CMR Consignment Note and TIR Carnet: Road Transport Documents
The CMR consignment note records the international road transport contract; the TIR carnet covers customs transit. What each document proves, how they differ and which other papers travel with the truck.
A CMR consignment note is the standard transport document in international road freight. It records the contract of carriage between the sender, the carrier and the consignee, and proves that the goods were handed over to the carrier. It takes its name from the CMR Convention (Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road) and is issued for every road shipment between countries that are parties to the convention.
The TIR carnet has a different job: it does not cover the contract of carriage but secures the customs transit procedure. It lets a sealed truck cross transit countries without paying a customs guarantee at every border. If you import goods by road from Turkey or China, this guide explains both documents, how they differ and which other road transport documents your shipment needs.
What is a CMR consignment note and what does it prove?
The CMR note has three main functions. First, it shows that a contract of carriage exists and sets out its terms. Second, it proves that the carrier received the goods in the stated quantity and apparent condition; if the carrier writes no reservation, the goods are presumed to have been received in good order. Third, the consignee's signature on delivery confirms that the goods arrived.
The note is made out in three original copies: one stays with the sender, one travels with the goods to the consignee and one stays with the carrier.
What information does a CMR note contain?
- Names and addresses of the sender, carrier and consignee
- Place and date of loading, place of delivery
- Description of the goods, type of packaging, number of packages, gross weight and marks
- ADR class and UN number for dangerous goods
- Carriage charges and payment terms, customs and other costs
- Attached documents (invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, other certificates)
- Signatures of the sender and carrier, and the consignee's signature and stamp on delivery
If the consignee sees damage or shortage on delivery, it must be written on the CMR note. For visible damage, note it at delivery; for hidden damage, send written notice within seven days of delivery (Sundays and public holidays excluded). Without this, the claim against the carrier becomes much weaker.
The CMR Convention and carrier liability
The CMR Convention does more than define a form: it also sets the framework of the carrier's liability. The carrier is liable for loss, damage and delay from the moment it takes over the goods until delivery to the consignee. This liability is limited, however: compensation is capped at 8.33 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per kilogram of gross weight.
For high-value goods this limit can be far below the real value of the cargo. That is why the carrier's CMR liability insurance and the cargo owner's own cargo insurance complement each other; we compare them in our article on cargo insurance and CMR liability.
Who organises transport and carries the risk also depends on the delivery term in the sales contract. Under EXW the buyer organises the transport; under DAP the seller does. Our guide to Incoterms 2020 explains where the risk passes from seller to buyer.
What is a TIR carnet and when is it needed?
The TIR carnet is an international customs transit document used under the TIR Convention, administered by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) with the IRU running the guarantee chain. It is issued to the road carrier through the national guaranteeing association (in Turkey, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges, TOBB), and one carnet is used for one transport. The truck is sealed at the customs office of departure; customs in transit countries check only the seal and the carnet and let the vehicle pass without asking for a separate guarantee in each country.
The carnet provides a guarantee for customs duties through the chain of national associations. This speeds up long transit journeys through countries such as Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran or Russia, and TIR carnets are widely used on Turkey to Central Asia freight routes and on shipments to Russia.
Within the European Union, transit is mostly handled electronically through NCTS with T1/T2 declarations, so common transit may be used instead of a TIR carnet for EU-bound cargo. The procedure depends on the route and the carrier's authorisations. Customs steps are explained in our customs clearance guide.
How does a TIR carnet work during the journey?
The carnet is opened at the customs office of departure and the cargo compartment is sealed. At each border, the exit and entry customs offices detach and stamp the relevant vouchers; as long as the seal is intact, the cargo moves on without physical inspection. At the customs office of destination the carnet is discharged and the goods move into import clearance. Correct discharge ends the guaranteeing association's liability, so the carrier returns the carnet on time.
CMR consignment note vs TIR carnet
| Feature | CMR consignment note | TIR carnet |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Contract of carriage and proof of delivery | Customs transit guarantee |
| Legal basis | CMR Convention | TIR Convention |
| Issued by | Sender and carrier together | National guaranteeing association, issued to the carrier |
| When required | Every international road carriage between contracting states | Only for sealed transit through third countries |
| Protects | Rights of sender, consignee and carrier | Customs revenue of transit countries |
| Liability covered | Carrier's liability for loss, damage and delay | Customs duties and seal integrity |
In short, without a CMR note an international road shipment is legally incomplete, while the TIR carnet is a supplementary customs tool used when the transit route requires it. A single shipment often carries both.
Other road transport documents
The carrier and driver also need a set of documents. The carrier must hold a licence for international road transport, and the truck needs bilateral or transit road permits for the countries on its route. The driver needs a certificate of professional competence and, for dangerous goods, an ADR training certificate.
Road permits are allocated on a quota basis, so ask your forwarder in advance whether the carrier holds permits for every country on the route.
On the cargo side, the commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin travel with the truck, plus an A.TR for the EU, a EUR.1 for free trade agreement countries and a phytosanitary or veterinary certificate for food. The full list is in our article on shipping documents for international freight. Always confirm requirements against current regulations and the rules of the destination country.
Common mistakes on the CMR note
- The number of packages and gross weight do not match the packing list, leading to inspection and delay at the border.
- The carrier does not write a reservation for packaging damage seen at loading, which causes liability disputes later.
- The consignee signs on delivery without noting damage on the document.
- The delivery address or consignee name differs from the invoice.
- Dangerous goods information and the UN number are left out.
Most of these errors are prevented by comparing each field with the invoice and packing list, and by entering the final loading figures.
Frequently asked questions
Who fills in the CMR note?
It is usually prepared by the sender, or by a forwarder on the sender's behalf; the carrier checks and signs it when taking over the goods. The sender is responsible for the accuracy of the information.
Can goods be shipped abroad by road without a CMR note?
A CMR note is required for international road carriage between contracting states. The contract of carriage may still exist without it, but proving loss or damage becomes much harder.
In which countries is the TIR carnet valid?
It is valid in the countries operating the TIR system, which include Turkey's neighbours and most countries in Central Asia, the Caucasus, Russia and Europe. Operating details vary by country, so check current requirements when planning the route.
Are the CMR note and TIR carnet used together?
Yes. The CMR consignment note documents the contract of carriage and the TIR carnet the transit guarantee, so a truck from Antalya to Kazakhstan, for example, carries both.
BNK Logistics (BNK Lojistik), based in Muratpaşa, Antalya, plans road, sea and rail shipments to Europe, Russia, Central Asia and China, and prepares the document set for your route together with you. Send your cargo details through our quote form or call us on +90 542 485 53 70 or message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 485 53 70.
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