Logistics & transporten
Air Waybill (AWB)
Non-negotiable air transport document serving as a contract of carriage, receipt for goods, and instructions for the carrier.
Definition and characteristics
The Air Waybill (AWB) is the standard document for air freight. Issued by the airline or freight forwarder, it serves multiple functions:
- Contract of carriage between the shipper and the air carrier
- Receipt of goods by the carrier
- Instruction sheet for handling and delivery
Unlike the maritime bill of lading, the AWB is not a document of title and is not negotiable.
Legal framework
The AWB is governed by the Montreal Convention (1999), which replaced the Warsaw Convention (1929). It defines:
- Liability limits of the carrier (22 SDR/kg for cargo)
- Claim deadlines (14 days for damage, 21 days for delays)
- Mandatory particulars of the AWB
Types of AWB
- MAWB (Master Air Waybill): issued by the airline, covers the entire consolidated shipment
- HAWB (House Air Waybill): issued by the freight forwarder for each individual shipment within a consolidation
Key watch points
- The AWB must be issued before goods are handed to the carrier
- Dangerous goods require a specific Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) compliant with IATA DGR
- The e-AWB (electronic AWB) is now standard on most routes, in accordance with IATA Resolution 672