What is an air waybill?

An air waybill (AWB), also written airway bill, is the core document for an air cargo shipment. Governed by IATA, it is a contract of carriage, a receipt for the goods, and a customs declaration, all in one.

Every AWB carries an 11-digit number: a 3-digit airline prefix, a 7-digit serial number, and a check digit. A Master air waybill (MAWB) is issued by the airline for the whole consignment; a House air waybill (HAWB) is issued by the freight forwarder to each shipper under that master. This generator produces both, and most modern shipments move as an electronic air waybill (eAWB).

What an air waybill must include

• AWB number: 3-digit airline prefix, 7-digit serial, and a check digit (serial modulo 7).

• Parties: shipper (name, address, account), consignee, and the issuing carrier's agent with IATA code.

• Issuing carrier: the airline name and the airport of departure.

• Routing and flight: airport of departure and destination (3-letter codes), first carrier, flight number, and date.

• Cargo: number of pieces, gross weight (kg or lb), rate class, chargeable weight, rate, nature and quantity of goods with dimensions.

• Declared values: for carriage (often NVD) and for customs (often NCV), plus any insurance amount.

• Charges: weight charge, valuation charge, tax, and other charges, marked Prepaid (PP) or Collect (CC), with the currency.

• Handling and signatures: special handling codes, and the shipper and issuing carrier or agent signatures with the date and place of execution.

How to create an air waybill, step by step

1. Pick MAWB or HAWB: Choose Master (issued by the airline) or House (issued by the forwarder). For a House AWB, add the HAWB number and the airline issuing the master.

2. Enter the AWB number: Add the 3-digit airline prefix and the 7-digit serial. The check digit is calculated for you (serial modulo 7).

3. Add shipper and consignee: Enter both parties in full, with the shipper's account number if used.

4. Add the issuing carrier's agent: Enter the forwarder or agent, city, IATA code, and account. Name the issuing airline.

5. Fill in routing and flight: Add the airport of departure and destination (3-letter codes), the first carrier, and the flight number and date.

6. Enter the cargo and charges: Add pieces, gross and chargeable weight, rate class and rate, the nature of goods, and the weight charge, valuation, tax, and any other charges as Prepaid or Collect.

7. Sign and check the preview: Add the signatures, date, and place. Confirm the AWB number, weights, and total on the live preview, then download.

How to download your air waybill

1. Choose a format in the toolbar: Click Download PDF, Word, or Excel. PDF is best for the file or the counter, Word for your branding, Excel for the weight and charge math.

2. Enter your email once: The first download asks for your email to unlock all formats. After that, every download on this device is instant.

3. Open in Google Docs or Google Sheets: Prefer Google? Download the Word file and open it in Google Docs, or the Excel file and open it in Google Sheets from your Drive.

4. Print or grab a blank template: Use Print to save as PDF, or download a blank PDF, Word, or Excel IATA air waybill to fill in later.

5. Save a draft to reuse: Click Save draft to keep the AWB in your browser, then load it next time and change only what differs.

Air waybill vs other documents

• Master vs House AWB: The airline issues the MAWB for the consignment; the forwarder issues a HAWB to each shipper under it.

• Bill of lading: The ocean and road equivalent of the AWB. See the bill of lading generator.

• Air freight invoice: The bill for the air shipment's charges, not the transport contract. Use the air freight invoice generator.

• Commercial invoice: States the value of the goods for customs. Use the commercial invoice generator.