International road freight transport is facing significant change: away from the flood of paper and towards digital documents. At the center of this transformation is the e‑CMR (electronic consignment note), the digital version of the classic CMR consignment note (Convention relative au contrat de transport international de marchandises par route). The basis for this is the 2008 Additional Protocol to the CMR Convention, which has been in force since June 5, 2011.

Background and functionality

Since 1956, the CMR Convention has regulated the international land transport of goods by road. The classic CMR consignment note is created on paper (typically three copies: sender, carrier, recipient) and serves as a contract of evidence and proof of receipt. In the e-CMR electronic version, this function is digitally represented: All parties involved (sender, carrier, recipient) can access the data via platforms or apps, sign digitally and save the amount of paperwork.

Relevance for modern supply chains

For logistics service providers and shippers, e-CMR offers several key benefits:

• Increasing efficiency: Paper costs, manual entries and archiving are reduced. According to estimates, handling costs can fall to a third or a quarter.
• Real-Time Information & Transparency: Digital transmission allows timely access to shipment data and early responses in the transport process.
• Legal protection: The e-CMR is legally valid in the ratified states and meets the requirements of the CMR Convention when authenticity and integrity are guaranteed.
• sustainability: Reducing paper and logistics waste and savings in storing and shipping documents support green logistics goals.

Current implementation status and challenges

The additional part of the protocol to the CMR makes e-CMR possible, but it is being introduced gradually: 34 countries have ratified so far. However, many companies still use traditional paper variants, often due to a lack of clear regulatory requirements or a lack of digital infrastructure.

Challenges include in particular:

• System integration and compatibility with existing transportation and freight management systems
• Ensuring data protection and data security (e.g. electronic signature)
• Differences in national legal frameworks that make cross-border use difficult

Practical example: Transition in logistics

A medium-sized transport company is switching its operations from paper CMR to an e-CMR platform. The change starts with national trips and is gradually extended to cross-border traffic. The driver signs on the tablet, the recipient via QR code upon delivery. The data is automatically further processed in the transport management system, invoices are created more quickly and archiving is no longer necessary. At the same time, shipment steps can be digitally logged and analysed — such as loading and unloading times, stops or driver documentation.

Looking to the future

With regard to EU regulation, digital transport documents are expected to be standardized even more: The European Union's EFTI (electronic Freight Transport Information) regulation is intended to certify platforms for digital freight information. As a result, paper-based bills of lading could become obsolete in the medium to long term. For logistics companies, this means that strategic early implementation provides competitive advantages in terms of efficiency, transparency and sustainability.