to every contract for the carriage of goods by road in vehicles for reward, if the place of taking over of the goods and the place of delivery are in two different countries, at least one of which is a contracting country. The residence and nationality of the parties are irrelevant.
Which transport operations are not covered by CMR?
The convention does not apply to carriage performed under international postal conventions, funeral consignments or furniture removals.
How many copies does the CMR consignment note have, and who receives them?
It is made out in three original copies, signed by the consignor and by the carrier. The first remains with the consignor, the second accompanies the goods, and the third remains with the carrier.
What happens if the consignment note is missing or lost?
The contract of carriage remains valid and subject to the convention, even if the consignment note is missing, irregular or lost.
What data must the consignor prepare?
The name and address of the consignor and of the consignee, the place and date of loading, the place of delivery, the description of the goods and the method of packing, the number of packages, their marks and numbers, the gross weight or quantity, and the instructions for customs and other formalities.
What is e-CMR, and has Romania acceded to it?
e-CMR is the electronic version of the consignment note, governed by the Additional Protocol adopted in Geneva on 20 February 2008. Romania acceded to this protocol by Law no. 29/2019.
Sources (3)
- Conventia CMR din 19 mai 1956 privind contractul de transport international rutier de marfuri (text in limba romana, Decretul 451/1972) · accessed 2026-10-21
- Decretul 451/1972 privind aderarea Romaniei la Conventia CMR · accessed 2026-10-21
- Legea 29/2019 privind aderarea Romaniei la Protocolul aditional e-CMR · accessed 2026-10-21
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