What it is
The CMR is the international convention that governs the contract of carriage of goods by road for reward whenever the place of taking over and the place of delivery are in two different countries and at least one of them is a contracting state.
It fixes the content of the consignment note, the liability of the carrier from taking over to delivery, the limits of that liability, the deadlines to reserve rights and the limitation period for claims. It is not EU law: it is a UNECE convention with 58 contracting states.
Where it applies
International road carriage between 58 contracting states, applied by the courts of any of them. Purely national carriage follows national law, which in many countries copies the CMR.
What to know
- 01The consignment note is prima facie evidence of the contract and of the condition of the goods, but its absence does not invalidate the contract (arts. 4 to 9).
- 02The carrier is liable for total or partial loss and for damage between taking over and delivery, and for delay in delivery (art. 17), subject to the defences listed there.
- 03Compensation for loss or damage is capped at 8.33 SDR per kilogram of gross weight short (art. 23.3), unless a special value or interest was declared against a surcharge.
- 04Reservations: apparent loss or damage must be noted at delivery; non-apparent loss or damage within 7 days of delivery, in writing; only Sundays and public holidays are excluded from the count (art. 30.1).
- 05Delay: a written reservation within 21 days of the goods being placed at the consignee’s disposal (art. 30.3).
- 06Claims are time-barred after one year, or three years in case of wilful misconduct or equivalent default (art. 32).
- 07Wilful misconduct removes the carrier’s right to rely on the limits (art. 29).
Who needs to know it
- Transport managers and forwarders who issue or receive consignment notes and handle claims.
- Drivers, who sign the note and record reservations at loading and delivery.
- Claims and insurance staff, who count the days from the CMR deadlines calculator.
An informative summary, not legal advice. Always check the current text of the rule before deciding.