An AWB (air waybill) is the core air cargo document evidencing the contract of carriage between the shipper and the airline and confirming that the cargo has been received. Under the IATA standard it carries an 11-digit number, the first three digits identifying the airline. Unlike an ocean bill of lading, it is non-negotiable, is not a document of title and also serves as the shipment's tracking number.
Legal nature of the AWB
The basic rules of international carriage by air are set out in the 1999 Montreal Convention, to which Türkiye is also a party. The Convention provides for an air waybill to be issued for cargo, or for any other means preserving a record of the carriage to be used. Until proven otherwise, the AWB is prima facie evidence of three things: the conclusion of the contract of carriage, the acceptance of the cargo by the carrier, and the conditions of carriage stated in the document.
A paper AWB consists of three original parts. The first original is for the carrier and bears the shipper's signature. The second is for the consignee; it is signed by both shipper and carrier and travels with the cargo. The third is signed by the carrier after acceptance of the cargo and handed to the shipper. In addition, copies are printed for operations and accounting.
What information does the document contain?
- Name and address of the shipper and consignee; notify party, if any
- Airport of departure and destination, routing and flight details
- Number of pieces, gross weight, dimensions and chargeable weight
- Rate class, freight and other charges; whether prepaid or payable at destination (collect)
- Description of goods, special handling codes and dangerous goods declaration
- Declared value for carriage and for customs
How do you read an AWB number?
Under the IATA standard, the AWB number has 11 digits and is usually written in the format 000-00000000. The first three digits are the prefix IATA assigns to the airline; for example, prefix 235 belongs to Turkish Airlines. The next seven digits are the serial number. The last digit is the check digit: the remainder when the serial number is divided by 7. If the serial is 1234567, the remainder is 5 and the number becomes 235-12345675. Because the remainder can be at most 6, an AWB number ending in 7, 8 or 9 is invalid. The same number is used to follow the shipment on the airline's cargo tracking page.
Difference from the ocean bill of lading
| Feature | AWB (air) | Bill of lading B/L (sea) |
|---|---|---|
| Endorsement | Non-negotiable; marked "Not Negotiable" | Negotiable by endorsement if issued "to order" |
| Represents title | No | Yes |
| Delivery | To the consignee named in the document, without presentation of an original | To the holder presenting the original bill of lading |
| Speed | Travels with the cargo | May arrive after the vessel |
Because it cannot be endorsed, goods in transit cannot be sold by transferring an AWB. For this reason, in letter of credit transactions some banks require their own name to be entered as consignee. Its maritime counterpart, the bill of lading, can change hands by endorsement.
What is an e-AWB?
An e-AWB is an AWB issued as electronic data. IATA Resolution 672, the Multilateral e-AWB Agreement, removes the requirement for a paper AWB. The agent and the airline sign the agreement with IATA once; an activation notice is sent before starting at each location. In consolidated shipments this master document is called the MAWB; the distinction is explained in the entry MAWB and HAWB.
Liability limit and notice of damage
Under the Montreal Convention, the carrier's liability limit for cargo has been 26 SDR per kilogram since 28 December 2024; the previous limit was 22 SDR. The shipper can raise this limit by declaring a higher value for carriage on the AWB and paying a supplementary charge. Damage must be notified in writing within 14 days of delivery; delay within 21 days of the date the cargo was placed at the consignee's disposal.
Common mistakes
- Writing the consignee's company name differently from the commercial invoice, which causes matching problems in customs clearance
- Describing the goods only as "general cargo"
- Entering the number into the system without verifying the check digit
How does Voltim Global support you?
Voltim Global plans air freight shipments with partner airlines and air cargo agents and acts as the customer's single point of contact from booking to delivery. The details to be entered on the AWB are finalised together with the customer so that they match the commercial invoice and packing list.