Air Waybill (AWB)
Air Waybill (AWB) is a crucial document in the logistics industry that serves as a contract of carriage between the shipper and the carrier (airline).
An Air Waybill comprises several critical components that must be accurately filled out to ensure smooth transit. Furthermore, the shipper must provide complete information, including their name, address, and contact details, along with the consignee’s details at the destination. The AWB must also include a detailed description of the goods being transported, such as the number of packages, weight, dimensions, and any special handling requirements, such as temperature sensitivity or fragile contents.
Different Types of Air Waybill:
Master Air Waybill (MAWB)
The Master Airway Bill (MAWB) is the main air waybill issued by the airline or its agent. It encompasses the entire shipment, including all the individual shipments that have been consolidated together.
House Air Waybill (HAWB)
The House Airway Bill (HAWB) is a specific type of airway bill used in the shipping and logistics industry. It is issued by a freight forwarder or a non-carrier entity involved in the transportation of goods. The HAWB serves as a secondary air waybill that covers a single individual shipment within a larger consolidated shipment.
Neutral Air Waybill
An air waybill that does not have the logo of any specific airline. It is often used by freight forwarders who need to create an air waybill for a shipment that is being carried by multiple airlines.
An Electronic Air Waybill (e-AWB)
A digital version of the traditional air waybill used in the transportation and logistics industry. It serves as an electronic contract of carriage between the shipper and the carrier and contains essential information about the shipment. The e-AWB replaces the paper-based air waybill, offering a more efficient and streamlined approach to airfreight documentation.