Air Waybill (AWB)

What Is an Air Waybill (AWB)?

An air waybill (AWB) is the contract of carriage and shipping document used for air freight, issued by an airline or its agent when cargo is accepted for transport. It serves as a receipt for the goods and evidence of the shipping contract between the shipper and the carrier.

How Does an Air Waybill Work?

When cargo is tendered to an airline, the AWB is issued with details including the shipper and consignee, origin and destination airports, a description of the goods, weight and dimensions, and the applicable freight charges. Unlike an ocean bill of lading, an AWB is not a document of title, it cannot be transferred to change ownership of the goods in transit, and it's typically non-negotiable.

Master AWB vs House AWB

A Master Air Waybill (MAWB) is issued by the airline to a freight forwarder consolidating multiple shipments. A House Air Waybill (HAWB) is issued by the forwarder to each individual shipper within that consolidation, covering just their portion of the cargo.

Why the Air Waybill Matters

The AWB is the key reference document for tracking, customs clearance, and claims in air freight, every party in the shipment, from the airline to customs to the consignee, uses the AWB number to identify and process the shipment. Errors on the AWB (weight, description, consignee details) are a common cause of customs delays.