Luchtvrachtbrief

Luchtvrachtbrief, or air waybill (AWB), is a standard document used in air cargo transport. Issued by the carrier or its freight forwarder, it accompanies the shipment and records the contract of carriage, receipt of goods, and the agreed terms. The AWB also provides instructions for handling, routing, and billing, and it is used in customs clearance. It is a non-negotiable document and does not transfer ownership of the cargo; ownership remains with the shipper through the transport process.

There are two main forms of air waybill: the Master Air Waybill (MAWB) and the House Air Waybill (HAWB). The MAWB is issued by the carrier to the freight forwarder and covers the entire air cargo shipment; the HAWB is issued by the freight forwarder to the shipper and describes individual consignments within the MAWB. An AWB number, which identifies the shipment, typically includes an airline prefix and a serial number. In recent years, electronic air waybills (e-AWB) have become common, reducing paper and enabling faster data exchange.

Typical contents of an AWB include the shipper and consignee names and addresses, notify party, airport of departure and destination, carrier and flight details, a description of goods, number of pieces, gross weight and dimensions, and charges. It also contains handling instructions, hazardous goods information if applicable, and any special requirements or endorsements. The AWB functions as a receipt and a contract and is a key document for customs, billing, and liability handling.

In international practice, the AWB is standardized under IATA formats, and electronic versions are increasingly adopted to streamline processing and reduce paperwork.