Cargo · June 3, 2026
Understanding Airway Bill (AWB) in International Shipping
Airway Bill (AWB) is a document containing all details about goods transported via air cargo. Read this article to learn about the functions and types of AWB!
Most people making their first export will choose air transport over sea transport, especially because air transport is faster.
Sea shipping takes more than 8 days to deliver, while air shipping can deliver products in just 5-7 days.
Air transport is also recommended if you are doing consolidated shipping and shipping costs are less than the price of the goods.
Whatever the mode of transport, international shipping requires legal documentation, including air shipping. One of the important documents in air cargo shipping is the Airway Bill.
Simply put, AWB is also called a shipping receipt.
What is an Airway Bill? Its difference with Bill of Lading, and what are its types? Everything will be discussed in detail in the article below!
What is Airway Bill (AWB)?
Airway Bill is a document included with cargo that will be shipped by any international airline.
In addition to being used as a package tracking method, Airway Bill also serves as proof of receipt by the airline and a contract between the operator partner and the shipping company.
In Law No. 1 of 2009 concerning Aviation, Article 1 paragraph 28 states in detail that AWB as a document in printed form, through electronic process, or other form, which is proof of the existence of an air transport agreement between the cargo sender and the carrier, and the right of the cargo recipient to take the cargo.
As of December 30, 2014, through the regulation of the Directorate General of Taxes, Airway Bill status is now equated with a tax invoice.
This is so that there are various documents to supplement the tax invoice by the government. Some reasons why Airway Bill is equated with a tax invoice are as follows:
- Sales invoices used by business owners are widely known by the public.
- There are certain documents used in the case of export and import of taxable goods in tangible form.
- For tax collection evidence, there must be a tax invoice, while the party that should create the tax invoice (the party that submits taxable goods or taxable services), is outside the customs area.
For online business people, AirWay Bill becomes a daily occurrence in running the business. Because, this is an important matter to monitor the products sold until they are safely in the hands of consumers.
Airway Bill Components
Like receipts or other documents, Airway bill (AWB) or Air Waybill has several components that represent certain information.
Governed by Law No.1 of 2009 concerning Aviation, an AWB must contain at least the following components:
- Date and place where the air waybill is created.
- Place of departure and destination.
- Name and address of the first carrier.
- Name and address of the goods/cargo shipper.
- Name and address of the goods/cargo recipient.
- Quantity, packaging method, special marks (whether goods are fragile or not), or existing cargo number.
- Quantity, weight, size, or dimension of cargo,
- Type or kind of cargo shipped (food, raw materials, etc.).
- Declaration that cargo transportation is subject to provisions and laws.
Some cargo also include additional information that usually contains charges or fees such as weight surcharge, tax, currency, or even insurance information.
Read: List of Documents for Heavy Goods and Cargo Shipping
What is the Difference Between Airway Bill and Bill of Lading?
Bill of Lading and Airway Bill have similar functions, but there are some things that differentiate them.
Shipping Mode
Bill of Lading is used as documentation for cargo loaded on ships and shipped via sea route. While Airway Bill (AWB) is used when shipment is made via air route.
Legal Proof
Bill of Lading is proof of ownership of goods shipped. On the other hand, Airway Bill does not guarantee ownership of cargo, but only proof of goods shipment.
Number of Copies
Bill of Lading consists of a set of 6 copies, three of which are originals and three are copies. On the other hand, Airway Bill consists of a set of 8 copies. Of these 8, only the first three are originals and the rest are copies.
What is the Function of Airway Bill?
AWB does not have just one or two functions, but many roles in international shipping, including:
Proof of Shipment/Receipt
Airway bill is issued by the air cargo carrier as valid proof that all goods mentioned in the shipping bill have been received. AWB will be useful if there is loss or dispute of stolen goods.
Detailed Information of Both Parties
AWB contains information about physical address, website address, email address, and contact numbers of the shipper and carrier.
Customs Declaration
Airway Bill is an important document in terms of customs clearance at foreign borders. AWB is a document that is proof of cargo shipped by air and customs collects the appropriate tax.
Shipment Tracking
Each airline has its own airway bill number. If you want to track your international shipment, use the AWB number on the operator's website.
Security
AWB is also used as proof of insurance in some cases by the carrier, especially if security guarantees are requested from the shipper.
Types of Airway Bill
Generally, there are two types of Airway Bill:
Master Airway Bill (MAWB)
Master Airway Bill (MAWB) is a type of airway bill used to send consolidated or bulk packages via air transport. This bill is curated and shipped by the operator company.
MAWB contains details of air transport such as the type of cargo to be transported, its shipping terms and conditions, the route taken, the contents involved and much more.
House Airway Bill (HAWB)
House Airway Bill (HAWB) is also used for consolidated shipments, the document will include additional details of the last leg such as package delivery receipt and terms and conditions of the shipping transaction.
Conclusion
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has required all commercial airlines to issue Airway Bills as a preventive measure against disputes during cargo transit.
There are many components to consider in preparing a shipment. If managing Airway Bill documents makes you overwhelmed, we have a solution for you.
ABC Express is ready to help our customers at every step through the shipping process, including all shipping documents that are organized and easy to maintain, so you can focus on running your business better.
Contact ABC Express Our team is ready and willing to answer any questions you have and ship your goods.
