Definition
The non-negotiable transport document and contract of carriage for an air freight shipment.
An Air Waybill is issued when cargo is accepted for air transport. It serves as a receipt for the goods, evidence of the contract of carriage, and a basis for handling and billing, but unlike an ocean Bill of Lading it is not a document of title.
Because the AWB is non-negotiable, goods are released to the named consignee on identification rather than against surrender of an original, which makes air freight faster to clear. A house AWB is issued by a forwarder, a master AWB by the airline.
Related terms
Bill of Lading (B/L)
The carrier’s document that acts as a receipt for cargo, a contract of carriage, and a document of title.
Air Freight
The transport of goods by aircraft — fast and reliable, but the most expensive mode per kilogram.
Consignee
The party named to receive the goods at destination, as stated on the transport document.
Arrival Notice
The carrier’s or forwarder’s notification that a shipment has arrived and is ready for clearance and collection.
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