Use and edit template for free

CMR Consignment Note Template and Example PDF

Start with a free 30-day trial. No credit card required.

This CMR consignment note streamlines transfers in only a few clicks to comply with regulatory requirements. Set required fields to avoid incomplete entries, appoint digital sign-offs, and help necessary parties verify all placed information before delivery.

Need a function to avoid common problems? You can pre-build a CMR consignment note and use it anytime and anywhere in the field using any mobile device, store it online, and/or easily export it into PDF or CSV with your company branding and logo.

100% fully editable CMR Delivery Note

Export your CMR Delivery Note to PDF or CSV

Access Delivery Notes on mobile, tablet or computer

Thousands of templates including other Waste Templates

Click to preview full template

Trusted by over 250,000 people from built-world companies of all sizes

~10,000 employees

~500 employees

~10 employees

~25,000 employees

~200 employees

~1,500 employees

~20 employees

What is a CMR Consignment Note?

CMR, from a logistics perspective, is the standard agreement for shipping products throughout the world and outlines the conditions of the buyer-seller contract, their obligations, and the adherences to be taken into account when shipping. The CMR is also the first document to be examined in the event of an incident during shipment, since it contains all the necessary information about the delivery.

Having said that, CMR Consignment Notes are essential documents that offer crucial details about the delivery process, thereby ensuring that your goods reach their intended destination.

Compare this example digital form to legacy Word Doc, Excel and PDF forms

See this flexible digital CMR Consignment Note that is provided below, and look into which is more convenient to use vs other PDF forms that you have to edit manually. Navigate through, toggle, and edit the template to see for yourself.

Use this CMR Consignment Note template for free.

Get started now

CMR Consignment Note Meaning

The CMR Consignment Note was originally named based on its French title in the 1956 convention in Geneva, “Convention relative au contrat de transport international de commodities par route,” which directly translates to Convention on the contract for the international carriage of goods by road. This convention was joined by all the states in Europe, a few countries that are located in Central Asia, a large number of nations that are located in the Middle East, and two African countries, namely Tunisia and Morocco. The purpose of this convention was to establish terms and conditions for international goods transported by road. This agreement led to the creation of the CMR consignment note, which serves the following functions:

Provide Structured Information

The CMR consignment note should be able to provide the thorough details about the goods being delivered, the sender details, consignee details, and instructions on how the goods should be handled. This was the structured information the convention agreed upon, since these data will help the sender, carrier, and consignee protect their interests in case of damaged goods and prevent any misunderstanding in all the parties involved. The details here will also provide a legal anchor throughout the transport process. Any disputes that may arise can use the information contained in the CMR consignment note as legal evidence to support claims.

Create a Legal Contract

The CMR consignment note is considered to be a legitimate agreement primarily between the sender and the carrier. This agreement will serve as a contract that outlines the terms and conditions that the two parties have agreed upon regarding the delivery of the items and the method of delivery. Having this legal document will make sure that clear accountability is defined for all the parties involved in the shipment of goods. This arrangement will also streamline claims when disputes arise, since there is a legal agreement signed by all the parties involved. It would be easy to pinpoint who is accountable for the problem that arose during the delivery.

Traceable document

The CMR consignment note will make the goods easily traceable. This ensures that everyone involved in the delivery of goods knows where the goods are at all times as they progress to their final destination. This denotes that there is always transparency, which can help greatly with decision-making as the goods are being transported, making sure they arrive safely to their target location. The disclosure will also boost client confidence, which is beneficial to both the sender and the carrier. Aside from the freight being traceable, delivery performance can also be gauged with the CMR delivery note. The senders and carriers can take a look at which deliveries did not meet expectations, and they can provide solutions to close the gap, further enhancing their procedures.

CMR Consignment Note: How Many Copies?

This copy is going to be kept by the sender. The receipt will verify the delivery of the item(s) to the carrier following the contract signing. Additionally, they will use this copy as an internal record to streamline the inventory process. The information will make it simpler for them to respond to customer service evaluations and follow-ups, improve their ability to keep track of their inventories, and assist them in doing their accounting tasks.

Consignee’s copy

In light of the fact that this copy is meant for the consignee, who is typically the receiver, it will be carried and delivered with the goods. This document will serve as a checklist for the consignee to employ in order to verify that all of the deliveries have arrived. The consignee may use this document as a checklist to inspect that the quantity and quality of the items are in accordance with the conditions that were agreed upon. This document becomes very important in the event that there are any inconsistencies in the items that have been delivered. It is highly recommended that you include this copy with the discrepancy report in the event that the consignee is required to return anything.

Carrier’s Copy

The carrier transporting the agreed-upon goods will keep this copy. This will confirm that the carrier has received the goods from the sender and that there are no discrepancies in the agreed-upon quantity and quality upon receipt. This copy will also confirm that the carrier has received the goods and is now responsible for their safe transport. This copy of the CMR consignment note is useful to the carrier since it is one of the important documents needed for an insurance claim when there are damaged goods.

Administrative Copy

While not really required, it is beneficial to keep a fourth copy of the CMR consignment note. This copy will be useful in times of regulatory reviews or audits. This version is the copy you could provide to regulatory and government authorities, company accountants for tax compliance, and for any statistical documentation needed internally or externally from the company. This CMR copy also serves as a backup copy if ever the original copy becomes lost or tampered with.

CMR Consignment Note Colours or 'Chromaticity'

We need several copies of the CMR consignment notes, so it is necessary to differentiate between all the copies sent to the various parties involved in the delivery. For the purpose of identifying a single item from another, one of the most typical procedures in company operations is to assign distinct hues to the different things. Using this method, you will be able to differentiate between the several versions of the CMR consignment letter. Here is our recommendation:

Red for the consigner's copy
Blue for the consignee’s copy
Green for the carrier’s copy
Gray for the Administrative copy

Although the laws do not really necessitate the provision of these hues, this method has the potential to make the entire delivery operation more efficient. The reduction of human mistakes is one of the advantages that it offers. When it comes to fast-paced logistical operations, this approach is especially helpful since it allows for rapid identification of which copy belongs to whom. Additionally, it reduces confusion by guaranteeing that the copy is provided to the appropriate person. This approach keeps things neat and filed by ensuring a difference between the copies and maintaining a systematic approach.

Other popular templates you can use and edit for free

Hazardous Waste Transfer Note

Be in conformance with the Northern Ireland Environmental Agency with your waste transfer

Hazardous Waste Consignment Note

Ensure your hazardous waste transfer process is structured and correct

Hazardous Waste Management Plan

Manage a project while reducing its environmental impact

This Delivery Note was generated with Dashpivot

Making workflow forms has never been this easy. With Dashpivot, creating and managing docs like this is now simpler, faster, and more user-friendly:

Make it easy to fill out well-documented materials tracking reports by having drop-down fields with pre-populated data for commonly used categories.
You can print, download, or send your CMR delivery note as a properly prepared PDF that includes your company's color scheme and logo.
Monitor changes in delivery times or routes taken by the carrier in real time.
Both internal and external parties can view, edit, and approve the CMR delivery note records online.