What is the consignment note in transport?

The consignment note is a legal and declarative document that shows the existence of a transport contract between two companies. The consignment note also serves to inform of the terms in which the agreement between said companies has been produced and attributes the rights over the merchandise that is being transported. Therefore, it is mandatory that the use of the consignment note be formalized every time a transport contract is produced. For example, if the shipment of the merchandise is to be carried out in a single trip, there will only be one consignment note, but if it is to be carried out on several different days or in several vehicles at the same time, it will be required that for each vehicle and/or transport, there is a duly sealed and completed consignment note. The Authorities may require this documentation in any check carried out during the journey or routine inspection.

Who issues the consignment note?

Below, we indicate who is responsible for preparing these letters before the trip:

• Actual carrier: Who is authorized to travel, whether a natural or legal person, to transport the merchandise.
• Contractual charger: Person who contacts the actual carrier, whether the actual shipper is a logistics operator, etc. That is, any person, whether physical or legal, who is an intermediary and takes part in the contracting of the service.

When is a consignment note not necessary?

The consignment note is not necessary for moving, parcel services or transportation of damaged vehicles or accidents.

What is the content?

The content of a consignment note is the following:

• Date of issue and place
• Full name, NIF/CIF, address… (Sender details)
• Full name, NIF/CIF, address… (Carrier details)
• Place and date of receipt of merchandise by the carrier
• Place and date of receipt of merchandise at destination
• Name, address and details of the recipient
• Especificacion de the cargo (bultos, identificacion…)
• If it is dangerous goods, identification of the code of these
• Quantity of merchandise to be sent, identified by weight (kg)
• License plates of the vehicles involved in the trip
• Types of packagings packaged in shipment
• transport price
• Indicate whether the transport price is paid by the shipper or the recipient
• Declaration of value of goods
• Instructions for compliance with administrative procedures in relation to the transported merchandise

How many copies of the consignment note should there be?

The consignment note must be used with three original copies, which will be delivered in the following way:

• First copy: To be kept by the shipper
• Second copy: Will travel with the merchandise at all times
• Third copy: The carrier will keep it

The recipient may demand that the copy that travels with the merchandise be returned as insurance that said merchandise has been delivered. The signature on the consignment note can be valid by mechanical means as long as the identity of the signatory is proven with a stamp or seal. When signed, it will conclude the agreement and its content, as well as the receipt of goods. If both parties agree, the consignment note can be issued electronically in accordance with current legislation.

Electronic waybill

The electronic consignment note must contain all the aspects that we have mentioned above for any type of document of this type. The morality of these instructions must always be followed from the moment it is prepared so that all the rules are met and are complete. Another aspect is that

• Method of elaboration and referral.
• Integrity maintenance guarantees.
• How you can demonstrate that you are the owner of the rights derived from the letter.
• How it will be established to corroborate effective delivery to the recipient.
• Procedures that may be modified in their content.
• Possibility of replacing this electronic document with another different means.

What should it contain?

The electronic consignment note must contain all the aspects mentioned above for this type of document.The integrity of these instructions must be preserved throughout the document’s lifecycle to ensure all rules are met and that the data is complete.Another aspect is that the consignment note’s instructions must be modifiable or expandable based on the assumptions of the consignment notes; therefore, the procedure to follow is to ensure that the main indications are kept intact in each case.

Advantages of the electronic consignment note

This document in digital format reduces the error rate, so its advantages are the following:

• Improved version of CMR: It has the advantages of conventional CMR, but the paperwork and shipping management is eliminated.
• Reduced costs: Handling costs are reduced as paper is not needed and shipping is faster and more agile.
• Increased safety: Thanks to the systems eCall that automatically call emergencies if a traffic accident occurs.
• Possibility of combination with other platforms.

Fines provided for in the LOTT

The Serious violations la falta de datos esenciales en el documento de control (Multa: 800 a 1.000€)Son Very serious infringements in the transport of dangerous goods, not carrying a consignment note that covers all the goods transported or inadequately registering said goods (Fine: €4,000 to €6,000) In the case of e click.