An air waybill (AWB) is a document provided by the air carrier as proof of receipt for air shipments. It is a legally binding agreement between the carrier and the shipper, making it one of the most critical trade documents in international air freight.
The AWB serves as a contract of carriage, a receipt of goods, and a freight invoice all in one. Customs authorities use AWB details to verify shipment contents, assess customs duty, and ensure compliance with import and export regulations. Any errors on the AWB can cause delays at the border.
The airway bill contains five key details: shipper’s details, receiver’s details, shipment details, barcode, and payer account number. Businesses can use intelligent document processing to automatically extract AWB data and speed up customs clearance.
The airway bill contains five categories of information: