An air waybill (AWB) is a transport document issued when goods move by air freight. It works as both a contract of carriage between the shipper and the carrier and a receipt confirming the airline accepted the goods. Unlike a bill of lading in ocean freight, an AWB is not a document of title, so it does not represent ownership of the goods and cannot be traded or endorsed to transfer them.
How it works
Every AWB carries a unique 11-digit number. The first 3 digits are the airline prefix, and the rest identify the specific shipment. That number lets the shipper, consignee, and freight forwarder track the cargo across handoffs. A “master” AWB covers the movement between carriers, while a “house” AWB is issued by a forwarder to the individual shipper when cargo is consolidated with other shipments.
Why it matters
Because the AWB is non-negotiable, the airline releases goods to the named consignee without requiring the original paper document. That makes air shipments faster to clear than ocean freight, but it also means the consignee named on the AWB should be correct and payment terms should be settled separately. The AWB also sets out the carrier’s liability limits and the declared value of the goods.
Where it fits in B2B quoting
When a Shopify merchant quotes freight-inclusive pricing to a wholesale buyer, the AWB number becomes the reference the buyer uses to follow the shipment after they accept and pay. If you quote landed cost, remember the AWB terms (declared value, carrier liability) affect what happens if goods are lost or damaged in transit. You can spell out shipping method and incoterms on the quote itself so there are no surprises once the order converts. See the B2B quoting glossary for related terms like bill of lading and incoterms.