What Is Airway Bill (AWB)? Function

1. What is Air Waybill?

An airway bill (AWB), also known as an airway bill, is an important legal document. This type of paper is issued by the airline, airline agent, or forwarder. The air freight forwarder in AWB contains detailed information about the goods, based on information provided by the shipper.

AWB is not only a document certifying the dispatch and receipt of goods but also an important tool for tracking and managing shipments. It includes information about the shipper, consignee, goods description, quantity, weight, value, and shipping conditions. In addition, it also includes other terms and conditions related to air freight services.

2. Function of the airwaybill

Air waybills play an important role in the process of transporting goods by air. This bill of lading performs two main functions:

Delivery receipt to the carrier:

• AWB is legal proof that the goods have been delivered to the airline or courier agent. This helps confirm the transfer of goods from sender to carrier, facilitating a smooth shipping process.

Proof of shipping contract:

• AWB represents the terms and conditions of the contract of carriage between the shipper and the carrier.
• AWB is a tool that helps closely monitor and manage shipments. The airline bill not only ensures accuracy and legality during the transportation process but also facilitates management and communication between partners in the supply chain.

Important note: An airline bill (AWB) cannot be considered a document of ownership and is not transferable like a bill of lading. In some special cases, to pay via letter of credit (L/C), the buyer and seller will need to discuss and carry out some additional procedures. For example, having a letter of commitment to guarantee means asking the bank to "endorse" the back of the AWB to be able to pick up the goods.

• Regarding order: After the shipper has delivered the goods to the carrier and completed export customs procedures, the carrier will issue an air waybill. Because transport times by plane are faster than by ship, a set of AWBs is often included with the goods for quick reference by all parties. This helps the consignee carry out import procedures at the destination conveniently.
• The original AWB bill of lading will be issued simultaneously to many parties, such as the carrier, consignee, and shipper. When the goods arrive, the consignee or their agent can go to the shipping company's office to receive the AWB along with the set of documents accompanying the goods. Depending on contractual arrangements, the importer can also receive the AWB and original set of documents via a courier service before the goods arrive to conveniently begin the import procedure.

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3. Classification of air waybills - AWB

Air waybills will be classified based on issuer and consolidation. Depending on the issuer, there are two important types of bills of lading in the field of air transport:

• Airline bill of lading (Airlines AWB): It is issued by the airline; this bill of lading is often accompanied by an identifying symbol of the airline, such as a logo or a proprietary identification code. Airlines AWB is used when the airline acts as a freight carrier.
• Neutral AWB: This is a standard bill of lading issued by IATA. Neutral AWB does not contain the name and logo of any carrier. The bill of lading is used when the consolidator or the airline's agent performs the consolidation.

Based on the consolidation of goods, there are also two important types of bills of lading in air transport:

• Consolidator's bill of lading (House AWB-HAWB): This is the bill of lading that the consolidator issues to the consignor when the consignor delivers retail goods to them. This is the original bill of lading that usually contains the code and name of the master bill of lading.
• Master bill of lading (Master AWB-MAWB): This bill of lading is issued by the airline to the shipper when they make a reservation for the shipment directly through the airline. It helps manage and control entire shipments, simplifying the shipping process for shippers and airlines.

4. Distinguish between the concepts of HAWB and MAWB

Perhaps the concepts of HAWB and MAWA are unfamiliar to many people, and these two concepts can easily cause confusion. Let Dolphin Sea Air help you distinguish these two concepts!

Actually, HAWB (House Airway Bill) and MAWB (Master Airway Bill) are both types of airway bills, but they have different origins and issuers, creating important differences in the transportation process. goods:

• HAWB (House Bill of Lading): Issued by the forwarder or their agent. Often used when the shipper makes a reservation with the airline, the party in charge of delivery will issue a HAWB.
• MAWB (Master Bill of Lading): Issued by the airline. When it is the forwarder's turn to book with the airline for the shipment, the airline will issue them a Master Airway Bill (MAWB).

5. Contents on the air waybill

The air waybill is an important form in the international shipping industry, regulated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Information on AWB is divided into two parts: front and back.

5.1. Contents on the front of the air waybill

The front of the Airway Bill (AWB) shows the most detailed and important information about the shipment, which the airline transports to Logistics/Freight Forwarders. Here's a summary of the details provided on the AWB front:

• Sender and consignee information: sender and consignee names and detailed addresses.
• Bill of Lading Number (AWB Number): Unique code to identify the bill of lading in the system.
• Departure airport: departure location of the shipment.
• Name and address of the unit delivering the bill of lading: Information about the sending unit
• Shipping agent name: Determine the name of the shipping agent that shipped the goods.

• Route: Describes the expected route or route of the trip.
• Detailed information about the shipment: including the declared value of the goods, insurance value for the shipment, number of packages in the shipment, costs and freight related to shipping,...
• Information on the liquidation of shipping costs for the shipment: Details on payment of freight and shipping costs, including information on prepayment or postpayment.
• Currency: currency used in transactions and payments.
• Fees and costs: detailed data on fees and costs related to transportation.
• Shipping declaration value: the declared value for the transportation of goods.
• Customs declared value: value declared to customs.

5.2. Contents on the back of the air waybill - AWB

The back of the Airway Bill (AWB) provides a series of important information and terms about the carriage of goods. This helps to better understand the responsibilities and conditions of stakeholders.

Here is a summary and some important points:

• Responsibilities of related parties: Describe the liability limits of the parties to clearly define their level of financial responsibility.
• Regulations on types of goods: Clearly identify the types of goods accepted for transportation and regulations on prohibited or restricted goods.
• Chargeable weight of goods: specifies how to calculate charges based on the weight of the goods.
• Shipping time: estimated delivery time specified.
• Cargo insurance: Regulations on purchasing insurance for goods during transportation.

• Definitions and applicable laws: Provides accurate definitions for important terms in the document, such as the definition of carrier, the definition of transportation, the agreed stopping point,...
• Complaint and dispute resolution deadline: Describes the complaint and dispute resolution process, including deadlines and specific steps to resolve any problems that arise during transportation.

6. How to look up air waybill - AWB

When using Dolphin Sea Air's air transportation service, you can look up the status of your order on the company's website. There are two search stages, as follows:

6.1. Check the goods when they enter the warehouse

To look up goods once they are in the warehouse, please follow these steps:

• Step 1: Go directly to Dolphin Sea Air's website.
• Step 2: Enter the bill of lading number to look up

6.2. Check goods during the flight back and forth

• Step 1: Visit Dolphin Sea Air's website.
• Step 2: Find the tracking section and enter the AWB number so you can look up the information you need.
• Step 3: Select option or direct.
• Step 4: Enter the flight lookup results.

Note: An airline bill (AWB) cannot be considered a document of ownership and cannot be transferred like a bill of lading. In some special cases, to pay via letter of credit (L/C), the buyer and seller will need to discuss and carry out some additional procedures, such as having a letter of guarantee. , by asking the bank to "endorse" the back of the AWB to be able to pick up the goods.

>>>> READ ARTICLE: What is advantages and disadvantages of air transport?

7. Number of originals and copies of the air waybill - AWB

When issued, the air waybill (AWB) is usually organized into a set of at least 9 copies, including 3 originals (original) and 6 copies (copy) onward. When the AWB release process is carried out, it has certain characteristics:

• Original 1 - Green: It is delivered to the carrier and contains the shipper's signature; this copy will be retained as an accounting document.

• Original 2 - Pink: Exclusively for the consignee and sent with the goods to the recipient. Original 2 includes the signatures of both the shipper and the carrier.

Original number 2

• Original 3 - Blue: Different from the pink version, this copy is reserved for the shipper and is proof that the carrier has picked up the goods. This side contains the signatures of the carrier and shipper.
• Copy No. 4 - Yellow: This is the delivery receipt and is for the final carrier. It bears the consignee's signature and is confirmation from the consignee that the goods have been delivered.

Copies No. 5 to No. 9—White:

• Copy No. 5: For arrival airports and available at arrival airports.
• Copy No. 6: For the third carrier, when the goods are delivered at the third airport.
• Copy No. 7: For the second carrier, when the goods are delivered at the second airport.
• Copy number 8: For the first carrier, keep it when handling the goods.
• Copy No. 9: For dealer use, retained by dealer or carrier.
• Copies No. 10 to 14: These copies are used only in specific cases when necessary, usually only for the carrier.

8. Airway bill issuance process

The process of issuing air waybills is described in six steps, as follows:

• Step 1: The shipper transfers his products or goods to the carrier.
• Step 2: The carrier creates and issues a bill of lading (called AWB No. 3) to the shipper. This is an important document to confirm shipment information.
• Step 3: The goods are transferred to the plane to begin the journey to the importing country.
• Step 4: The shipper prepares the necessary documents, which may include AWB No. 3 or other documents for the recipient.
• Step 5: The consignee arrives at the airport at the address and presents the necessary documents to the carrier's agent.
• Step 6: After checking and confirming the documents, the carrier's agent at the airport will deliver the goods to the consignee. Note that there is no need to present the original AWB, as the information has been previously confirmed.

9. A few questions related to air waybills

Here are a few questions that people often ask about air tickets. Let Dolphin Sea Air answer these concerns!

• Is an air waybill transferable?

The answer is no; AWB cannot be transferred like sea transport.

• How many copies of the airway bill are there?

When released, AWB is usually arranged in 9 copies, including 3 originals (green, pink, and blue) and 6 copies (1 yellow and the remaining 5 white).

Above is all the knowledge about airway bill that Dolphin Sea Air has learned. Hopefully, we have been able to help you better understand the term AWB and the processes used to easily transport goods by air.

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