What a delivery note contains
A complete delivery note contains: consignor and consignee with addresses, the delivery date and order number, item description, quantity and unit, weight and dimensions (optional), the delivery note number and a signature field for the consignee. In B2B supply chains it often also carries the consignee's purchase order number for automatic invoice matching.
Delivery note vs consignment note
The delivery note documents the contents of the goods as between buyer and seller. The consignment note (CMR) documents the transport order between consignor and carrier. Where there is damage: a reservation on the consignment note protects the consignee against the forwarder; a reservation on the delivery note protects them against the supplier. Both documents should be annotated where there are defects.
The legal significance of the receipt
By signing the delivery note without reservation, the consignee confirms that the delivery was in order. Concealed damage can be reported within 7 days (under the HGB) or within the CMR time limits; damage visible from the outside must be noted on the delivery note immediately. Photographs of the damage at the time of acceptance are strongly recommended.
