CMR Insurance
Mandatory insurance for international road transport: liability limits, coverage scope, exclusions and difference from cargo transport insurance.
What is CMR – and does it affect me?
CMR are international rules that determine: if a road transport company carries your goods abroad and something gets lost or damaged – who pays, and how much? These rules apply automatically in over 55 countries, without you needing to sign anything.
I buy a sofa from Italy and hire a freight company. The sofa arrives scratched.
→ The driver is liable – but only approx. €10/kg. For more protection you need your own insurance.
I order goods from Poland. The freight forwarder sends me a CMR consignment note. What do I need to do?
→ Check the consignment note carefully and keep it – it is your most important document for damage claims.
I operate truck transport to EU countries. Do I absolutely need CMR insurance?
→ Yes, legally mandatory in Germany for commercial goods transport across borders.
What is CMR?
CMR stands for "Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road" – the UN convention on the contract for the international carriage of goods by road (Geneva, 1956). It applies to all paid road transports between at least two contracting states (58 countries, including all EU states, Switzerland, Turkey, Morocco).
Who needs CMR insurance?
In Germany, liability insurance (CMR insurance) is mandatory for commercial goods transport with heavy commercial vehicles under §7a of the Freight Transport Act (GüKG). Similar regulations apply in many other EU countries.
Carrier / Transport company
Mandatory for commercial international transport
Freight forwarder acting as carrier
When the freight forwarder uses own vehicles
Own-account transport (own goods)
Companies transporting their own goods internationally
Liability limits under the CMR Convention
The transport company is automatically liable under CMR for loss, damage and delay – regardless of fault (technical term: custodian liability). However, liability is legally limited:
| Damage type | Liability limit SDR = Internat. unit of account, 1 SDR ≈ €1.10–1.40 (variable, source: IMF) |
|---|---|
| Loss / Damage | 8,33 SZR/kg |
| Delay in delivery | Max. freight charges |
| Total loss with value declaration | Declared value |
| In case of intent / gross negligence | Unlimited (Art. 29 CMR) |
What is an SDR – and how much is that in my currency?
SDR stands for "Special Drawing Right" – an artificial currency unit of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). No country uses SDRs as everyday currency, but many international laws (like CMR) set liability limits in SDRs so they can be fairly applied in all countries. The rate fluctuates daily.
8.33 SDR/kg – what does that mean in practice? (approximate, as of 2025/26)
Practical example: Laptop 2 kg, value €1,200 → reimbursement without additional insurance: 2 kg × €9.70/kg = €19.40. With cargo insurance: full €1,200.
* Rates are approximate values (ca. 2025/26) and fluctuate daily. For current rates: sdw.ecb.europa.eu. All information without warranty.
Conclusion: The statutory CMR liability is almost never sufficient for high-value goods. Your own cargo transport insurance covers the full cargo value – regardless of weight and fault.
CMR insurance vs. cargo transport insurance
| Aspect | CMR Insurance | Cargo Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Taken out by | Carrier (mandatory) | Sender/Recipient (voluntary) |
| Coverage | Carrier's liability (limited) | Full cargo value (regardless of fault) |
| Maximum reimbursement | 8,33 SZR/kg ≈ 10 €/kg | Full cargo value + 10% surcharge recommended |
| Scope | Road transport only (CMR states) | All transport modes (road, sea, air) |
| Cost | Borne by the carrier | Borne by the shipper/sender |
Liability exclusions (CMR Art. 17)
Complete exemption from liability
- Force majeure – events nobody can prevent (e.g. natural disaster, war, pandemic)
- Fault of the sender or consignee
- Instructions from the authorized person
Special risks (Art. 17 para. 4)
- Packaging defects by the sender
- Loading/unloading by sender/consignee
- Natural properties of goods (shrinkage, rust)
- Insufficient marking by sender
Practical tip: Use value declaration
For high-value goods, the sender can declare a value in the consignment note (Art. 24 CMR). The carrier may charge a surcharge for this. Alternatively, the sender's own cargo transport insurance provides full coverage – regardless of the carrier's fault and liability limits.