Home / Logistics Knowledge / International Rail Consignment Note (CIM and SMGS)
Rail freight does not produce a bill of lading in the ocean sense. It produces a rail consignment note, which is not transferable and carries no title to the goods. Two rule sets apply: CIM for the European network, and SMGS for the CIS, Central Asia, and parts of Eastern Europe.
International rail has historically been governed by two conventions. CIM, the Uniform Rules concerning the Contract of International Carriage of Goods by Rail, applies across the European network. SMGS, the Agreement on International Railway Freight Traffic, applies on CIS, Central Asian, and part of the Eastern European routes.
| CIM note | SMGS note | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it applies | The European rail network | CIS, Central Asia, part of Eastern Europe |
| Legal basis | Uniform Rules on the Contract of Carriage by Rail | Agreement on International Railway Freight Traffic |
| Languages | Several European language versions | Predominantly Chinese and Russian |
| Typical use | The European leg of a block train, and intra-European moves | Central Asia, Russia, and the broad-gauge leg of a block train |
| Transition | Documents are exchanged or completed at the gauge break | Handled centrally by the block train operator |
A China-Europe block train normally crosses both systems. The domestic and broad-gauge legs run under SMGS, and the train converts to CIM once it enters the standard-gauge European network. The operator handles the document transition at the border, so a shipper does not file two sets.
The note is evidence of the contract of carriage and a receipt for the goods, but it is not a document of title. It cannot be transferred or endorsed, and the consignee named on it is fixed. At the destination station the consignee collects on the arrival notice, proof of identity, and customs documents.
The original travels with the cargo and is handed over at the destination station. The shipper keeps a copy for settlement and claims. That is why rail does not involve a shipper couriering the original, and why no release instruction is needed.
| Field | Content | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shipper | Exporter's name and address | Must match the customs declaration party |
| Consignee | Importer's full name and address | Not transferable; accuracy is critical |
| Station of departure and destination | Named stations | Must match the booked block train routing |
| Border stations | Exit and entry stations | Allocated by the operator |
| Container and seal numbers | Equipment details | Must match the interchange receipt for end-to-end tracking |
| Description of goods | Description in English or Russian | Include the HS code |
| Packages and weight | Weighed figures | Must match the customs declaration |
| Freight terms | Prepaid or collect | Block trains are usually prepaid |
| Rail consignment note | Ocean B/L | |
|---|---|---|
| Document of title | No, not transferable | An original can be endorsed |
| Where the original goes | Travels with the cargo to the destination station | Held by the shipper and couriered |
| Collection basis | Arrival notice, identity, customs documents | One original exchanged for a delivery order |
| Controlling cargo | Payment terms, or changing the consignee en route | Holding the original, or instructing a telex release |
| Issued by | The rail carrier or block train operator | The carrier or its authorised agent |
Strictly, no. Rail uses a consignment note, which is not transferable and carries no title to the goods. The term rail bill of lading is sometimes used in conversation, but the legal character differs from an ocean bill of lading.
CIM governs carriage on the European rail network, while SMGS governs the CIS, Central Asia, and parts of Eastern Europe. A China-Europe block train crosses both, with the operator handling the document transition at the gauge break and border.
No. It cannot be endorsed, and the consignee named on it is fixed. To change the consignee mid-route the shipper must apply in writing to the departure station before arrival.
It travels with the cargo and is handed to the consignee at the destination station. The shipper keeps a copy for settlement and claims, so rail never involves couriering an original.
No. Because the note is not a document of title, there is no document-based control over release. Control comes from the payment arrangement, or from changing the consignee before arrival.
The common exits are Alashankou, Khorgos, Erenhot, and Manzhouli. Which one applies depends on the routing and destination set by the operator, and it is confirmed at booking.
Record the damage or shortage at collection, ask the railway for a commercial report, and keep the consignment note copy and photographs. File within the deadline set by the international rail rules, and insure high-value cargo separately.
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