CMR is the international road consignment note governed by the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road, which establishes the legal framework for road freight contracts and carrier liability across signatory countries.
In trade practice
For every cross-border road shipment from Ukraine to the EU, the carrier issues a CMR note listing the sender, consignee, goods description, agreed delivery point and any special instructions such as temperature requirements. Logistics teams check that the CMR matches the commercial invoice and packing list before departure, as discrepancies can cause delays at border crossings. The CMR also serves as primary evidence in cargo damage or loss claims, so reefer temperature settings should be recorded on it or in an attached rider.
In a specification
Contracts for road-transported frozen goods typically require the CMR to reference the agreed carriage temperature and to be retained by both parties for a defined period as part of the cold chain documentation record.