The documents needed for European road freight depend on the goods, route, commercial transaction and transport arrangement. A shipment may need a transport record, a packing list or delivery note, and customs paperwork where relevant. No single document replaces all the others.
| Document | Main purpose |
|---|---|
| Transport document or CMR where applicable | Records the carriage and consignment details |
| Packing list | Identifies contents and their allocation to packages |
| Commercial invoice | Records the commercial transaction and values |
| Delivery note | Helps the consignee identify the supplied goods |
| Customs declarations and supporting records | Support the applicable import, export or transit procedure |
| Proof of delivery | Records the receiving handover |
For ordinary EU movements
Union goods moving between ordinary EU customs and VAT territories generally do not require import and export clearance at each internal border. Commercial, transport, product-specific or reporting records may still be necessary. Special territories and procedures need separate checking.
For the UK or Switzerland
Identify who is responsible for export and import declarations and provide the commercial information needed by the appointed representative. A CMR does not replace a customs declaration, nor does an invoice prove that customs release has been obtained.
Keep the documents consistent
Names, physical addresses, goods descriptions, quantities, weights and references should agree across the relevant records. Explain genuine differences, such as a buyer whose billing address is separate from the delivery warehouse.
Send unclear requirements to your Cargo Euro Hub manager before collection. The customs service scope must be agreed for the booking. See CMR, packing lists and customs documentation.