What is AWB (Air Waybill)?

Air waybill (AWB) is a document that accompanies goods shipped by an international air courier to provide detailed information about the shipment and allow it to be tracked. The bill has multiple copies so that each party involved in the shipment can document it. An air waybill (AWB), also known as an air consignment note, is a type of bill of lading. However, an AWB serves a similar function to ocean bills of lading, but an AWB is issued in non-negotiable form, meaning there's less protection with an AWB versus bills of lading.

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Key takeaways:

The air waybill is the most important document issued by a carrier either directly or through its authorized agent.

It is a non-negotiable transport document that covers the transport of cargo from airport to airport.

Air waybills have eleven digit numbers which can be used to make bookings, check the status of delivery, and a current position of the shipment.

Air waybills are issued in eight sets of different colours. The first three copies are classified as originals. The first original, green in colour, is the issuing carrier's copy. The second, coloured pink, is the consignee's copy. The third, coloured blue, is the shipper's copy. A fourth brown copy acts as the Delivery Receipt or proof of delivery. The other four copies are white.

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What information does an Air Waybill document contain?

Name and addresses of both the shipper and consignee

3-letter airport codes for both the origin and destination

Shipment value

Description of items including quantity, weight, dimensions, and materials used in items and packaging

Any special instructions regarding handling

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The difference between Air waybill (AWB) and B/L or BOL(Bill of Lading):

Airway bill is a document of proof of receipt issued by air carrier of goods to shipper on receipt of goods for on carriage. Where as bill of lading is a document of proof of receipt issued by sea carrier of goods to shipper on receipt of goods for on carriage.

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Notes:

Waybills are non-negotiable documents, unlike bills of lading, which are usually negotiable. The words "non-negotiable" are printed clearly at the top of the air waybill. This means that the air waybill is a receipt for goods and a contract for transportation only and does not transfer ownership of merchandise mentioned in the box "nature and quantity of goods".

An air waybill executed according to the terms of the letter of credit allows the shipper to present the shipper's copy of the air waybill to the bank, with an invoice and other documents stipulated in the letter of credit, and collect the billed value of the shipped goods from the bank.

The AWB used to be a one-page physical paper document, but the e-AWB is considered the standard nowadays and is filled out and stored electronically.