Transport Documents Explained

Road Transport Documents

CMR Consignment Note

The Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR) is the standard document for international road transport:

• Required for cross-border road transport in Europe
• Three original copies: sender, carrier, recipient
• Proves contract of carriage and goods receipt
• Governs carrier liability under CMR Convention
• Contains sender, recipient, carrier details, goods description, instructions

Delivery Note / Packing List

Accompanies goods for domestic and local deliveries:

• Lists contents, quantities, and weights
• Recipient signs to confirm delivery
• Not a contract document but practical proof
• Supports inventory management and invoicing

Sea Freight Documents

Bill of Lading (B/L)

The most important document in sea freight:

• Contract of carriage - Terms between shipper and carrier
• Receipt for goods - Acknowledges cargo received
• Document of title - Original B/L controls goods ownership
• Types: Shipped B/L, Received B/L, Through B/L, Clean/Claused B/L
• Usually 3 originals; all must be surrendered to release cargo

Sea Waybill

Non-negotiable alternative to B/L:

• Not a document of title – cannot transfer ownership
• Named consignee collects without presenting document
• Faster cargo release, less risk of delay
• Suitable for intra-company shipments or trusted buyers

Air Freight Documents

Air Waybill (AWB)

Standard document for air cargo:

• Contract between shipper and airline
• Non-negotiable – not a title document
• Consignee collects with ID, no document presentation
• Master AWB: airline to airline; House AWB: forwarder to customer
• Governs liability under Montreal/Warsaw Conventions

Rail Freight Documents

CIM Consignment Note

International rail transport document (COTIF-CIM):

• Uniform rules for international rail carriage
• Covers European rail networks and some Asian routes
• Similar function to CMR for road transport
• Contains carriage terms, goods details, route information

SMGS Consignment Note

For rail transport to/from CIS countries and China:

• Used in former Soviet states and connections to China
• Different format and rules from CIM
• Required for Trans-Siberian and China rail routes

Customs & Trade Documents

T1 Transit Document

EU transit procedure document:

• Moves non-EU goods through EU without paying duty
• Electronic (NCTS) with MRN reference number
• Must be discharged at destination customs office
• Guarantee covers potential duties if goods disappear

EX1 Export Declaration

EU export customs documentation:

• Filed electronically via AES (Automated Export System)
• MRN number for customs reference
• Stamped at exit point to prove export for VAT
• Required for all commercial EU exports

Certificate of Origin

Proves where goods were manufactured:

• Non-preferential: general statement of origin
• EUR.1: preferential origin for EU trade agreements
• Form A: for GSP (developing country) preferences
• Impacts duty rates under free trade agreements

Commercial Invoice

Essential document for all shipments:

• Describes goods, quantity, price, terms
• Used for customs valuation and duty calculation
• Must match other documents accurately
• Required for payment under letter of credit