Calculator and rules
Claim and reservation deadlines under CMR, CIM and SMGS: calculator
Author: Outturn · Published: · Last reviewed:
CMR: report hidden loss or damage to the carrier in writing within 7 days of delivery, Sundays and public holidays excepted, and delay within 21 days; CIM: within 7 days of acceptance, and 60 days for delay; SMGS: ask for a commercial act within 3 days, bring claims and actions within 9 months (2 months for delay). In every case the day of delivery itself is not counted. The calculator below accounts for Lithuanian public holidays; sources are at the bottom of the page.
All deadlines in one table
| Convention | Action | Deadline | Runs from | Article |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMR (road) | Reservation for apparent loss or damage | At delivery | Delivery | Art. 30(1) |
| CMR | Reservation for loss or damage that is not apparent | 7 days excluding Sundays and public holidays | Delivery (day not counted) | Art. 30(1), (4) |
| CMR | Written reservation for delay | 21 days | Goods placed at the consignee's disposal | Art. 30(3), (4) |
| CMR | Limitation of actions | 1 year (3 years for wilful misconduct) | Delivery (partial loss, damage, delay) | Art. 32(1) |
| CIM (rail) | Ask for ascertainment of loss that is not apparent | 7 days | Acceptance of the goods | Art. 47 §2 |
| CIM | Assert rights for delay | 60 days | Delivery | Art. 47 §2 |
| CIM | Limitation of actions | 1 year | Delivery (partial loss, damage, delay) | Art. 48 |
| SMGS (1520 mm) | Ask for a commercial act (formal report) | 3 days | Delivery of the goods | Art. 29 |
| SMGS | Claims and actions for exceeding the delivery period | 2 months | Delivery of the goods | Art. 47, 48 |
| SMGS | Claims and actions for shortage or damage | 9 months | Delivery of the goods | Art. 47, 48 |
| SMGS | Carrier's answer to a claim | 180 days | Receipt of the claim | Art. 46 |
Calculator
- Reservation for loss or damage that is not apparent (CMR Art. 30(1))
- Last day: Days not counted (Sundays and Lithuanian public holidays): 2026-12-24, 2026-12-25, 2026-12-26, 2026-12-27, 2027-01-01, 2027-01-03
- Written reservation for delay (CMR Art. 30(3))
- Last day:
- Limitation of actions: partial loss, damage, delay (CMR Art. 32(1)(a))
- Last day:
Runs in your browser; nothing is sent or stored. The result is indicative; your contract may say otherwise.
How the days are counted
- The day of delivery is not counted (CMR Art. 30(4), 32(1); SMGS Art. 48 §2).
- The CMR 7 days exclude Sundays and public holidays. The calculator skips Lithuanian public holidays under Article 123 of the Labour Code; if the goods were delivered in another country, check its holidays.
- Other periods are calendar days, months or years.
- Months and years end on the same day of the month; if that day does not exist, on the last day of the month.
Worked examples
Example 1. CMR before Christmas
Goods delivered on 2026-12-23. Days not counted: 24, 25 and 26 December (holidays), 27 December (Sunday), 1 January (holiday) and 3 January (Sunday). The seventh counted day is 2027-01-05. The reservation for delay is due by 2027-01-13, and the limitation period runs until 2027-12-23.
Example 2. SMGS
Goods delivered on 2026-10-07. Ask for a commercial act by 2026-10-10; claim or action for delay by 2026-12-07, for shortage or damage by 2027-07-07.
Example 3. CIM
Goods accepted on 2026-10-07. Ask for ascertainment of hidden loss by 2026-10-14, assert rights for delay by 2026-12-06, limitation until 2027-10-07.
Checklist when the goods arrive
- Write down the date and time of delivery.
- Check the goods at delivery; reserve apparent loss or damage at once.
- Weigh and compare with the consignment-note mass; see the weight shortage allowances.
- SMGS: ask for a commercial act within 3 days.
- CMR: send a written reservation for hidden loss within 7 days excluding Sundays and holidays.
- Collect the evidence: weighing records, photos, consignment note, seal numbers.
- File the claim in writing with the amount and its justification.
- Put the end of the limitation period in your calendar.
Limits
- The result is indicative. Your contract, the applicable law or case law can change a deadline.
- The calculator does not include holidays proclaimed ad hoc by the Seimas or other countries' holidays.
- CMR and CIM are quoted from English copies; SMGS from the OSJD unofficial English text.
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Frequently asked questions
- How long do I have to send a reservation for hidden loss under CMR?
- Seven days from delivery, Sundays and public holidays excepted (CMR Article 30(1)). The day of delivery is not included (Article 30(4)). Apparent loss or damage must be reserved no later than at delivery.
- What is the deadline for delay under CMR?
- No compensation is payable for delay unless a written reservation is sent to the carrier within 21 days from the time the goods were placed at the consignee's disposal (CMR Article 30(3)).
- Within how many days must I ask for a commercial act under SMGS?
- The consignee must ask the delivering carrier immediately after establishing the shortage or damage and within three days of delivery at the latest (SMGS Article 29).
- What is the limitation period under SMGS?
- Claims and actions must be brought within two months for exceeding the delivery period and within nine months on other grounds (SMGS Article 48). For shortage, damage and delay the period runs from the day the goods were delivered to the consignee (Article 47 §2). The carrier considers a claim within 180 days (Article 46).
- What are the deadlines under CIM?
- For loss that is not apparent, ask for ascertainment no later than seven days after accepting the goods; for delay, assert your rights within sixty days (CIM Article 47 §2). The limitation period is one year (Article 48).
- Does the calculator replace a lawyer?
- No. It shows the last days under the convention texts and Lithuanian public holidays. Your contract, the applicable law or another country's holidays can change a deadline; in important cases ask a lawyer.
Sources
- Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR), Articles 30 and 32 (UNIDROIT copy): https://www.unidroit.org/english/conventions/1956cmr/cmr_e.pdf (accessed 2026-10-07)
- Uniform Rules concerning the Contract of International Carriage of Goods by Rail (CIM, COTIF Appendix B), Articles 31, 47, 48 (copy hosted by a third party): https://www.tgnfritom.com/media/3sehlfzv/enclosure-v-cim-conditions-uk.pdf (accessed 2026-10-07)
- OSJD, SMGS unofficial English text (amendments to 2019-07-01), Articles 29, 46, 47, 48: https://en.osjd.org/api/media/resources/710240 (accessed 2026-10-07)
- Lithuanian Labour Code, Article 123 'Public holidays': https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/f6d686707e7011e6b969d7ae07280e89/asr (accessed 2026-10-07)