A CMR consignment note concerns the road carriage and its recorded consignment details. A delivery note concerns the goods being supplied to the recipient. The same shipment may need both because the transport and commercial receiving processes have different requirements.
| Feature | CMR consignment note | Delivery note |
|---|---|---|
| Main role | Transport and handover record | Supplier’s record of delivered goods |
| Typical content | Carrier, sender, consignee, packages, weight and reservations | Products, quantities and order references |
| Operational use | Collection, carriage and receiving evidence | Checking goods against the purchase order |
| Customs function | May support a document set | May support identification of goods |
Neither document automatically replaces an import or export declaration.
Example: a warehouse receiving stock
The warehouse may use the delivery note to identify product lines and quantities. The transport document may record that four pallets were delivered and that one pallet’s wrapping was torn. Both records can matter, but they describe different aspects of the same event.
Keep identifiers consistent
Use the correct shipment and commercial references so the two records can be connected. Distinguish carton counts from pallet counts and explain differences between the billing party and physical receiving site.
At delivery
The consignee should not assume that a note on an internal warehouse form will automatically appear on the carrier’s delivery record. Record relevant visible issues on the appropriate handover document and keep copies.
Ask your Cargo Euro Hub manager which records are required for the booked route. Read CMR, delivery notes and recording visible damage.