Consignment Note / Waybill
1. The Consignment Note: The Proof of Delivery
The consignment note (also known as a delivery note) is a commercial document with a very clear and simple function: to certify the delivery or receipt of goods. It is, in essence, a receipt confirming that the recipient has received the products from the sender in the agreed form and timeframe. This document has several characteristics:
Main Function
Serves as proof of delivery. When the recipient signs the consignment note, they are confirming their agreement with the quantity and condition of the goods received.
Legal Value
It's a probative document with legal validity as proof of the transaction, but it doesn't have fiscal validity on its own. It doesn't replace the invoice but complements it.
Who Signs It
The recipient or the person receiving the goods.
Key Information
Includes details of the sender and recipient, the date, a description of the goods, the number of packages, and often a section for observations.
This document can be in physical or digital format, although the European Union is pushing member countries to adopt the digital format as the only valid form in the coming years.
2. The Waybill: The Transport Contract
The waybill is a legal and contractual document that formalises the transport agreement between the consignor (sender) and the carrier. Unlike the consignment note, its function goes beyond certifying delivery; it is proof of the transport contract between the consignor and their transport provider:
Main Function
Acts as a contract, receipt of the goods by the carrier, and a probative document of the service conditions.
Legal Value
It has a declarative legal character. Its possession does not imply ownership of the goods, but it does formalise the terms of the agreement, responsibilities, deadlines, and conditions.
Who Signs It
It is signed by both the consignor and the carrier at the beginning of the journey. The recipient also signs upon receiving the goods to confirm delivery.
Key Information
Contains all the information from the consignment note, plus crucial details such as the tax details and addresses of all parties, the transport price, customs instructions, and if it concerns dangerous goods (ADR).
CMR: The International Standard
For road transport between countries that are part of the CMR Convention, the CMR Waybill has been the standardised document used since 1956. It regulates the obligations and rights of all parties, offering legal certainty in international transport operations.
Currently, the CMR document remains paper-based, but the European Union plans for it to be replaced by a digital format called e-CMR from 2027, which will be connected to the EU's freight management platform.
Consignment Note vs. Waybill: A Clear Summary
As we mentioned, although both documents serve as proof of delivery, the waybill has the nature of a contract, giving it superior validity. The main differences between the two documents are:
| Characteristic | Consignment Note | Waybill |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Physical proof of delivery. | Contract and receipt of goods for transport. |
| Validity | Commercial and probative. | Legal and contractual. |
| Signature | Only the recipient. | Consignor and carrier (at start) and recipient (at end). |
| Content | Quantities, description, delivery date. | Contract conditions, prices, customs instructions, ADR data. |
| Obligation | Not always legally mandatory. | Mandatory for international transport (CMR) and dangerous goods (ADR). |
In summary, we can say that the consignment note tells you that something was delivered, while the waybill tells you who, what, how and under what conditions it was transported. Both are essential, but they fulfill different roles in the supply chain, also providing different levels of coverage.
Related Documentation
CMR Convention
Mandatory international document for road transport between countries signatory to the CMR convention.
SAD (Single Administrative Document)
Presents the essential customs form for import and export operations outside the EU.
EAD (Export Accompanying Document)
Document that certifies the effective exit of goods exported from the EU.
EUR-1
Certificate that allows obtaining tariff benefits in exports to countries with preferential agreements.
ATR
Document that certifies the customs status of products between the EU and Turkey, allowing certain tax exemptions.
Transit T1 and T2
Documents that allow the movement of goods under customs control within or outside the EU customs territory.
DGD (Dangerous Goods Declaration)
Mandatory form for the safe transport of dangerous goods, complying with international regulations.
Summary Declaration
Document containing prior information on goods arriving or leaving the customs territory for control and security purposes.