The Inland Waterway Consignment Note (CMNI)
The primary transport document for international inland waterway freight is the consignment note issued under the Budapest Convention on the Contract for the Carriage of Goods by Inland Waterways (CMNI), which entered into force in 2005. Poland ratified the CMNI and applies its provisions to international movements on navigable waterways connecting to the broader European network.
A CMNI consignment note serves as evidence of the contract of carriage and of receipt of the goods by the carrier. It typically contains:
- Names and addresses of shipper (sender), carrier, and consignee
- Port of loading and intended port of discharge
- Vessel name, type, and registration number
- Description of goods, including weight, volume, or number of packages
- Marking and numbering of packages
- Freight amount or indication that it is payable by consignee
- Any declared value or special interest in delivery
For domestic transport within Poland, operators commonly use a simplified domestic consignment note (list przewozowy) issued under the Polish Act on Inland Navigation. While the format is less standardized than the CMNI note, it serves equivalent functions for national law purposes.
CMNI vs. CMR for River Segments
When cargo moves on a combined road–river route (for example, from a riverside warehouse by barge to a seaport, then by road to a consignee), the applicable convention depends on the dominant leg or on contractual stipulations. Operators should specify which document governs each segment to avoid ambiguity in claims handling.
Customs Procedures under the Union Customs Code (UCC)
For cargo crossing EU external borders — for example, goods arriving by barge from Ukraine via the Bug River or from Belarus — Polish customs procedures apply the Union Customs Code (UCC, Regulation EU 952/2013) as implemented in Poland through the Polish Customs Administration (Krajowa Administracja Skarbowa, KAS).
Electronic Customs Declaration
All customs declarations in Poland are submitted electronically through the OSOZ2 system for import procedures and AES (Automated Export System) for exports, connected to the EU-wide customs data networks. Paper customs declarations were phased out in alignment with UCC transition arrangements. Carriers or their customs agents must submit entry summary declarations (ENS) in the Import Control System (ICS) for goods entering the EU.
Transit Procedures
Goods in transit through Polish territory — for example, barge cargo moving from Germany through the Oder to an inland Polish destination — may use the Common Transit Convention (CTC) procedure, which allows goods to move under customs supervision without being subject to import duties at each border crossing. The NCTS (New Computerised Transit System) handles the electronic filing.
| Document / Procedure | Applicable Situation | System / Convention |
|---|---|---|
| CMNI Consignment Note | International river freight | CMNI 2001 |
| Import Declaration (SAD) | Goods entering EU via waterway | UCC / OSOZ2 |
| Transit Declaration (T1/T2) | Goods in customs transit | CTC / NCTS |
| Entry Summary Declaration | Non-EU goods entering EU | UCC / ICS2 |
| Export Declaration | Goods leaving EU by waterway | UCC / AES |
Dangerous Goods Documentation (ADN)
Carriage of dangerous goods on inland waterways in Poland and the EU is regulated by the European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN), administered by UNECE. The ADN establishes classification, packaging, labelling, and documentation requirements for dangerous substances transported by barge.
Mandatory documentation for ADN shipments includes:
- A transport document containing the UN number, proper shipping name, hazard class, packing group, and total quantity
- A certificate of approval for the vessel (for tank barges carrying certain substances)
- Proof that the crew holds the required ADN certificates
- Emergency information in the official language of each country traversed, or in English, French, or German
Inland waterway dangerous goods certificates for vessel commanders are issued by the Polish Inland Navigation Office (Urząd Żeglugi Śródlądowej) upon passing the required examination and practical assessment.
River Information Services (RIS) Reporting
Poland operates a River Information Services (RIS) system on sections of the Oder, Vistula, and Warta covered by EU Directive 2005/44/EC on harmonized RIS. RIS provides electronic vessel tracking, voyage reporting, and navigational notices. On RIS-covered sections, operators must submit electronic voyage reports (ERI — Electronic Reporting International standard) containing vessel particulars, cargo description, and intended route before departure. Vessel positions are tracked through Inland AIS transponders.
ERI — Electronic Reporting
The ERI standard (EN 14210) defines the data elements and communication protocols for electronic voyage reports on European inland waterways. In Poland, reports are submitted to the national RIS centre. For operators with vessels crossing multiple countries, the same electronic report may be forwarded to other national RIS centres, reducing duplicative filings.
Vessel Documents and Crew Certification
Beyond freight documentation, operators must ensure vessel documents are in order. These include the Community Inland Navigation Certificate (CINC) or equivalent national certificate confirming the vessel meets technical standards under Directive 2016/1629/EU (implemented in Polish law as of the 2019 Act on Inland Navigation amendments). Vessel masters on international routes must hold a European Boatmaster Certificate, a qualification introduced under Directive 2017/2397/EU and replacing the previously separate national patents for vessels operating across borders within the EU.