In air cargo , filling in an air waybill is not that much complicated process, it can be easy if you understand when to fill in and what kind of information must be typed in each single box of AWB. If this I your first time reading my articles, I suggest that you read my previous articles which give you a basic air cargo skill. My previous articles include IATA traffic conference areas, calculating chargeable weight, and air waybill basic information. In the future, I will write about international air fright rates calculating and my articles will be in separate lessons.
You my heard that an air waybill is considered a non-negotiable document, that's true, this means not open for debate or modification. It can refer to the price of a good or security that is firmly established and cannot be adjusted, or a part of a contract or deal that is considered a requirement by one or both involved parties. Additionally, the term can relate to a good or security whose ownership is not easily transferable from one party to another.
I will explain to you the completion process of paper air waybill. To facilitate this, I will divide the airway bill format to three parts [ IATA Cargo Service Conference Resolutions 600a].
Do you remember the air waybill meaning?
The air waybill is a document which shall be either an air waybill referred to as an “airline air waybill”, with preprinted issuing carrier identification, or an air waybill referred to as a “neutral air waybill” without preprinted identification of the issuing carrier in any form and used by other than an air carrier.
It is the most important document issued by a carrier either directly or through its authorized agent. It is a contract- a legal document between a shipper and carrier detailing the type, quantity, and destination of goods being shipped.
However, for it to be a valid contract, the AWB has to be signed by the shipper or his agent and by the carrier or its authorized agent. Although the same individual or organization may act on behalf of both the carrier and the shipper, the air waybill must be signed twice one each in the respective carrier and shipper boxes. Both signatures may be of the same person. This also implies that the air waybill should be issued immediately upon receipt of the goods and letter in instructions from the shipper.
Step by Step filling of a Paper Air Waybill
Air waybill (AWB) can be completed either manually by typewriter or by computer. Well filled air waybill (AWB) may prevent delays and inconvenience.
Now I will give you a full details example:
Shipment Details
Carrier Name: Delta Airlines
Shipper Details : XYZ Trading ltd
Tel +962 6-xxxxxxxxx
Al-Shmaisani
Amman - Jordon
Consignee Details: ABC Trading ltd
Tel +1 617 xxxxxxxx \
Beacon Street.
Boston , Massachusetts,
United States
Air Cargo Agent Name : Aviation Professional Logistics , Amman
Sector (Routing) : Amman (AMM) (Jordon) to
Boston (BOS)- United State
Commodity : Stationary
No of pieces : 1 box
Gross weight : 24.7 kgs
Dimensions : 40 x 40 x 40 cm x 1
Payment : All charges prepaid
Applicable rate : GCR N JOD 5.38 Per kg
Chargeable weight : 25 kgs
Note : from Amman to Boston air cargo rate per kilo is normal rate = 5.38 JOD, more than 45 quantity rate.
Weight charge : 25 kgs × JOD 5.38 = JOD 134.5
Minimum charge : JOD 40.300
Let us fill the air waybill together
Part 1 : Shipper And Consignee Details
Nice, have a look at air waybill format, part 1.
I will fill in the basic information, I will write another article containing more information about multi usage practices of air waybill.
| Box number | Title | What to fill in |
| 1 | Airline Code Number | Insert ‘006’ |
| 2 | Airport of Departure | Enter the three-letter code of the Airport of departure |
| 3 | Air Waybill Number | Enter the eight-digit –Delta Air Waybill number (12345678 - including the Mod-7 check digit) Note : It is used for delta freight tracking 006-12345678 |
Then we move to fill in the shipper details and the consignee details, including Delta Airlines' agent details
| Box number | Title | What to fill in |
| 4 | Shipper information | The shipper’s name, address, city, postal code, country and telephone number |
| 5 | Consignee information | The consignee’s name, address, city, postal code, country and telephone number |
| 6 | Issuing Carrier’s Agent | The Carrier’s Agent name and address |
| 7 | Agents IATA Code | Enter the IATA/Cass code (as applicable) |
| 8 | Account Number | Enter the Delta Airlines' Account number (as applicable) |
| 43 | Accounting information | Only accounting information required by the participation carriers such as payment by cheque, bill of loading etc. |
The example: complete air waybill format – Part 1
We finished the first part, let us move to second one to fill in flight route and carrier's information
Part 2: flight Route and Carriers Details
Good job, have a look at air waybill format, part 2.
The shipment will be shipped through the direct flying route from Amman to Boston by delta airlines. The payment method is cash in Jordanian currency ( JOD) and there is no declared value for carriage or declared value for customs and no Amount of Insurance.
| Box number | Title | What to fill in |
| 9 | Airport of Departure | Enter the name of the departure airport (and requested routing if applicable) |
| 10 | To (by first carrier) | The Destination Airport code, or that of the first transfer airport |
| 11 | By first carrier | Enter the name of the first carrier (full name or two-digit code) |
| 12 | To (by second carrier) | The Destination Airport code, or that of the second transfer point |
| 13 | By (second carrier) | Enter the two-digit carrier code for the second carrier |
| 14 | Currency code | Enter the ISO three-letter currency code applicable to the AWB |
| 15 | Charges Codes | Enter ‘PX’ for prepaid on account, or ‘PP’ for prepaid cash |
| 16 | Weight/Valuation Charges | Insert ‘X’ in the PPD field |
| 17 | Other Charges | Insert ‘X’ in the PPD field (as appropriate) |
| 18 | Declared Value for Carriage | Enter ‘NVD’ |
| 19 | Declared Value for Customs | The declared value for customs. If no value declared, enter ‘NCV’ or leave blank |
| 20 | Airport of Destination | Enter the name of the destination airport |
| 21 | Amount of Insurance | Enter ‘XXX’ |
The example: complete air waybill format – Part 2
Part 3 : shipment information and calculation of international air freight rates
Perfect, have a look at air waybill format, part 3.
Do you still remember the shipment information?
The commodity is stationary, 1 box, 24.7 kgs gross weight, Dimensions 40 x 40 x 40 cm x 1, GCR Normal Rate JOD 5.38 per Kilo is the applicable air freight rate and chargeable weight after rounding is 25 kgs.
Before we start filling in the part 3, do you think we need to mention the dimensions in the air waybill?
Of course, no, because the gross weight is higher for this reason, we take it as chargeable weight. If the volumetric weight is higher, we will take it and mention it on the Nature and Quantity of Goods box.
Now, we can begin.
| Box number | Title | What to fill in |
| 22 | Handling Information | Only clear and concise information as required by the carriers shall be inserted (Please notify Mr.xxxxxx while arrival mobile xxxxxxxx |
| 23 | Number of Pieces | Enter the number of pieces |
| 24 | Gross Weight | Insert the Gross weight of the pieces for the applicable rate-line. |
| 25 | Weight indicator | Enter ‘K’ |
| 26 | Rate Class | Enter one of the following codes (as appropriate): ‘M’ – Minimum charge ‘N’ – Normal Rate ‘Q’ – Quantity Rate ‘C’ – Specific Commodity Rate ‘R’ – Class Rate Reduction ‘S’ – Class Rate Surcharge ‘U’ – ULD, basic charge or Rate ‘E’ – ULD, additional (Pivot) Rate ‘X’ – ULD, additional information |
| 27 | Commodity Item Number | Complete this box as follows: § When an SCR code applies, enter the 4-digit code (applicable to ‘C’ and ‘U’ rate class only) § When a Class Rate Surcharge or Reduction applies, enter the percentage adjustment preceded by the Rate Class to which it applies (e.g. A 50% reduction on the Normal shall be expressed by N50) § When a ULD(s) Rate applies, enter the ULD Rate Class type |
| 28 | Chargeable Weight | Insert the chargeable weight applicable to the rate-line |
| 29 | Rate/Charge | Enter the applicable Rate or Charge |
| 30 | Total | Enter the total charge applicable to each rate-line |
| 31 | Nature and Quantity of Goods | Complete this box as follows: § Enter the description of the goods as applicable for each rate-line § Enter the dimensions of the goods (not applicable for cargo in intact ULD(s)). If the dimensions are not known, insert ‘No Dimensions Available’ § When a ULD(s) is used, the ULD identifier(s) (e.g. PMC12345NZ) shall be inserted on the ‘X’ rate-line § For ULD-loaded consignments; when the number of pieces indicated in box 23 is different from the actual number of pieces, the actual number of pieces shall be shown as “…SLAC” (shipper’s load and count). This should be shown on a blank line immediately above its corresponding ULD identifier (‘X’) line |
| 32 | Total Number of pieces | If there is more than one rate-line, enter the sum of the number of pieces |
| 33 | Total Gross Weight | If there is more than one rate-line, enter the sum of the Gross weight |
| 34 | Total (Charges) | If there is more than one rate-line, enter the sum Total (Weight) Charges |
Do not worry, there is some details I mentioned above, but it is not related to our example in this article. It will be covered by another article in the future.
The example: complete air waybill format – Part 3
Step 4 : fill in the other charges detail & Signatures
Excellent, have a look at air waybill format, part 4.
In addition to the air freight rate, there is other charges but will not be covered in this article.
Let us continue.
| Box number | Title | What to fill in |
| 35 | Prepaid Weight Charge | Transpose the Total Weight Charges into this box |
| 36 | Other Charges due Agent | Enter any ‘other charges’ due Agent. These should be specified in the box to the right using correct codes |
| 37 | Other Charges due Carrier | Enter any ‘other charges’ due Carrier. These should be specified in the box to the right using correct codes |
| 38 | Total Prepaid Amount | Enter the sum total of the Air Waybill charges |
| 39 | Shipper’s certification | Signature of the shipper or his agent (printed, signed or stamped) |
| 40 | Execution Date | Enter the execution date for the AWB in sequence day, month (alphabetical) & year. (Month can be abbreviated) |
| 41 | At (place) | Insert the place of AWB execution (Airport or City) |
| 42 | Issuing Carrier or Agent | Enter the signature of the issuing Agent |
The example: complete air waybill format – Part 4
We finish filling the air waybill
Conclusion
In international carriage, it must be one individual air waybill for each consignment unless a shipment record is to be created (master air waybill with house air waybills manifest). Also, no carrier shall execute the air waybill or carry any part of a consignment until the complete consignment has been received. it is about aviation security and shipping good practices.
Air waybill is the most important shipping document. It is a contract- a legal document between a shipper and carrier detailing the type, quantity, and destination of goods being shipped. However, for it to be a valid contract, the AWB has to be filled correctly, then signed by the shipper or his agent and by the carrier or its authorized agent.
Thank you for reading