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CMR consignment note
The international road carriage note that travels with the goods under the CMR convention.
This is general information for UK goods-vehicle operators. It is not legal advice. Use the official source on this page, and your operator licence conditions, before you rely on it.
What it is
International carriage of goods by road is often covered by the CMR convention. The CMR consignment note records the parties, the goods, the places of taking over and delivery, and any reservations about the condition of the goods. It is evidence of the contract of carriage. It is not a customs declaration and it does not replace the operator licence or the UK Licence for the Community. Domestic UK journeys do not need a CMR note.
Who holds it
The sender, the carrier and the consignee each keep a copy as the note is made out. The driver carries the transport copies with the load. The operator should keep its copy with the job.
At a visit
Customs and enforcement officers can ask for the transport documents that accompany an international load. A missing note makes it harder to show what was loaded and on what terms the goods were carried.