The CMR consignment note is the document that travels with an international road transport under the CMR Convention. It evidences the contract terms and the carrier’s receipt of the goods in the condition stated; absent reservations, they are presumed to have been in good order.
It records consignor, consignee, carrier, goods, gross weight, instructions and, where agreed, a declared value. The carrier notes its reservations at loading; the consignee at delivery. Without those notes, a later claim is far harder.
The electronic version (e-CMR) has the same standing in countries that ratified the corresponding protocol. The CMR deadlines tool counts from the delivery date it shows.