⚬ Legal Function: While a contract of carriage is legally formed by mutual agreement, the CMR consignment note serves as formal, official evidence (prima facie) of the contract's conditions, the receipt of the goods by the carrier, and the condition of the cargo.

⚬ Mandatory Particulars: Under Article 6, the note must include the date and place of its making, the name and address of the sender, carrier, and consignee, the place and date of taking over the goods, description of packaging and nature of the goods, their gross weight, and instructions for customs/customs formalities.

⚬ Triplicate System: The note is traditionally issued in three original signed copies:

• The first copy goes to the sender.
• The second copy accompanies the goods to the consignee.
• The third copy is retained by the carrier.