CMR Convention: liability limits and deadlines
CMR is the standard regime for international trucking in Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa. It creates a standard consignment note and a uniform liability regime.
Full name: Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR), Geneva, 19 May 1956, with the 1978 Protocol
Status: In force since 2 July 1961 (UN Treaty Collection lists 58 parties)
Mode: Road
Carrier's liability limit
8.33 SDR per kilogram of gross weight short (Art. 23(3) as amended by the 1978 Protocol). The original text used 25 gold francs per kg. Carriage charges, customs duties and other charges are refunded in addition (Art. 23(4)).
Calculate a CMR Convention limit
Notice, claim and time-bar deadlines
- Notice of apparent loss/damage
- Reservations not later than the time of delivery (Art. 30(1)).
- Notice of non-apparent loss/damage
- Written reservations within 7 days of delivery, Sundays and public holidays excepted (Art. 30(1)).
- Notice of delay
- Written reservation within 21 days from the time the goods were placed at the consignee's disposal (Art. 30(3)).
- Time bar (suit)
- 1 year; 3 years for wilful misconduct or equivalent default (Art. 32(1)).
Who it applies to
Every contract for the carriage of goods by road in vehicles for reward where the place of taking over and the place of delivery are in two different countries, at least one of which is a contracting country (Art. 1(1)).
Of the 20 countries we cover, these are parties or apply it: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Türkiye (Turkey).
Important notes
- The 8.33 SDR/kg figure applies between states party to the 1978 Protocol; in other cases the 25 gold franc figure may apply.
- Higher recovery is possible with a declared value (Art. 24) or a declared special interest in delivery (Art. 26).
- Limits are broken for wilful misconduct or equivalent default (Art. 29).
FAQ
Does CMR apply to US–Canada trucking?
No. Neither Canada nor the United States is a CMR party. US–Canada truck moves fall under the Carmack Amendment for the US portion and provincial/contract terms in Canada.
Does CMR apply to UK–EU trucking after Brexit?
Yes. The UK has been a CMR party since 1967 in its own right.
Primary sources
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Prototype: this form is not connected yet and stores nothing.General information only, not legal or insurance advice. Limits depend on the contract, the documents issued, declared values, national law and the facts of each case. Check the primary sources and consult a qualified professional before relying on any figure.