Digital CMR vs paper CMR
By TruckThrust · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
The CMR consignment note is the standard contract document for international road carriage. The e-CMR is its electronic equivalent. This guide explains the difference and what to weigh before going digital.
What each one is
- CMR — the paper consignment note under the CMR Convention (1956) for international road transport.
- e-CMR — the electronic version enabled by the Additional Protocol to the CMR Convention (2008), carrying the same legal information digitally.
Why hauliers move to digital
- No lost or damaged paperwork
- Proof of delivery reaches the office in real time
- Photo evidence and signatures captured at the point of handover
- Searchable records instead of filing cabinets
Before you switch
- Confirm which countries on your lanes accept e-CMR
- Check your customers' and insurers' requirements
- Make sure capture works offline for areas with no signal
TruckThrust provides a digital CMR workflow with photo capture and signatures that works fully offline and syncs when signal returns.