Air waybills (AWBs) are really essential in the changing world of global shipping. This simple document does a lot in air shipping, from making sure things go smoothly to sorting out problems.
What is an Air Waybill?
In substance, an airline’s receipt for goods shipped by air is called an AWB. It performs three essential tasks:
Contract of Carriage: It’s like a annexure that says how things will be shipped between the sender and the carrier.
Receipt of Goods: It shows the airline got the things to send and gives details like how heavy, big, and what kind of stuff they are.
Shipment Tracking: It gives a special number to the shipper, receiver, and carrier. They use it to check where the shipment is going.
Types of Air Waybills
There are three main types of airwaybills:
Master Air Waybill (MAWB)
The first important type of air waybill enotes to the shipper. When your business operating worldwide, you mainly invovle in international shipping process considerabily by air. Therefore, knowing about it is important. You can also think it as the boarding pass for your goods.
House Air Waybill (HAWB)
The second important airway bill tactic is House Air Waybill, short code HAWB is offerd to various receivers for each part of a big shipment. It forwarded by the freight handler. This bill ensure that your goods will transact smoothly and securely throughout the destination it covers.
Electronic Air Waybill (e-AWB)
More people are liking this digital AWB because it works well and is good for the environment. Picture a world where lots of paperwork and hard manual work are swapped for easy digital solutions. That’s precisely what the e-AWB brings to the table. No more sorting through piles of papers. Now, just a few clicks can start and follow your stuff all over the world.
Importance of the Air Waybill in Shipping
The airwaybill is crucial for several reasons:
Ensures Clarity and Accountability – It helps avoid arguments and waiting by saying what each person has to do for the shipment.
Facilitates Smooth Customs Clearance – It has all the information required by customs officials to quickly and effectively clear the goods at the destination airport.
Enables Accurate Tracking and Tracing – Everyone can check where the package is using the special tracking number. It helps you know what’s happening and feel calm.
Serves as a Financial Instrument – The AWB may occasionally be used as a negotiating tool to obtain financing for the shipment.
The Role of the Air Waybill in Shipping
It is crucial to give importance to the Air Waybill when shipping through air. Becuaase it helps goods move smoothly from one place to another.
Let’s delve into the various aspects that make the AWB indispensable in the shipping industry.
Legal Document
At its core, the AWB is a legal contract between the shipper, the carrier (typically an airline), and the consignee. It shows that everyone agrees on how the goods will be moved. It lists the rules for transporting them.
Documentation and Tracking
The AWB is an important document. It has all the important details about the shipment. It has info like who sent the package and who will get it, what’s inside, where it’s from and going, and any special instructions. Also, the AWB gives a special number to track the package. It helps people watch where it goes.
Customs Clearance
In global shipping, the AWB helps with customs clearance. It’s really important. The AWB gives customs important info about the shipment. This makes customs go smoothly and follows the rules for importing and exporting.
Cargo Liability
The AWB says how much the stuff is worth. This helps decide who’s responsible if something goes wrong during shipping. By clearly stating the declared value for carriage, the AWB helps protect the interests of both the shipper and the carrier.
Efficiency and Transparency
With the advent changes in technologies many of AWBs are now electronic.
This making shipping faster and easier to examine to see what’s happening without wait. For example; fedex company take advantage of AWB bills to solve fedex operational delay for faster deliveries.
Also, information tackling become easy as they send info quickly, use less paper, and make it easier to track shipments.
To sum up, the Air Waybill does many jobs in shipping. It’s a contract, paperwork, helps with customs and decides who’s responsible for cargo. In a fast, accurate, and reliable industry, the AWB is super important. It’s a big part of how things move worldwide.
How to track a shipment using Airway Bill
You can track your packages easily. Just use the simple air cargo tracker on the Patang Global Visibility Platform. To check your package, type in your AWB number. It’s 10-19 characters long and gives you lots of info.
Conclusion
May airway bill is just a piece of paper but it has an extremely importance to theairfreight sector.
It is an essential document that guarantees the efficient, safe, and seamless movement of goods across international borders.
Thus, the next time you witness an aircraft taking to the sky, keep in mind the air waybill—the silent hero that silently performs its role.
FAQs
Who prepares the Air Waybill?
The responsibility for preparing the AWB usually lies with the shipper or their agent. However, the airline may also prepare it in some cases.
What information does an Air Waybill contain?
The AWB includes details such as the shipper’s and consignee’s names and addresses, the nature and weight of the goods, the routing information, and the declared value of the shipment.
What happens to the Air Waybill after the shipment arrives?
The AWB is typically retained by the consignee as proof of delivery. Copies may also be kept by the shipper, the airline, and customs authorities.
How do I print an AWB?
Using the AWB portal, users can fill form and take print easily for their business operations. It acts as proof of air freight shipment.
How to find AWB bill number?
AWB bill number is 11 digit number and it typically located on your carrier’s shipping label. But you can also find it on your email communications.
