Define Air Waybill (AWB)

Air Waybill (AWB)

What Is an AWB (Air Waybill)?

An air waybill (AWB) is a document that is dispatched with goods by an international air courier and contains complete information about the shipment as well as the ability to trace it. The bill is duplicated so that all parties engaged in the shipping may keep track of it. A bill of lading known as an air waybill (AWB) or an air consignment note is a form of bill of lading. An AWB, on the other hand, performs a similar purpose as ocean bills of lading, but it is issued in non-negotiable form, which means it provides less protection than bills of lading.

How to Read an Air Waybill (AWB)

An air waybill (AWB) is a document that acts as both a receipt for goods and a contract of transport between the shipper and the carrier. It's a legal contract that may be enforced in court. When both the shipper (or shipper's agent) and the carrier (or carrier's agent) sign the AWB, it becomes an enforceable contract.

The shipper's name and address, the consignee's name and address, the three-letter origin airport code, the three-letter destination airport code, the declared shipment value for customs, the number of pieces, gross weight, a description of the goods, and any special instructions will also be included on the airway bill (e.g., "perishable").

An AWB also includes contract terms and conditions, such as the carrier's responsibility limitations and claims processes, as well as a description of the products and associated charges.

IMPORTANT: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) distributes an airway bill as a standard form (IATA).

TAKEAWAYS IMPORTANT

• An airway bill, or AWB, is a tracking record that comes with items transported by an overseas courier.

• It functions as both an airline's receipt of goods and a contract of carriage between the shipper and the carrier. It's a legal contract that may be enforced in court.

• AWBs are non-negotiable documents that must include, among other things, the shipper's name and address, the consignee's name and address, the destination airport, and the value of the cargo.

Bill of Lading vs. Airway Bill (AWB)

AWBs differ from conventional bills of lading in that they are non-negotiable documents, which means they don't specify which aeroplane the shipment will be delivered on or when it will arrive at its destination. Bills of lading are legal papers that specify the kind, amount, and destination of the goods being transported between the shipper and the carrier.

When items are delivered to a predefined location, bills of lading also serve as a receipt of shipping. This paperwork is attached to the products and is signed by the shipper, the carrier, and the recipient's authorised representatives. An air waybill (AWB), unlike a bill of lading, is non-negotiable. The AWB is a non-negotiable contract that only covers transportation and does not cover the value of the product.

An Air Waybill's Requirements

Air waybills are designed and distributed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). An airline-specific AWB and a neutral AWB are the two sorts of AWBs. The carrier's name, headquarters location, logo, and air waybill number must all be included on each airline AWB. The style and format of neutral air waybills are identical to airline AWBs; however, they are not pre populated.

An air waybill contains eleven numerals and comes in eight different colours. Paper air waybills are no longer necessary, according to the Multilateral Electronic Air Waybill Resolution 672. The electronic air waybill, or e-AWB, has been in use since 2010 and, as of 2019, has become the default contract for all air cargo shipments on enabled trade lines.

FAST FACT: Some airlines no longer print paper air waybills and solely provide electronic versions.