An air waybill identifies your air shipment and records its contract of carriage, but it does not provide ownership rights over the goods.
An air waybill is a key transport document when you ship goods by air.
Unlike a bill of lading, it is not a document of title and does not transfer ownership or the right to claim delivery of the goods. Understanding that distinction is important when arranging international shipments.
In this article, we explain what an air waybill is, how it differs from a bill of lading, and what you should review before your goods depart.
An air waybill (AWB) identifies a shipment transported by air and provides evidence of the contract of carriage between the shipper and the airline.
It typically records the parties involved, routing, cargo details, freight terms and handling instructions, and is recognized by the CBSA as an approved cargo control document.
The document may be issued on paper or electronically. Under the electronic air waybill process, or e-AWB, electronic records remove the requirement for a paper air waybill where the process applies.
There are two limitations to keep in mind.
First, the AWB does not replace your commercial invoice, packing list, permits, certificates or customs documents. Each serves a separate purpose, although information describing the shipment should remain consistent across all documents.
Second, an air waybill is non-negotiable and is not a document of title. It does not represent the right to take delivery of the goods in the same way as a negotiable bill of lading.
While an air waybill and a bill of lading both provide evidence of a contract of carriage, they are not interchangeable.
An air waybill is used for air freight. It is non-negotiable, and the original document is generally not required for the carrier to release the cargo to the named consignee.
A bill of lading is most commonly associated with ocean freight. It acknowledges receipt of the goods and provides evidence of the contract of carriage. Depending on the type issued, it may also act as a document of title.
A negotiable bill of lading can be endorsed and transferred to another party, giving that party the right to claim delivery of the goods. An original negotiable bill may therefore be required before the carrier releases the cargo.
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Air waybill |
Bill of lading |
|
Used for air freight |
Commonly used for ocean freight |
|
Non-negotiable |
Can either be negotiable or non-negotiable |
|
Not a document of title |
Certain types can act as documents of title |
|
Does not transfer ownership |
A negotiable bill can transfer rights to the goods |
|
Original is generally not required for release |
An original negotiable bill may be required |
Shipper and consignee details: Verify the shipper and consignee names, addresses, and contact details.
Routing information: Check the departure and destination airports and confirm that they match your booking and shipping instructions.
Package count and weight: Verify the number of pieces, gross weight, and chargeable weight shown on the air waybill against the packing list and shipment details.
Description of the goods: Use a clear and specific cargo description. Avoid broad terms such as “parts,” “samples,” or “equipment” when a more precise description is available.
Supporting documents: Compare the air waybill with your commercial invoice, packing list, and shipping instructions, making sure that information is consistent across all documents.
Special handling requirements: Tell your freight forwarder about dangerous goods, or those that are temperature-controlled, oversized or otherwise regulated, before shipment. These goods may require additional documentation, packaging, labels, or handling instructions.
Carrier liability: Review the carrier’s liability terms. Where the Montreal Convention applies, cargo liability is generally limited by weight unless a higher value is declared and any required supplementary charge is paid. If your shipment’s value exceeds the standard liability limit, consider declaring a higher value or arranging separate cargo insurance.
Cole International provides trade consulting and freight forwarding services to help Canadian businesses manage international shipments and keep goods moving across borders.
Reach out to one of our trade professionals for support preparing the customs documentation required for your air imports into Canada.