GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 16, 2026
Rail consignment note
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.
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Source: https://www.otif.org
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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.
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