# Rail consignment note

*Last updated: 2026-06-16*

> A rail consignment note is the standard transport document in railway freight operations, functioning simultaneously as a contract of carriage between the shipper, the railway operator, and the consignee.

A rail consignment note is the standard transport document in railway freight operations, functioning simultaneously as a contract of carriage between the shipper, the railway operator, and the consignee. It records the sender and recipient, a description and weight of the goods, freight charges, and conditions of carriage. As a receipt of acceptance, it proves that the railway has taken charge of the shipment; the delivery copy, once receipted, confirms handover to the consignee. In international rail traffic, the CIM Uniform Rules – part of the COTIF convention – define the required form and minimum content. It should not be confused with the CMR consignment note, which applies exclusively to international road haulage.

**Source:** [https://www.otif.org](https://www.otif.org)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Rail consignment note |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 113 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-16 |
| Source | https://www.otif.org |

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