Air Waybill (AWB)

What is an AWB?

An air waybill (AWB), also called an air consignment note, is the document that accompanies goods transported by air. It functions as:
* A receipt issued by the carrier confirming acceptance of the goods.
* A contract of carriage between the shipper and the carrier.
The AWB is a non-negotiable instrument and becomes enforceable when signed by both the shipper (or their agent) and the carrier (or their agent).

Key points

• AWBs allow tracking and document the shipment details and conditions.
• They are non-negotiable—unlike ocean bills of lading, they do not transfer title to the goods.
• The standard form is set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
• Electronic AWBs (e-AWBs) have been widely adopted and are the default on enabled trade lanes since 2019.

What information an AWB contains

Typical required fields include:
* Shipper name and address
* Consignee (recipient) name and address
* Origin and destination airport codes (three-letter IATA codes)
* Declared value for customs
* Number of pieces and gross weight
* Description of the goods and any special handling instructions (e.g., perishable)
* Conditions of carriage (liability limits, claims procedures, applicable charges)
* AWB number (standard format: 11 digits)

Historically an AWB came in multiple colored copies (often eight), but paper is increasingly replaced by e-AWB formats.

AWB vs. Bill of Lading

• AWB: non-negotiable; strictly a contract for transportation and receipt by the airline; does not serve as a document of title.
• Bill of Lading (ocean or multimodal): can be negotiable and may represent title to goods in addition to acting as a receipt and carriage contract.

Types of AWB

• Airline-specific AWB: preprinted with the carrier’s name, head office address, logo, and AWB number series.
• Neutral AWB: same layout as airline forms but not prepopulated for a specific carrier; commonly used by freight forwarders.

Electronic AWB (e-AWB)

IATA standardized the e-AWB, enabling carriers and shippers to use an electronic contract in place of paper. Many airlines and parcel carriers now accept only e-AWBs on enabled routes. The e-AWB simplifies processing, reduces paperwork, and is the default contract on participating trade lanes.

Who issues and where to get one

• The AWB format and standards are defined by IATA; the document is executed by the carrier and the shipper (or their agents).
• Carriers, freight forwarders, and major parcel services provide AWB issuance and e-AWB services—typically via their online portals or shipping systems.

How to obtain and use an AWB

1. Book air carriage with a carrier or freight forwarder.
2. Provide required shipment details (addresses, commodity information, weights, declared value, special instructions).
3. Carrier or forwarder issues the AWB (paper or electronic) and obtains the necessary signatures.
4. Use the AWB number to track the shipment and follow the carrier’s procedures for delivery and claims.

Legal and practical notes

• The AWB sets out the carrier’s liability limits and claims procedures—read these terms carefully.
• Because the AWB is non-negotiable, arrangements for payment and title transfer must be handled separately (e.g., via letters of credit, commercial invoices).

Conclusion

An air waybill is the essential transport document for air cargo: it documents the shipment, establishes the carriage contract, and enables tracking. While historically issued in multiple paper copies, the industry has largely moved to the e-AWB as the standard format, streamlining international air shipments.