Air Waybill (AWB)

An Air Waybill (AWB) is a non-negotiable transport document that is mandatory for all air shipments. It serves as a binding contract between the shipper and the carrier, a receipt confirming the airline has received the cargo, a customs declaration providing essential shipment details for border clearance, and a key reference for real-time tracking throughout the journey. Unlike ocean bills of lading, an AWB does not confer title to the goods. Every air waybill has a unique 11-digit number consisting of a 3-digit airline prefix (IATA-assigned airline identification code), a 7-digit sequential shipment number, and a 1-digit check digit calculated from the preceding 10 digits.

An Emirates SkyCargo shipment carries AWB number 176-12345675, where 176 is the AWB prefix that identifies Emirates as the issuing carrier. A UPS Air Cargo shipment might use AWB number 406-87654321, with 406 being the UPS AWB prefix. FedEx Express shipments use prefix 023, so a typical AWB would be formatted as 023-98765432.

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What is the difference between a Master AWB (MAWB) and a House AWB (HAWB)?

A Master Air Waybill (MAWB) is the contract issued by the air carrier to the freight forwarder and covers the entire consolidated shipment composed of multiple smaller consignments from various individual shippers. A House Air Waybill (HAWB) is issued by the freight forwarder directly to each individual shipper whose goods are part of the consolidation and covers only that shipper's specific consignment. The HAWB often references the corresponding MAWB number, linking the individual consignment back to the bulk shipment.

How do I calculate the check digit in an Air Waybill number?

The check digit is calculated by dividing the AWB serial number (the 7-digit sequence) by seven and using the remainder as the check digit. This mathematically derived digit validates the accuracy of the AWB number and is calculated from the preceding 10 digits. Check digit errors cause 15% of tracking failures, so always double-check the complete 11-digit number.