Logistics Terms
What Is an Air Waybill (AWB)? Fields & Functions
4 min read
An Air Waybill (AWB) is the transport document issued for air cargo. It acts as a receipt for the goods and evidence of the contract of carriage, but unlike a bill of lading it is not a document of title.
Functions of an AWB
- A receipt confirming the airline received the goods.
- Evidence of the contract of carriage and its terms.
- A reference for tracking the shipment.
Master vs House AWB
A Master AWB (MAWB) is issued by the airline to the forwarder, while a House AWB (HAWB) is issued by the forwarder to the actual shipper. The AWB is non-negotiable, so the named consignee takes delivery without surrendering an original.