The consignment note documents the agreement between sender, carrier and recipient. The paper version is on its way out — e-CMR is the digital alternative that is legally equivalent, saves time and eliminates lost documents.
What is e-CMR and a digital consignment note?
CMR is the international freight convention governing road transport of goods. A CMR consignment note documents who is sending, who is transporting, who is receiving — and under what conditions.
e-CMR is the electronic version. It is created, signed and shared digitally — typically via an app. All parties have access in real time, and all signatures are done on the phone.
e-CMR is legally valid and equivalent to paper CMR in Denmark and over 25 European countries that have ratified the 2008 protocol.
Is e-CMR mandatory?
Not yet — paper CMR is still valid. But pressure is coming from two directions:
- Customers are making demands. Many larger freight forwarders and companies already require e-CMR from their transport providers. This is not legislation — it is business requirements driven by digital traceability.
- International routes. On many routes — particularly towards France, Benelux and Scandinavia — e-CMR is in practice already the standard for professional carriers.
The expectation is that e-CMR will become the de facto standard on most international routes in Europe within a few years. The earlier you start, the easier the transition.
What does e-CMR give you?
- No lost documents. The physical consignment note can disappear in the cabin or become illegible. The digital one is always in the system.
- All parties see the same thing. Sender and recipient can follow status in real time and automatically receive notification upon pickup and delivery.
- Automatic archiving. All e-CMR documents are saved and can be retrieved years later — important for insurance cases and claims.
- Faster claims handling. Timestamps, GPS locations and digital signatures precisely document when and where damage occurred.
- Invoicing immediately. The driver signs off digitally — and the invoice can be generated immediately. No waiting for paper waybills.
How e-CMR works in DORA
- The order is created: The dispatcher creates the transport in DORA — sender, recipient, goods type, time windows. This automatically forms the basis for the e-CMR document.
- The driver receives the task: Via the driver app — with e-CMR available directly on the phone.
- Pickup is confirmed: The sender confirms digitally. Time and location are recorded automatically.
- Delivery is confirmed: The recipient signs off digitally. Damage or reservations can be noted with photos as documentation.
- Automatic archiving: The document is saved in DORA's archive and can be shared with all parties with one click.
The app works offline and synchronises when there is a connection again — important on routes with poor coverage.
e-CMR and your invoicing
With a paper waybill, the workflow is typically: driver delivers the slip, the office enters the data, the invoice is sent — 2-5 days after delivery.
With e-CMR in DORA, the documentation is completed when the driver signs off. The invoice can be generated automatically and sent to the customer within minutes. This means faster payment and eliminates errors from manual entry.
Frequently asked questions about e-CMR
Is e-CMR legally valid in all EU countries?
e-CMR is valid in all countries that have ratified the additional protocol from 2008. This includes Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and over 25 other European countries. Always check the status for the specific countries you operate in — not all EU countries have ratified yet.
What if the recipient doesn't have an e-CMR system?
They don't need one. In DORA, the recipient can sign off via a link sent to email or phone — without having an account. Alternatively, the driver can register the signature directly in the app, and the document is automatically sent to the recipient's email.
Does e-CMR require special equipment?
No. DORA's e-CMR works on a standard smartphone — iOS or Android. No special hardware, no scanner. The driver uses the phone they already have.
