Air Waybill (AWB): What It Is and How to Use It in Air Freight

An Air Waybill (AWB) is one of the most important documents in air cargo. It acts as a contract of carriage between the shipper and the air carrier (or their agent), a receipt for the goods, and a key reference for shipment tracking. Unlike many ocean-freight documents, an AWB is non-negotiable (it is not a document of title and does not transfer ownership).

If you are shipping by air, you will almost always need an AWB alongside other core paperwork such as the commercial invoice and packing list for customs clearance.

What Is an Air Waybill (AWB)?

An AWB is a standardized air-freight document (often issued electronically as an e-AWB) that confirms the carrier has accepted the cargo and sets out the shipment’s transport terms and routing information.

In practice, an AWB helps you:

• Evidence the shipping agreement (terms of carriage)
• Prove the carrier received the cargo
• Reference the shipment for tracking and visibility
• Support customs clearance as part of the required document set

When Do You Need an AWB?

You typically need an AWB for:

• Air Freight (airport-to-airport or door-to-door air cargo movements)
• Air Express / Courier shipments (often with a courier waybill that functions similarly for tracking and carriage terms)

If you are preparing documentation for air customs, the AWB is commonly listed among required supporting documents.

What Information Is on an AWB?

An AWB contains shipment-identifying details and operational data used by carriers, handlers, and customs.

Common AWB Fields (What to Check Before Cargo Departs)

AWB Number Format (Tracking Identifier)

AWB numbers are commonly 11 digits and typically include:

• 3-digit airline prefix
• 7-digit serial number
• 1 check digit

Is an AWB the Same as a Bill of Lading?

Not exactly.

• An Air Waybill (AWB) is non-negotiable and not a document of title, it does not represent ownership that can be transferred.
• A Bill of Lading (B/L) (commonly used in ocean freight) can be negotiable and may function as a document of title depending on the type issued.

This difference matters most when shipments involve trade finance, endorsements, or title transfer requirements.

MAWB vs HAWB: What’s the Difference?

You may see one AWB or two, depending on how the shipment is arranged:

• MAWB (Master Air Waybill): Issued by the airline (or its authorized agent) for the consolidated air shipment.
• HAWB (House Air Waybill): Issued by a freight forwarder to the shipper for the shipper’s individual consignment within that consolidation.

Why it matters:

Your tracking reference and your contracting party can differ depending on whether you are looking at a MAWB or a HAWB.

How to Use an AWB for Tracking and Customs Clearance

1) Use the AWB Number for Tracking

Your AWB number is the primary identifier you can share to check status updates with the carrier, forwarder, or platform (depending on how the shipment was booked).

2) Keep AWB Details Consistent Across Documents

Customs clearance commonly requires the AWB details to align with:

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Any required permits/certificates (depending on commodity and destination)

3) Share the Correct Document Type With the Right Party

• If working directly with an airline: MAWB details are usually central.
• If shipping via a forwarder: HAWB may be the day-to-day reference you receive, while MAWB is used for the airline movement.

Common AWB Mistakes That Cause Delays

Avoid these frequent issues:

• Name/address mismatches (shipper/consignee vs invoice)
• Inaccurate cargo description (too vague or inconsistent with invoice)
• Incorrect weights or package counts (billing disputes and acceptance problems)
• Missing compliance flags (e.g., special handling needs; DG declarations when applicable)
• Wrong routing or airport codes (misrouted freight and missed connections)

Even small inconsistencies can trigger checks or holds, especially at export acceptance and during customs processing.

Do I need an AWB for customs clearance?

In most air freight situations, the AWB is one of the supporting documents used for customs clearance alongside commercial paperwork.

Final Takeaway

• An Air Waybill (AWB) is a non-negotiable air cargo document used as a contract of carriage, receipt, and tracking reference.
• AWBs typically include shipper/consignee details, routing, cargo description, package count, and weight data.
• MAWB = airline-level document; HAWB = forwarder-issued document for the shipper’s consignment.
• AWB consistency with invoice/packing list helps reduce customs delays.