20/11/2025
Air Waybill (AWB) Explained
To many, it is âjust paperwork.â In reality, it is a 45-point legally binding contract that makes international air freight possible.
1. MAWB No. â 11-digit master air waybill number with airline prefix + sequence + check digit.
2. HAWB No. â Issued by a freight forwarder, format flexible, often includes the forwarder code.
3. Shipperâs Name & Address â Full details + contact info.
4. Issued By â Airline (for MAWB) or Forwarder (for HAWB).
5. Consigneeâs Name & Address â Full details + contact info.
6. Notify Party â Party informed upon arrival (agent or consignee).
7. Agentâs IATA Code â Forwarderâs IATA CASS code.
8. Account No. â IATA settlement account (if required).
9. Accounting Info â Freight terms (Prepaid / Collect).
10. Airport of Departure â Three-letter code (e.g. CAI).
11. Reference No. â For certificates or related docs.
12. Destination Airport â Three-letter code.
13. By First Carrier / To / By â Carrier codes + routing.
14. Currency â Origin currency (USD, EUR, CNY, etc).
15. CHGS Code â Charges code (often blank in paper copy).
16. WT/VAL â Weight/Valuation charges payment: PPD or COLL.
17. Other Charges Payment Method â Prepaid or Collect.
18. Declared Value for Carriage â Carrier liability value; NVD if none.
19. Declared Value for Customs â Commercial value for customs; NCV if none.
20. Airport of Destination â Full name / IATA code.
21. Flight/Date â Flight number & date.
22. Amount of Insurance â Insured value; NIL if none.
23. Handling Information â Special handling (hazmat, fragile, etc).
24. No. of Pieces / RCP â Total packages & rate combination point.
25. Gross Weight â Shipment gross weight.
26. Kg/Lb â Weight unit indicator.
27. Rate Class â M (Minimum), N (Normal), Q (Quantity), etc.
28. Commodity Item No. â Commodity-specific rate code.
29. Chargeable Weight â Greater of gross or volumetric weight.
30. Rate/Charge â Freight rate/unit.
31. Total â Total freight charges (rate à weight).
32. Nature & Quantity of Goods â Detailed description.
33. Weight Charge â Prepaid or Collect, depending on terms.
34. Valuation Charge â Prepaid/Collect valuation cost.
35. Tax â Prepaid or Collect tax amount.
36. Other Charges Due Agent â Charges owed to agent.
37. Other Charges Due Carrier â Charges owed to carrier.
38. Total Prepaid / Total Collect â Summed charges by payment type.
39. Currency Conversion Rate â Destination conversion rate.
40. CC Charges in Destination Currency â Collect charges in destination currency.
41. Other Charges â Additional surcharges (AWC, MYC/FSC, etc).
42. Signature of Shipper/Agent â Shipper or forwarderâs signature/stamp.
43. Executed On / Date / Place â Issuing branchâs stamp, date, place.
44. Charges at Destination â Charges noted at the arrival airport.
45. Total Collect Charges â Final charges due on delivery.
đ Bottom line
The AWB is not just paper. It is the backbone of trust, compliance, and smooth air freight movement.
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