Freight transportation involves an extensive documentation process that ensures safe delivery, legal compliance, and successful customs procedures. Incomplete or incorrectly filled-out documents can lead to delays, additional costs, and even legal issues.
To avoid this, familiarize yourself with the main documents required for freight transportation and learn how LATCARRIER can help in their preparation and proper documentation.
Starting in 2024, Latvia and the entire European Union will allow the use of a digital version of the main transportation document – E-CMR. However, in this article, we will look at what the CMR document is all about!
To avoid this, familiarize yourself with the main documents required for freight transportation and learn how LATCARRIER can help in their preparation and proper documentation.
Starting in 2024, Latvia and the entire European Union will allow the use of a digital version of the main transportation document – E-CMR. However, in this article, we will look at what the CMR document is all about!
Main Documents for Freight Transportation
CMR Waybill (International Waybill)
CMR (Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road) is one of the most important documents in international road transportation.
The CMR Waybill includes:
✅ Information about the shipper and consignee
✅ Carrier details
✅ Description of the cargo (weight, quantity, packaging)
✅ Delivery address and timeframes
✅ Liability terms in case of damage or loss
The CMR Waybill is required for all international road transport within Europe and other countries that have signed the CMR Convention. It acts as a legal document confirming the existence of the transportation contract and helps resolve any potential disputes.
Since 2024, Latvia officially allows the use of the digital version of this document. We will publish a separate article about the application of E-CMR!
Invoice & Packing List
The Invoice and Packing List are important for both domestic and international shipments, as they provide detailed information about the cargo.
Difference between an Invoice and a Packing List:
The Invoice (Commercial Invoice) is a financial document containing information about the cost of goods, the seller, the buyer, and the terms of the deal. It is used for calculating customs duties, taxes, and accounting.
✅ Main elements of an Invoice:
• Seller and buyer details
• Description of goods (name, quantity, price)
• Total order value
• Payment and delivery terms
• Currency used
• Document number and date
The Packing List (PPR) is a logistical document listing all the items being shipped, without indicating their value. It is used for identifying the contents of the cargo, checking the completeness, and handling customs clearance.
✅ Main elements of the Packing List:
• Description of each item (model, part number, weight, size, quantity)
• Type and quantity of packaging (boxes, pallets, etc.)
• Gross and net weight
• Dimensions of the cargo
• Document number and date
Key Difference:
• Invoice confirms the transaction and the price of the goods (important for accounting and customs).
• Packing List shows what exactly is contained in the shipment (important for logistics and customs control).
Both documents are often used together in international shipments, especially during customs clearance.
The Invoice is required for customs clearance and VAT calculation. A correctly filled-out Invoice helps avoid misunderstandings and delays at borders or during checks on the way!
Export and Import Documents (EX1, IM4, T1)
When international transportation is required beyond the EU, additional documents must be prepared, depending on the route and the regulations of the countries involved in the transport.
Export Declaration (EX1) – required for goods exported outside the EU to allow customs authorities to track the movement of goods.
Import Declaration (IM4) – required when importing goods from third countries for customs duty and tax calculation.
Transit Document (T1) – necessary if goods are transported through multiple countries without paying customs duties until the final destination.
Important!
• Incorrect or inaccurate information in customs documents can lead to long delays, fines, and additional expenses.
• Documents must be prepared in compliance with the laws of the specific countries and customs requirements.
CMR (Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road) is one of the most important documents in international road transportation.
The CMR Waybill includes:
✅ Information about the shipper and consignee
✅ Carrier details
✅ Description of the cargo (weight, quantity, packaging)
✅ Delivery address and timeframes
✅ Liability terms in case of damage or loss
The CMR Waybill is required for all international road transport within Europe and other countries that have signed the CMR Convention. It acts as a legal document confirming the existence of the transportation contract and helps resolve any potential disputes.
Since 2024, Latvia officially allows the use of the digital version of this document. We will publish a separate article about the application of E-CMR!
Invoice & Packing List
The Invoice and Packing List are important for both domestic and international shipments, as they provide detailed information about the cargo.
Difference between an Invoice and a Packing List:
The Invoice (Commercial Invoice) is a financial document containing information about the cost of goods, the seller, the buyer, and the terms of the deal. It is used for calculating customs duties, taxes, and accounting.
✅ Main elements of an Invoice:
• Seller and buyer details
• Description of goods (name, quantity, price)
• Total order value
• Payment and delivery terms
• Currency used
• Document number and date
The Packing List (PPR) is a logistical document listing all the items being shipped, without indicating their value. It is used for identifying the contents of the cargo, checking the completeness, and handling customs clearance.
✅ Main elements of the Packing List:
• Description of each item (model, part number, weight, size, quantity)
• Type and quantity of packaging (boxes, pallets, etc.)
• Gross and net weight
• Dimensions of the cargo
• Document number and date
Key Difference:
• Invoice confirms the transaction and the price of the goods (important for accounting and customs).
• Packing List shows what exactly is contained in the shipment (important for logistics and customs control).
Both documents are often used together in international shipments, especially during customs clearance.
The Invoice is required for customs clearance and VAT calculation. A correctly filled-out Invoice helps avoid misunderstandings and delays at borders or during checks on the way!
Export and Import Documents (EX1, IM4, T1)
When international transportation is required beyond the EU, additional documents must be prepared, depending on the route and the regulations of the countries involved in the transport.
Export Declaration (EX1) – required for goods exported outside the EU to allow customs authorities to track the movement of goods.
Import Declaration (IM4) – required when importing goods from third countries for customs duty and tax calculation.
Transit Document (T1) – necessary if goods are transported through multiple countries without paying customs duties until the final destination.
Important!
• Incorrect or inaccurate information in customs documents can lead to long delays, fines, and additional expenses.
• Documents must be prepared in compliance with the laws of the specific countries and customs requirements.
How to Avoid Errors in Documentation and Delays?
🔹 Double-check the information – before submitting documents, ensure all data (shipper, consignee, product description, weight, cost) is correct.
🔹 Study customs requirements – different countries have different rules for export-import procedures, so it's best to clarify in advance which documents will be needed.
🔹 Seek professional support – some logistics companies, like LATCARRIER, offer document preparation and verification services to avoid bureaucratic challenges.
🔹 Plan time – customs procedures can take time, so if special documents are required, it's better to prepare them in advance.
🔹 Study customs requirements – different countries have different rules for export-import procedures, so it's best to clarify in advance which documents will be needed.
🔹 Seek professional support – some logistics companies, like LATCARRIER, offer document preparation and verification services to avoid bureaucratic challenges.
🔹 Plan time – customs procedures can take time, so if special documents are required, it's better to prepare them in advance.
Our Help in Document Preparation
✅ Consultation on document preparation – we help properly prepare CMR, invoices, export and import documents to avoid errors.
✅ Assistance with customs formalities – we ensure compliance with customs requirements and help with the necessary declarations.
✅ Consultation on international transportation – our experts offer advice on proper document preparation and tax application.
✅ Safe and fast delivery – properly prepared documents ensure smooth logistics and minimize the risk of delays.
As carriers, we are interested in ensuring that documents are properly prepared. However, we are not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided to us and, accordingly, for the guaranteed correctness of the documents. We provide consultations and assistance, but the responsibility for the content of the information and the documents provided to us lies with you – the seller, the buyer, or the person on whose behalf we provide the service.
Why Choose Professionals from LATCARRIER?
Correct documentation is a key element in any freight transportation. From the CMR Waybill to customs declarations – each document plays an important role in ensuring the quick and legal crossing of borders by goods.
If you want to be sure that all documents are correctly prepared and your cargo will not be delayed due to inaccuracies, choose LATCARRIER – a logistics partner who takes care of every detail!
✅ Assistance with customs formalities – we ensure compliance with customs requirements and help with the necessary declarations.
✅ Consultation on international transportation – our experts offer advice on proper document preparation and tax application.
✅ Safe and fast delivery – properly prepared documents ensure smooth logistics and minimize the risk of delays.
As carriers, we are interested in ensuring that documents are properly prepared. However, we are not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided to us and, accordingly, for the guaranteed correctness of the documents. We provide consultations and assistance, but the responsibility for the content of the information and the documents provided to us lies with you – the seller, the buyer, or the person on whose behalf we provide the service.
Why Choose Professionals from LATCARRIER?
Correct documentation is a key element in any freight transportation. From the CMR Waybill to customs declarations – each document plays an important role in ensuring the quick and legal crossing of borders by goods.
If you want to be sure that all documents are correctly prepared and your cargo will not be delayed due to inaccuracies, choose LATCARRIER – a logistics partner who takes care of every detail!
