When paired with the supporting documents, it can play the role of a freight bill and help with the accounting process. Airway bill is one of the most critical documents presented at the customs clearance desk. It is a legal document containing details about the freight being moved via air. Airway Bills contain a detailed description of the goods that are being moved. It also includes the quantity of the goods as well as the nature of the product.
Since the Airway Bill is legal proof that the carrier has received the goods, it can also be used by the carrier to insure the goods, especially if requested by the supplier. When the freight forwarder receives the goods sent via air cargo from the supplier, they provide the supplier with an airway bill.
It acts as a receipt of delivery, containing details of the cargo as well as the terms and conditions of the transaction. E-AWBs are used in place of traditional Airway Bills to reduce paper usage and cut the processing time and costs.
A total of eight copies of an airway bill is made - each having its purpose and a color-code. The first three copies are known as original bills, while the rest are copies. The AWB number makes it very easy to track the packages and keeps a tab on all the movements along the various trade routes. Alternatively, you can obtain your AWB number from any messages or emails that the company has sent you about your consignment. However, even if you have none of these, you can simply contact the shipping company and ask them for the AWB number of your shipment by answering a few questions and providing them the details of the shipment.
If you want to know the current status of your air cargo, all you have to do is go to the website of your shipping company and input the AWB number of the cargo.
The website will display the latest available tracking report of your shipment along with an estimated time of arrival. It also includes all the details of the cargo's air route.
Exporters, in their early days, often get confused between two documents that are more distinct than they are similar, namely the airway bill and the Bill of Lading BL. One of the reasons for this confusion is that both the documents are legally binding on the parties and contain the shipment details. Here are some of the differences between these documents:. Mode of Transport: AWB is used when cargo is moved via air freight , while the BL is issued when the consignment is to be loaded on a vessel and sent via ocean routes.
Legal Status: The BL is a document of title to goods, meaning it is proof of ownership of the goods. Monday to Friday from to you can speak to our sales team about becoming a FedEx customer or to discuss any existing rate arrangements.
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