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Transport documentation
The air waybill
An air waybill (AWB) is a standard form distributed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) that accompanies goods shipped by an international air courier to provide information about the shipment and allow it to be tracked. The bill has multiple copies, so that each party involved in the shipment can document it.
An AWB serves as a receipt of goods by an airline (the carrier), as well as a contract of carriage between the shipper and the carrier. It becomes an enforceable contract when the shipper (or shipper’s agent) and carrier (or carrier’s agent) both sign the document.
The AWB contains:
- the shipper’s name and address
- the consignee’s name and address
- the origin airport code
- the destination airport code
- the declared shipment value for customs
- the number of pieces
- the gross weight
- a description of the goods
- any special instructions (e.g., “perishable”)
- the carrier’s terms and conditions and charges.
There are two types of AWBs – an airline-specific one and a neutral one. Each airline’s air waybill must include the carrier’s name, head office address, logo and air waybill number. Neutral air waybills have the same layout and format as airline AWB but aren’t prepopulated.
There are two further types of air waybills: the master AWB and the house AWB.
A master airway bill (MAWB) details the complete information of the consignment, including the place of origin, destination and cost of the shipment. Most importantly, it is issued by the agent on behalf of the airline.
A master air waybill has 11 numbers and comes with eight copies, in varying colours. Since 2010, paper air waybills are no longer required. The ‘e-AWB’ has been in use since 2010 and became the default contract for all air cargo shipments on enabled trade lines in 2019.
A house airway bill (HAWB) is released by a freight agent and serves as proof that the goods have been received by the customer. A HAWB provides two benefits to the customer – it serves as proof of receipt of the goods and is evidence of an agreement between both parties. The HAWB clearly states the terms and conditions and should be read by both parties carefully. Bear in mind that HAWB is not the document title. Most importantly, only one copy of a HAWB is issued, while the airline or the agent releases seven copies of a MAWB (of the total eight copies available).
A HAWB does not have a long verification code like the MAWB ‘s 11-digit code. The first three digits is a prefix, while the rest of the numbers are used to keep track of the consignment.
View and download examples of a Master AWB and House AWB here.
| Master air waybill | House air waybill | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Carrier (e.g. airline, shipping line or groupage service) | Forwarding company (e.g. Kuehne Nagel) |
| Issued on | Carrier's pre-printed air waybill form | Standard air waybill form |
| Signed by | Carrier or their agent | Forwarding agent (carrier not stated) |
| IATA rules | Apply | May or may not apply |
| T&Cs | Carriage T&Cs stated | Forwarder's T&Cs stated |
| References | MAWB number | MAWB & HAWB number |
Available to download here.
The bill of lading
A bill of lading (B/L or BoL) is used for sea shipments.
It is a legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper that details the type, quantity and destination of the goods being carried.
A bill of lading also serves as a shipment receipt when the carrier delivers the goods to a predetermined destination. This document must accompany the shipped products and must be signed by an authorised representative from the carrier, shipper and receiver.
A bill of lading is a legally binding document that provides the carrier and shipper with the necessary details to accurately process a shipment.
BoLs usually carry the name of a specific person (consignee). This is called a “straight bill of lading” and means that the person to whom the shipment is being delivered is the only person who can sign for and accept the shipment. This bill of lading is non-transferrable.
View and download a Bill of lading here.
The waybill
A waybill is an official shipping document that travels with a shipment, identifies its shipper, transporter and consignee, origin and destination, describes the goods and shows their weight and freight. See above for more details on how to use the waybill copies.
The standard IFRC waybill form is available here and at the end of this section.
The CMR
A CMR is a waybill used in international road transportation. It is an abbreviation of a French term: “Convention relative au contrat de transport international de marchandises par route”.
If goods are being transported internationally by road within the European Economic Area, you must use a CMR note. At least three original copies are required, which are signed by both the freight carrier and the sender.
See link for members of the CMR convention – shipments by road from Europe to these countries (and back) require CMR letters. The CMR forms a contract between the sender and the carrier company and confirms that the carrier has received the goods. It also sets out the transport and liability conditions between the two parties.
The following details are part of the CMR waybill:
- place and date of issue
- address and name of sender
- address and name of carrier
- place and date of acquisition of the goods, and place of delivery
- name and address of recipient
- definition of the type of goods, as well as the type of packaging
- the quantity and sequence of the packages (“box 1 of 22” for example)
- the weight and dimensions of each box
- statement of costs (for example, for freight, tariffs, extra charges, etc)
- instructions for handling tariffs, and for other official regulations
- the agreement that all transports must conform to conventions, even if contents differ
- mention of the prohibition of transhipment
- the costs carried by the sender
- the collection fees at delivery
- exact information about the value of the transport goods
- all handling specifications from the sender to the carrier, for insurance
- the time limit by which the transport must be completed
- a list of all documents handed to the carrier.
The colour-coding and disposal of the CMR consignment not is explained here.
Read the next section on Transport data analysis here.
Related resources
Download useful tools and templates here