CMR is the international convention governing road freight between countries, signed in Geneva in 1956 and now covering more than 57 states. It establishes the CMR consignment note as evidence of the contract and caps carrier liability at 8.33 Special Drawing Rights per kilogram of gross weight, a limit that rarely reflects the actual value of high-value, low-weight cargo. Claims for visible damage must be filed within seven days, and non-apparent damage within twenty-one, deadlines that catch shippers out more often than the liability cap itself.
What CMR actually covers
CMR applies to any contract for carrying goods by road between two countries, when at least one of them is a party to the convention, regardless of where the parties are established. It sets uniform rules for carrier liability, the consignment note, and how claims and disputes are handled, replacing a patchwork of national rules that made cross-border road freight unpredictable, a harmonization goal consistent with the trade facilitation work of the World Customs Organization.
- The carrier is presumed liable for loss, damage, or delay from the moment goods are taken over until delivery, unless they can prove a specific exemption applies.
- Recognized exemptions include force majeure, inherent vice in the goods, the sender’s own fault, or defective packaging the carrier could not have detected.
- The consignment note is evidence of the contract, not a document of title, and its absence does not invalidate the underlying agreement.
The liability cap that surprises most shippers
Carrier liability under CMR is capped at 8.33 Special Drawing Rights per kilogram of gross weight, a figure set decades ago and still the default today. For bulky, low-value freight this cap is generous. For a small, high-value shipment, electronics, pharmaceuticals, or precision components, it can fall dramatically short of the actual loss.
- The cap applies per kilogram, not per shipment, so a light but valuable parcel recovers far less than its real worth if something goes wrong.
- Shippers can declare a higher value on the consignment note and pay a surcharge, which raises the carrier’s exposure to that declared figure.
- Separate cargo insurance remains the more common fix, since relying on the default cap alone leaves a real gap between what is lost and what is recovered.
When the cap disappears entirely
Article 29 of the convention, published in full by the International Chamber of Commerce, removes the liability cap completely in cases of willful misconduct, or conduct treated as equivalent to it under the law applied by the court hearing the case. When this applies, the carrier’s liability becomes unlimited, which is precisely why establishing what actually happened to the cargo, and when, matters as much as the value of the claim itself.
Claim deadlines that move faster than people expect
CMR sets specific windows for raising a claim, and missing them can cost the right to claim at all, regardless of how clear the damage is.
- Visible damage has to be noted and objected to at the time of delivery, or within seven days if not noted immediately.
- Non-apparent damage allows a slightly longer window of twenty-one days from delivery to raise the issue formally.
- The general limitation period is one year, extended to three years only where willful misconduct is involved, and a written claim suspends that clock until the carrier formally rejects it.
A signature on the consignment note without reservations is treated as acceptance that the goods arrived as described, which makes the moment of delivery itself one of the most consequential points in the entire process.
The eCMR alternative
An electronic version of the consignment note has had the same legal standing as the paper original since 2011, under an additional protocol to the convention. Adoption still varies by country and by carrier, so confirming whether a given route accepts eCMR before relying on it is worth doing in advance rather than discovering the answer at a border.
Where fast documentation still matters
- A damage notation missed at delivery, where a formal written claim has to reach the carrier within the seven or twenty-one day window before the right to claim narrows.
- A declared value form needed urgently, where a shipper decides late to raise the liability cap on a high-value shipment already close to collection.
- An original signed consignment note requested as evidence, since a scanned copy may not satisfy a court or insurer examining a disputed claim.
In each case, the underlying issue is a document that has to reach the right party before a clock most people underestimate runs out.
How OBC ONE supports an urgent CMR situation
A typical mission runs through six steps with OBC ONE, most of which overlap to save time.
- Brief and quote. You share what needs delivering, the origin, the party involved, and the deadline. OBC ONE returns an all-in quote in under 15 minutes.
- Courier assignment. A vetted courier near the origin is dispatched immediately.
- Secure pickup. The claim letter, declared value form, or signed original is collected directly from the party holding it.
- Personal custody in transit. The courier carries the item in the cabin, staying with it through every connection.
- Direct delivery. Handover happens with the carrier, insurer, or legal counsel who needs it.
- Proof of delivery. Timestamped confirmation for the file.
Why freight forwarders route these missions through OBC ONE
Choosing the right partner for an urgent CMR document starts with the business model. Many specialty couriers sell directly to shippers, which puts them in competition with the forwarders who might otherwise use them. OBC ONE is built the opposite way: we work exclusively for and with freight forwarders and time-critical desks. We never approach your clients directly and never compete with you.
That partner model is backed by real operator experience. OBC ONE was founded by an onboard courier who personally flew roughly three million kilometers over six years, so the network understands what a genuine claim deadline requires. Forwarders use us because we deliver:
- An all-in quote in under 15 minutes, 24/7/365.
- 1,500+ vetted couriers positioned around major hubs worldwide.
- True door to door coverage, with import and export customs clearance and Importer of Record service in most markets.
- IATA certified dangerous goods capability for shipments that require it.
- One specialty, onboard courier and hand carry for time-critical missions, done at the highest standard.
How to choose a partner for an urgent CMR document
- Real familiarity with how CMR claim deadlines actually work, not just general freight knowledge.
- Fast, transparent quoting, ideally with a named dispatcher accountable for the mission.
- Direct delivery to the specific carrier, insurer, or counsel involved, not just address level delivery.
- Documented dangerous goods competence, where relevant to the specific shipment.
- A forwarder-only model, if you are a forwarder, so your delivery partner never becomes a competitor for your clients.
Frequently asked questions
What is CMR?
CMR is the international convention governing road freight between countries, establishing the CMR consignment note and capping carrier liability at 8.33 Special Drawing Rights per kilogram of gross weight, unless the shipper declares a higher value.
Why does the liability cap matter for high-value cargo?
The cap applies per kilogram, not per shipment, so a light but valuable parcel recovers far less than its actual worth if lost or damaged. Shippers can declare a higher value and pay a surcharge, or arrange separate cargo insurance to close that difference.
When does the CMR liability cap disappear entirely?
Article 29 removes the cap in cases of willful misconduct or conduct treated as equivalent to it, making the carrier’s liability unlimited in those situations.
How long do I have to file a CMR claim?
Visible damage has to be objected to at delivery or within seven days if not noted immediately. Non-apparent damage allows twenty-one days. The general limitation period is one year, extended to three years for willful misconduct.
Is eCMR legally valid?
Yes. The electronic consignment note has had the same legal standing as the paper original since 2011 under an additional protocol, though adoption still varies by country and carrier.
Do you sell directly to shippers or buyers?
No. OBC ONE works exclusively with and for freight forwarders and time-critical desks. We act as a white label partner and never approach our clients’ customers directly.
Get a CMR document moving in 15 minutes
If you are a freight forwarder facing a CMR claim deadline or a documentation request, OBC ONE is your specialist hand carry partner, 24/7, worldwide and never a competitor. Contact our team for an all-in quote in under 15 minutes, or explore more time-critical logistics insights.
