The shipping process is responsible for generating the eCMR document. When the information has been received, it can be verified, where needed information be added and finally be signed before handing the goods and the document over to the Driver.

This article describes the individual steps to be taken and how information to the eCMR can be added. The information in this article as well on the screen refers to the boxes on the eCMR. IRU Model 2007 is being used as a reference, this model can be viewed at the bottom of this article.

An eCMR can be created from an empty basis, where every piece of information can be entered manually. Actually acting as an electronic type writer. Although this might work in specific situations, in most cases the eCMR will be generated from existing information.

There are two possible options, depending on the situation in your company.

In case your organisation is using de module Transport Assignment on the Transporeon Platform, the eCMR is being generated based on the information from the Transport Order.

In the configuration, a filter can be set to include or exclude specific lanes, carriers, countries, etc, to control for which transports an eCMR needs to be generated.

An eCMR is being created automatically when the transport is assigned to a Carrier and when the Carrier has accepted the transport. Any following update of the transport order will automatically update the eCMR.

On a transport, there can be multiple deliveries. In such a case there can be multiple eCMR's being generated for the same transport. Deliveries will be grouped to one eCMR based on:

Updates from the transport order are applied until the Shipper has signed the eCMR.

In case your organisation will process the eCMR's based on an integration, then the document is created the moment the information is processed after submission of your order from your ERP/WMS/TMS. Updates will be processed when they are being submitted, until the eCMR is signed by the Shipper.

The exact supported use cases are depending how your organisation has setup the integration.

As mentioned above, the eCMR application can be used as a smart electronic type writer. Until the eCMR is signed, any information can be updated and/or added to the document, through the manual EDIT buttons.

For reference to the boxes on the CMR document, the box numbers are mentioned in the screen, referring to the IRU CMR Model 2007, this model can be viewed at the bottom of this article.

The layout of the screen does not follow the layout of the paper document. The information is grouped more logically.

When a box is not editable, then likely the eCMR has been signed.

This box is providing generic information on the eCMR. The transport reference is the reference under which the transport is known and to which the eCMR relates to.

Furthermore the place and date of issue of the eCMR is shown.

The EDIT button provides the ability to update the place of issue. The transport reference and date of issue are not editable.

The address of the consignor can be edited by pressing the EDIT button. The account number of the consignor is not editable and refers to the number under which the consignor is known within the Transporeon Platform. In case the consignor is not known on the platform it is left empty.

The address of the consignee can be edited by pressing the EDIT button. The account number of the consignee is not editable and refers to the number under which the consignee is known within the Transporeon Platform. In case the consignee is not known on the platform it is left empty.

The 'body' of the eCMR is containing the information on the goods lines.

Double clicking on the line will open up the EDIT window. The ADD ITEM button, on the top right corner, provides the ability to add lines, starting from an empty line.

In case a line needs to be deleted, the BIN at the right of the line can be pressed.

The Goods Handover Information box describes the particulars that are needed to hand over the goods from the Shipper to the Driver.

After signature the Departure Date will contain the date and time of the signature by the Driver.

In case the shipment requires registration of seals, these can be added in this box at time of loading. There is no limit in the number of seals. In many cases one or two seals is enough for a truck and a trailer. But in case multiple compartments are used, additional seals can be added.

The seals entered at time of loading will be used at time of unloading to verify the correctness of the seals. Any discrepancy will be reported.

Any information that refers to specifics of the shipment can be added here.

Specifically instructions issued but the Shipper towards the Carrier and/or the Recipient.

In case there needs to be reference to documents that accompany the shipment and need to handed over to the Recipient, a reference can be made to the documents. This is mainly needed to communicate with the Driver and Recipient to verify the documents are available during the handover.

The main carrier is the Carrier that is executing the transport. This can be a sub-contractor as well. An important element here is the Vehicle License Plate as this needs to be registered on the document and needs to be the actual license plate of the truck that is transporting the goods.

In the Carrier Agreement section, information is listed that the Carrier needs to be able to execute the transport.

Any text that can be used to provide any instructions from the Shipper to the Carrier/Driver to execute the transport can be listed here.

The parties may add any indication of use to other parties or to the competent authorities. This could be the load capacity, the net weight of the goods, the number of the TIR Carnet or any other Customs document used during the transport etc.

Indications concerning the amount of the different payments relating to the transport contract established as well as the indication of the party who is bound to carry out the payment. If the carrier is not capable or if he judges it irrelevant to indicate the exact amount of the payments due, he is strongly advised to at least indicate the party responsible for the payment in order to avoid future discussions in this respect.

In practice this box is rarely used as agreements on transport pricing are handled differently nowadays.

This box is reserved for the use of the carrier (for example: Customs offices used, distances covered, etc., i.e. records that do not entail contractual obligations for the concerned carrier).

The place where the goods are handed over will be listed in this box. Including the time windows needed for the delivery.

After signature the Departure Date will contain the date and time of the signature by the Recipient.

This box is not editable. It shows the seal numbers that have been entered at time of unloading, including their verification, whether there was a match or no-match.

In case comments were made or pictures were taken, these will be listed here as well.

The box will only contain information after unloading of the goods and the signature of the Recipient.

This box is of importance use for the signature process of the Shipper. See following paragraph for the signing process.

The Driver findings and signature will be empty at time of loading. When the Driver has signed, the information will be presented in this box.

Any comments and/or images will be added and can be reviewed.

The Recipient findings and signature will be empty at time of loading. When the Recipient has signed, the information will be presented in this box.

Any comments and/or images will be added and can be reviewed.

Signing the eCMR as a Shipper needs to happen in this box. In case any comment need to be made that needs registration on the eCMR and used to communicate to the Driver and Recipient, it can be added by the ADD FINDINGS button. A free text can be entered for a comment on the state or quality of the goods.

Clicking on the SIGN ECMR button will initiate the Shipper signature process.

(There is a possibility of having an 'auto-sign' function, where the signature is being placed automatically by a designated signatory upon receipt of a PGI (Post Goods Issue) update from the ERP or WMS)

The first screen presented will be a confirmation for the user that the signing process will be initiated.

Depending on the configuration, a password is requested to enter.

After the signature, the signature and the findings will be visible in the box for reference.

The name of the user, company name and date/time of signature is registered and cannot be changed anymore.

IRU CMR Model 2007 layout