International road freight in Europe relies on a set of documents that serve both legal and operational purposes. Below is a practical overview of the most important ones.
CMR Consignment Note
The CMR consignment note is the central document governing international road haulage. It sets out the rights and obligations of sender, carrier and consignee under the CMR Convention (1956) and is issued in at least three original copies, one for each party.
Delivery Note
The delivery note records the contents of a consignment and travels with the goods. It is prepared by the sender and countersigned by the consignee on receipt, confirming that the listed items have been delivered.
Proof of Delivery (POD)
The POD formally confirms that the goods reached the consignee. It records the date, time and signature of the receiving party and serves as evidence that the shipment was handed over in the agreed condition.
Additional documents
- Commercial invoice — required for movements to or from third countries (e.g. Switzerland, the UK)
- Packing list — itemised breakdown of the cargo contents
- ADR transport document — mandatory for dangerous-goods consignments
- T1 transit document — used for customs transit procedures
Spedition WND GmbH helps you ensure the right paperwork accompanies every shipment. If you are unsure which documents apply to your freight, get in touch and we will advise you.