CMR is the international road consignment note. The name comes from the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road. It applies only to road freight between countries. Rail and sea transport use other documents.
The CMR travels with the cargo to its destination. It confirms that a contract exists and that the cargo was taken over. One key point: the note is not the contract itself, it only proves the contract was made. The contract is drawn up separately.
A CMR has several core fields. Sender, consignee, and carrier details. Place and date of loading and delivery. Cargo description, number of packages, and gross weight. The sender's instructions, including customs details. Each field ties to driver and carrier liability, so do not sign without reading them.
A CMR is usually made out in 3 original copies. The first stays with the sender. The second travels with the cargo and goes to the consignee. The third stays with the carrier.
The sender fills in the core details: parties, cargo description, weight, and loading and delivery points. The carrier records the condition of the cargo received and any reservations. Accurate entries in each field become important evidence in a dispute.
At the border, customs may require a stamp or mark on the CMR. Keep every copy and do not lose any. After delivery, get the consignee's signature. The signature confirms that delivery was completed. A trip without a signature can later lead to a payment dispute.
If the cargo or packaging is damaged at loading, the carrier notes it on the CMR. Without a note, the carrier may later be held liable for the damage. The driver should inspect the cargo at loading. Read the data before you sign.
Common errors: wrong cargo weight, an incomplete address, signing without reservations. Such errors lead to claims and delays at the border. Photographing and keeping a copy of the note is useful. An electronic form, e-CMR, also exists, but its acceptance depends on agreement between the parties.
An international run also requires a set of other documents. Driver documents, registration papers for the truck and trailer, insurance, the permit, and customs documents. The full list depends on the route and cargo. The procedure for international transport permits is set by Government Resolution No. 114 of March 25, 2026.
Before the trip, make a document checklist and verify each expiry date. The truck must not stop at the border because of a technical fault. Have it checked at a service center before an international run. For service, see faw.uz/en/services/, and to choose a tractor unit, see faw.uz/en/products/.
Disputes under CMR most often arise from cargo damage, delivery delay, or lost cargo. In such cases the consignment note becomes the main document. The notes written on it help determine who is liable. So every field must be filled in precisely and completely.
Claim deadlines and liability limits are set by the convention. Know these deadlines, because they can be short. When a dispute arises, you gather document copies, loading and unloading photos, and reservations. Consult a lawyer.
To prevent disputes, agree terms with the shipper in advance. Make it clear how the cargo is packed, who loads, and which reservations are entered. Consider cargo insurance as well. Give the driver a short briefing: inspect the cargo, enter a reservation, read before signing.