What is a CMR waybill?
The CMR waybill, also known as a consignment note, is directly linked to the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road, ratified in Geneva in 1956. This convention mandates that each transfer of goods by road requires the prior signature of a CMR waybill, provided both countries involved in the transport have signed the convention. Notably, all European Union member states have ratified this agreement, making the CMR waybill essential for international road transport throughout Europe.
Key characteristics
The CMR waybill is a mandatory document that can be drafted freely but must include several compulsory statements. It is typically prepared by one of the transport service’s stakeholders, with the transporter most commonly handling this responsibility. The document serves multiple purposes: it acts as proof of contract, receipt of goods, and can also function as an official document for recording observations or reservations about the delivery.
Although the Geneva Convention doesn’t specifically require it, the CMR waybill is usually issued in three copies: one for the sender, one for the recipient, and one for the transporter. The transporter must keep their copy on board the vehicle during transit in case of roadside inspections.
Electronic CMR (e-cmr)
When issued electronically, the document is known as an e-CMR, offering the same legal validity as its paper counterpart while providing enhanced efficiency and accessibility.
Required information
When drafting a CMR waybill, the responsible party must include essential information such as the date of establishment, complete contact details of all parties (names, addresses, and identification numbers), description of goods, weight, packaging details, and any special handling instructions.
Relationship to national documents
The CMR waybill is an international variant of the French national waybill, which is defined and regulated by the Commercial Code for domestic transport of goods within France. This relationship demonstrates how international logistics standards build upon established national frameworks to facilitate cross-border trade.
