What Is an Air Waybill (AWB)?
Let me explain what an air waybill (AWB) is. It's a document that goes with goods shipped by an international air courier, giving you detailed info about the shipment so you can track it. This bill comes in multiple copies, allowing each party in the shipment to document everything. You might also hear it called an air consignment note, and it's a type of bill of lading. But keep in mind, an AWB works like ocean bills of lading, except it's issued in non-negotiable form, which means it offers less protection than those bills.
Key Takeaways
Here's what you need to know right away. An air waybill or AWB accompanies goods shipped by an international courier and lets you track them. It acts as a receipt from the airline and a contract of carriage between you as the shipper and the carrier—it's a legal agreement you can enforce in court. These AWBs are non-negotiable, and they must list your name and address as the shipper, the consignee's details, the destination airport, and the value of the contents, plus other required info.
Understanding an Air Waybill (AWB)
When you dig into it, an air waybill serves as a receipt from the airline, which is the carrier, and as a contract between you and them. This makes it a legal agreement that's enforceable by law. The AWB turns into an enforceable contract once you or your agent and the carrier or their agent sign it. Remember, it's a standard form from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The document includes your name and address as shipper, the consignee's name and address, the three-letter codes for origin and destination airports, the declared value for customs, number of pieces, gross weight, a description of the goods, and any special instructions like if something is perishable. It also covers the contract conditions, including the carrier's terms, liability limits, claims procedures, goods description, and charges.
Air Waybill vs. Bill of Lading
You should understand how AWBs differ from other bills of lading. They're non-negotiable, so they don't specify which flight the shipment goes on or when it arrives. Bills of lading are legal docs between you as shipper and the carrier, detailing type, quantity, and destination of goods. They act as a receipt when goods are delivered, signed by shipper, carrier, and recipient. But an AWB, being non-negotiable, is just for transportation and doesn't cover the value of the merchandise.
Requirements for an Air Waybill
The IATA designs and distributes these air waybills. There are airline-specific ones and neutral ones. The airline versions include the carrier's name, head office, logo, and AWB number. Neutral ones have the same layout but aren't pre-filled. Some airlines have ditched paper AWBs entirely, offering only electronic access.
An AWB has 11 numbers and originally came with eight colored copies. But with the Multilateral Electronic Air Waybill Resolution 672, paper isn't required anymore. The e-AWB has been around since 2010 and became the default for air cargo on enabled routes in 2019.
Who Provides the Air Waybill?
Air waybills are IATA documents that both you as the shipper and the carrier sign. IATA represents over 80% of air traffic, including major airlines and services like FedEx and UPS.
What Is Required in the Air Waybill?
In the AWB, you'll find the shipper and recipient names and addresses, cargo value, three-letter airport codes for origin and destination, number of pieces, gross weight, description, special instructions, and other contract conditions.
Where Do I Get an Air Waybill?
You can get a standard e-AWB agreement from the IATA website. Most carriers, like FedEx, also provide e-AWBs for your convenience.
The Bottom Line
If you're shipping goods internationally, an air waybill is the contract between you and the carrier that spells out the shipment contents, origin, destination, and other details. The electronic version has been the default since 2019. It's non-negotiable, defines the shipment details, gets signed by both parties, and is enforceable by law.
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