The transport document for all air cargo — your AWB number is how you track every air freight shipment from origin airport to destination.
An air waybill (AWB) is the contract of carriage for air freight shipments. Issued by the airline or freight forwarder, it serves as proof that the carrier has accepted the goods for transport and commits to delivering them to the named consignee. Unlike a sea bill of lading, an AWB is always non-negotiable — it names a specific consignee and cannot be transferred. The AWB number (11 digits) is the primary tracking reference for the entire air freight journey. Cargosender integrates carrier tracking so you can follow your AWB status in your order dashboard.
An 11-digit IATA-standardised number: 3-digit airline prefix + 8-digit serial number. Example: 020-12345678 (020 = Lufthansa). Used to track cargo across all airline systems.
The IATA airport code for the origin airport (e.g. LIS for Lisbon, OPO for Porto).
The IATA code for the destination airport. May include transfer airports for multi-leg journeys.
Full name and address of the exporter. Also includes their account number if they have a contract with the airline.
Full name, address, and phone number of the recipient. The airline contacts them on arrival.
A description of the cargo, number of pieces, and gross weight. Must match the commercial invoice.
Either the actual gross weight or the volumetric weight (whichever is greater). This is what you are billed for by the airline.
The customs value of the goods. Must match the commercial invoice value.
Special handling codes for dangerous goods (DGR), perishables (PER), valuable cargo (VAL), or live animals (AVI).
Through Cargosender or directly with an airline or freight forwarder. Provide origin/destination airports, cargo dimensions, weight, and commodity description.
Submit the shipper and consignee details, cargo description, and declared value. The forwarder uses these to create the AWB accurately.
Deliver cargo to the airline cargo terminal with the AWB number and commercial invoice. The airline checks the cargo matches the AWB and confirms weight.
Once the cargo departs, use the 11-digit AWB number on the airline's website or Cargosender's tracker to follow the shipment at each transit point.
The consignee or their customs broker uses the AWB number and commercial invoice to clear customs on arrival. After clearance, cargo is released for delivery.
Airlines charge based on chargeable weight = the higher of actual weight or volumetric weight (L×W×H in cm ÷ 6000 for standard cargo). Always calculate both before booking to avoid billing surprises.
Airlines contact the consignee by phone when cargo arrives. A wrong or missing number causes delays at the destination cargo terminal.
When tracking, use the House AWB (issued by your forwarder) on your forwarder's system and the Master AWB (airline number) on the airline's tracking portal. They are different.
Shipping restricted items (lithium batteries, aerosols, liquids over limits) without proper DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulations) documentation leads to cargo rejection and possible fines.
A bill of lading (B/L) is used for sea and road freight and can be negotiable (transferable). An air waybill is always non-negotiable and names a specific consignee. The AWB cannot be used as a document of title to transfer ownership of goods while in transit — it is purely a transport document and receipt.
Enter your 11-digit AWB number on the airline's cargo tracking website (e.g. cargo.dhl.com, www.fedex.com/freight, etc.). If you booked through Cargosender, you can track the AWB status directly from your Cargosender order dashboard.
A Master AWB (MAWB) is issued by the airline to the freight forwarder and covers the consolidated cargo. A House AWB (HAWB) is issued by the freight forwarder to the individual shipper and covers their specific goods within the consolidation. The shipper receives the HAWB number; the MAWB is the airline's reference.
An AWB is issued in a set of at least 8 copies: 3 originals (airline, shipper, consignee) and 5 copies for operational use (delivery agent, extra airline copy, customs copies, etc.). Unlike a sea B/L, AWB originals do not need to be surrendered to release cargo — the consignee is named directly.
Yes. Because the AWB is non-negotiable, the airline releases cargo directly to the named consignee on arrival, without needing an original document. The consignee just needs to provide identification and customs clearance documents.
Airlines require cargo to be delivered to the cargo terminal (with AWB and documents) before a cut-off time — typically 2–4 hours before the flight departs. Missing the cut-off means your cargo goes on the next available flight.
Cargosender generates your shipping documents automatically when you book. Compare DHL, UPS, FedEx, DPD and GLS rates — all paperwork included.