The Air Waybill (AWB) is the transport document of air cargo: the carrier’s receipt for your goods and the evidence of the contract of carriage. Unlike the ocean Bill of Lading, the AWB is not negotiable and does not represent ownership of the goods.
How it works
The waybill identifies the shipper, the consignee, the goods and the routing, with a number that tracks the shipment end to end. At destination, the airline releases to the consignee named on the waybill, no original document required: that is why air cargo releases as fast as it lands, and also why the AWB cannot be used to hold the goods as payment security.
Why it matters when importing from China
If you are used to paying the balance against documents, that mechanism does not exist in air freight: once the plane takes off, the goods will reach the consignee whatever the payment status. The security of the operation is solved before departure, with origin inspection and payment terms agreed differently.
The common mistake
Assuming the air waybill behaves like the ocean B/L. It holds no title, cannot be endorsed and is not released against an original. Importers who carry their ocean habits into air freight without adjusting the payment scheme get the surprise with their first difficult supplier.
Does your cargo justify flying? Check our air freight service or ask us to compare it against sea.
