Airway Bill (AWB) is a document issued by a carrier or its agent when accepting cargo for air transport. It records that the carrier has received the goods, confirms the terms of the transport contract, and accompanies the shipment throughout the journey until delivery to the consignee.

People new to import-export work often confuse the AWB with an ocean bill of lading, or aren’t sure when to use an MAWB versus a HAWB. This article explains the concept, the types of AWB, what appears on the document, and the current legal framework governing air waybills in Vietnam.

1. What Is an Air Waybill? What Does AWB Mean?

An Airway Bill (AWB) is the transport document used for cargo shipped by air. Under Clause 3, Article 57 of Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Law No. 130/2025/QH15 (effective July 1, 2026), air cargo transport must be accompanied by an air waybill; it serves as the transport document and as evidence of the contract’s conclusion, the receipt of the goods, and the terms of carriage — this legal requirement applies specifically to Vietnam.

What Is an Air Waybill (AWB)? Complete A-Z Guide

Real-world example: A garment workshop in Hanoi ships 200kg of fabric samples to a customer in Germany by air. The freight agent issues an AWB listing the shipper, consignee, cargo description, freight charges, and flight number — this document travels with the cargo to Frankfurt Airport and is the basis on which the consignee clears the shipment.

2. Functions of the Air Waybill

An AWB performs two parallel roles. First, it is a receipt confirming the airline accepted the cargo in good external condition and in the declared quantity — the basis for a claim if damage later surfaces. Second, it records the terms agreed between the parties: freight charges, routing, and the carrier’s limits of liability. The back of the AWB typically carries the carrier’s standard conditions of carriage, which apply to every shipment unless the parties agree otherwise.

The information on the AWB (shipper, consignee, cargo description, weight, volume) also lets both the airline and customs authorities process the shipment without re-verifying details from scratch.

3. Types of AWB: MAWB and HAWB

In practice, there are two types of air waybill, distinguished by who issues them.

CriteriaMAWB (Master Airway Bill)HAWB (House Airway Bill)
Issued byThe airlineThe freight forwarder/consolidator
Issued toThe consolidator or a shipper booking directly with the airlineEach individual shipper within a consolidated shipment
ScopeThe entire shipment on a flight, which may include multiple individual shippersSpecific to one shipper’s cargo within the consolidation
Legal relationshipBetween the airline and the consolidatorBetween the consolidator and the individual shipper

Beyond these two main types, there is also the Neutral AWB — a standard form issued by IATA, carrying no airline’s name or logo, used when a consolidator works with multiple airlines.

4. What Information Appears on an Air Waybill

A complete AWB includes the following:

  • AWB number: a unique 11-digit tracking code.
  • Shipper and consignee details: name, address, contact information.
  • Origin and destination airports, and the intended routing.
  • Cargo description: commodity, number of pieces, actual weight, and chargeable weight.
  • Freight charges and payment method: Prepaid or Collect.
  • Issuing carrier’s name and signature.

An AWB set is issued in at least 9 copies: 3 originals (for the carrier, the shipper, and the consignee) plus 6 or more additional copies for other parties involved in the shipment.

5. How Does an AWB Differ From an Ocean Bill of Lading?

The key difference is negotiability. An ocean Order Bill of Lading is a document of title that can be endorsed and transferred between multiple parties before the cargo arrives — which is why ocean bills of lading are commonly used as collateral documents in L/C payments. An AWB works the other way: it is not a document of title and cannot be transferred. Whoever is named in the AWB’s “Consignee” field is the only party entitled to receive the cargo, and that right cannot be endorsed to a third party the way it can with an ocean bill of lading.

Because of this, when payment is made by L/C for an air shipment, the buyer and seller typically need an additional security arrangement (such as a letter of indemnity), and the bank must endorse the back of the AWB so the consignee can claim the goods — an extra step that doesn’t arise with an order ocean bill of lading.

6. AWB Issuance and Use Process

Step 1: The shipper books with the airline or a forwarder

The shipper provides shipment details: weight, volume, and preferred routing.

Step 2: The waybill is issued

If booked directly with the airline, the shipper receives an MAWB. If booked through a consolidating forwarder, the shipper receives a HAWB, while the forwarder holds the MAWB issued by the airline.

Step 3: Cargo is delivered and loaded onto the aircraft

The cargo, along with the original AWB copy for the carrier, is handed over at the airport of departure.

Step 4: Transport and arrival notice

The airline or its agent at the destination airport notifies the consignee once the cargo arrives.

Step 5: Cargo release

The consignee presents the AWB (or corresponding verification details) and completes import customs procedures to claim the goods.

7. Legal Framework Governing Air Waybills in Vietnam

Air waybills in Vietnam are now directly governed by Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Law No. 130/2025/QH15, passed by the National Assembly on December 10, 2025 and effective from July 1, 2026, replacing the entire 2006 Civil Aviation Law (No. 66/2006/QH11) and its earlier amendments.

  • Article 57 (Cargo Transport): establishes the air waybill as a mandatory document for any cargo transport contract, and as evidence of the contract’s conclusion and the receipt of goods.
  • Article 59 (Shipper’s Responsibility for Information): the shipper is responsible for the accuracy of information stated on the waybill; the carrier has no obligation to verify it.
  • Article 60 (Contracting Carrier and Actual Carrier): sets out separate liability between the party that signs the transport contract and the party that actually performs the transport — the legal basis directly relevant to the MAWB/HAWB relationship when a forwarder is involved.

Note: Many documents and articles still in circulation cite Articles 128 and 129 of the 2006 Civil Aviation Law — these provisions under the old Vietnamese law ceased to have effect as of July 1, 2026. The equivalent content now sits in Article 57 of Law No. 130/2025/QH15.

8. When a Carrier May Refuse to Carry Cargo

Under Article 58 of Vietnam’s 2025 Civil Aviation Law, a carrier may refuse to carry cargo in three situations: the goods do not match what was agreed, the shipper fails to comply with the carrier’s packaging, marking, or labeling requirements, or the cargo is refused on national defense or security grounds.

9. Claim Deadlines for Lost or Damaged Cargo

Article 69 of the Law sets the deadlines by which a shipper or consignee must file a written claim before being entitled to sue the carrier:

  • 14 days from the date of receipt, for shortage or damage to the goods.
  • 21 days from the date the goods should have been delivered, if the cargo is lost.
  • 21 days from the date of receipt, for delay in transport.

Missing these deadlines forfeits the right to sue, unless the claimant can show a valid reason or fraud on the carrier’s part. The general limitation period for filing a compensation claim is 2 years under Article 74, counted from the date the aircraft arrived at the destination, the date it should have arrived, or the date transport was terminated — whichever is latest.

10. Real-World Example

A company importing electronic components from South Korea discovered 3 packages missing against the quantity stated on the HAWB upon receiving the shipment at Tan Son Nhat Airport. Because the shortage was caught immediately on receipt, the company filed a written claim with the forwarder within a week — inside the 14-day statutory window — and retained its right to seek compensation. Filing after that deadline could have cost the company its right to claim, even if the carrier was genuinely at fault.

11. Common Mistakes With Air Waybills

Common MistakeConsequenceHow to Avoid It
Mistaking the AWB for a negotiable documentThe AWB cannot be used as collateral or to transfer ownership of the goods the way an ocean bill of lading canConfirm the true nature of the AWB before agreeing on a payment method with your trading partner
Declaring incorrect cargo information on the waybillThe shipper is liable for damages if inaccurate information harms the carrierCarefully cross-check the cargo description, weight, and piece count before signing off on the AWB
Filing a claim after the deadline for lost or damaged cargoLoss of the right to sue for compensationInspect the cargo immediately on receipt and submit a written claim within the 14–21 day statutory window

12. Frequently Asked Questions About Air Waybills

Is an AWB a document of title?
No. An AWB is only a receipt for the goods and evidence of the transport contract — it is not a document of title and cannot be transferred the way an order ocean bill of lading can.

When is an MAWB used versus a HAWB?
An MAWB is issued by the airline to a direct booking party or to a consolidator; a HAWB is issued by the consolidator to each individual shipper within a consolidated shipment.

Is an air waybill legally required?
Yes. Under Clause 3, Article 57 of Vietnam’s 2025 Civil Aviation Law, air cargo transport must be accompanied by an air waybill.

Can a carrier refuse to carry cargo?
Yes, in three situations under Article 58 of the Law: the goods don’t match what was agreed, the shipper fails to meet packaging/marking requirements, or the refusal is on national defense or security grounds.

What is the claim deadline for damaged cargo?
14 days from the date of receipt for shortage or damage, under Article 69 of Vietnam’s 2025 Civil Aviation Law.

Who is liable if information on the AWB is incorrect?
The shipper is responsible for the accuracy of the information provided; the carrier has no obligation to verify it.

How many copies does an AWB have?
At least 9 copies: 3 originals for the carrier, the shipper, and the consignee, plus at least 6 additional copies.

What is the limitation period for filing a compensation claim?
2 years from the date the aircraft arrived at the destination, the date it should have arrived, or the date transport was terminated, whichever is latest.

3W Logistics – Air Cargo Documentation Support

Preparing and handling air waybills correctly helps your shipment avoid unnecessary hurdles during customs clearance or if a claim arises. 3W Logistics works directly with airlines and consolidating agents, supporting businesses from booking through to final delivery.

  • Accurate documentation handling: cross-checking AWB details against the Commercial Invoice and Packing List before the cargo is loaded.
  • Up-to-date legal knowledge: tracking changes in Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Law to advise correctly on each situation that arises.
  • Timely claims support: reminding and helping businesses file claims within the statutory deadline when shipments run into problems.

For support with air waybills or international air cargo shipping, please contact 3W Logistics for advice.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Head Office – 3W Logistics Ho Chi Minh City Branch
Address: 34 Bach Dang, Tan Son Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hotline: +84 28 3535 0087

3W Logistics Hanoi Branch
Address: 81A Tran Quoc Toan, Cua Nam Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hotline: +84 24 3202 0482

3W Logistics Hai Phong Branch
Address: 8A Lot 28 Le Hong Phong, Gia Vien Ward, Hai Phong, Vietnam
Hotline: +84 225 355 5939

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