Consignment Note (Frachtbrief)

The consignment note — in German, Frachtbrief — is the core document of goods transport: it accompanies the shipment and documents who transports what, from whom, to whom. In Germany it is governed by § 408 of the Commercial Code (HGB) and serves as evidence of the transport contract and of the carrier's takeover of the goods.

What does a consignment note contain?

Typical contents under § 408 HGB:

• Place and date of issue
• Name and address of sender, carrier, and recipient
• Place and date of takeover, and the delivery location
• Customary description of the goods, packaging type, and for dangerous goods the prescribed classification
• Number, marks, and numbers of the packages
• Gross weight or otherwise stated quantity

It is issued in three originals: for the sender, the carrier, and to accompany the goods.

Consignment note vs. delivery note

The delivery note documents the shipment towards the recipient; the consignment note documents the transport order towards the carrier. For domestic courier and direct transports in Germany it is not mandatory — the transport contract is valid without it — but it creates evidentiary certainty in case of damage or loss. A fillable consignment note template as PDF and Word is available in our templates section.

The CMR consignment note

Cross-border road transport in Europe is governed by the CMR convention, and the CMR consignment note is its standard document — practically indispensable for international transports. Its structure resembles the German Frachtbrief, while liability follows the CMR rules — the dedicated glossary entry covers all fields, deadlines, and liability caps.

eCMR and digital records

The electronic consignment note (eCMR) replaces paper with a digital record and is now permitted in Germany as well. In practice, it converges with digital proof of delivery: takeover, transport, and signed delivery are documented in one continuous digital flow instead of on three carbon copies.

Frequently asked questions

Who issues the consignment note? Usually the sender; it is signed by sender and carrier.

Is it mandatory for domestic transport? No — the transport contract stands without it; the document serves as evidence.

What if goods are damaged? The consignment note (with reservations noted at takeover or delivery) is the key evidence for liability. Always record damage before signing.

Sources

• § 408 HGB – consignment note (German Commercial Code)
• CMR Convention (UNECE)