CMR is an international consignment note used in road transport of goods. The name comes from the French abbreviation "Convention relative au contrat de transport international de marchandises par route" – the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road, signed in Geneva in 1956. The CMR document confirms the conclusion of a transport contract between the consignor, carrier and consignee, and also serves as proof of acceptance of goods for transport.

The CMR consignment note is mandatory for every international road transport of goods when the place of loading and unloading are located in two different countries, at least one of which has ratified the CMR Convention. Currently, this applies to over 55 countries, including all European Union countries. The document is issued in a minimum of three copies: for the consignor, carrier and consignee.

A properly completed CMR contains key information about the shipment: consignor and consignee details, place of loading and unloading, description of goods, their weight and number of pieces, as well as any special instructions. The document also defines the carrier's liability for the entrusted cargo – in case of damage or loss of goods, the CMR serves as the basis for claiming compensation.

It's worth knowing that since 2017, more and more countries also accept the electronic version of the consignment note – e-CMR. A digital document with electronic signature speeds up document circulation, eliminates the risk of losing papers and enables instant access to data from anywhere. Regardless of form, proper issuance of CMR protects all parties to the transaction and is essential for smooth transport settlement.