Air Waybill (AWB) (Customs Glossary)
| This article is part of the Customs Glossary Guide |
In the context of North American trade, an Air Waybill (AWB) is a document used in air freight transportation to provide essential information about a shipment, including the origin, destination, shipper, consignee, handling instructions, and description of the goods. An AWB serves as both a contract of carriage between the shipper and the air carrier and a receipt of goods for air cargo shipments.
Unlike an ocean Bill of Lading, an Air Waybill is generally non-negotiable. It does not transfer title to the goods; it documents the shipment and provides instructions for transportation and delivery.
Core Functions
An Air Waybill is used for international and domestic air cargo transportation. It is issued by the airline or freight forwarder responsible for transporting the goods.
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Contract of Carriage | Outlines the terms and conditions under which the air carrier transports the goods. |
| Receipt of Goods | Confirms that the carrier or freight forwarder has accepted the cargo for transportation. |
| Shipment Instructions | Provides routing, origin, destination, handling, and delivery instructions. |
| Customs and Compliance Document | Provides shipment information that may be used for customs clearance and electronic cargo reporting. |
Air Waybill Number
An AWB number is commonly an 11 digit tracking number. The first three digits identify the airline prefix, followed by the shipment serial number. This number is used by carriers, forwarders, and shippers to track the shipment.
Master and House Air Waybills
In consolidated air freight, a shipment may involve both a Master Air Waybill and a House Air Waybill.
| Feature | Master Air Waybill (MAWB) | House Air Waybill (HAWB) |
|---|---|---|
| Issued By | Airline or air carrier. | Freight forwarder or consolidator. |
| Issued To | Freight forwarder or consolidator. | Actual shipper or exporter. |
| Purpose | Covers the consolidated air shipment handled by the airline. | Covers one customer's shipment within the consolidation. |
Electronic Air Waybill
The Electronic Air Waybill (e-AWB) is the electronic version of the air waybill process. It replaces the need for a paper AWB to travel with the freight when the parties and route support electronic data exchange.
Common Usage Scenarios
| Scenario | Use of Air Waybill |
|---|---|
| International Air Freight | Documents goods being shipped by air between countries and provides the contract and receipt for the air carrier. |
| Time-Sensitive Shipments | Provides routing and handling instructions for shipments that need expedited movement. |
| Perishable Goods | Provides handling instructions, such as temperature-control requirements, for cargo that must be protected during transit. |
| Multimodal Transport | Documents the air cargo portion of a shipment that may also involve truck, rail, or ocean movement. |
| Customs Clearance | Provides shipment details that customs authorities and brokers may use to clear goods and match electronic cargo data. |