An air waybill is a transport document issued for air cargo that records the shipment, routing and carriage details. It serves as evidence of the contract of carriage and a receipt for goods accepted by the carrier. Unlike a negotiable bill of lading, it does not transfer title to the goods.
What information does an air waybill contain?
- Shipper and consignee details
- Origin, destination and routing
- Air waybill number and carrier
- Package count, weight and dimensions
- Goods description and handling instructions
- Freight charges and declared values where applicable
Master vs. house air waybill
A master air waybill is issued by the airline to the freight forwarder for the consolidated shipment. A house air waybill is issued by the forwarder to the individual shipper. Parties should reconcile both references when cargo moves within a consolidation.
How is it used in trade operations?
The air waybill supports cargo acceptance, tracking, customs processing, delivery and freight reconciliation. Details should agree with the commercial invoice, packing list and customs declaration, particularly the parties, package counts, weights and goods description.
What should a buyer verify?
Confirm that the consignee, airport, routing and shipment identifiers match the purchase and delivery instructions. An air waybill can show that a carrier accepted cargo, but it does not by itself prove customs clearance, final delivery or conformity of the goods.
