Master Air Waybill (MAWB)
A Master Air Waybill (MAWB) is the primary air transport document issued by an airline to cover a consolidated shipment. It represents the contract of carriage between the airline and the freight forwarder responsible for the consolidation. The MAWB confirms that the airline has received the cargo and outlines key shipment details such as routing, flight information, and total weight. It sits at the top level of air freight documentation.
In consolidation movements, multiple individual shipments are grouped under one MAWB. While the airline issues the MAWB to the main forwarder, the forwarder issues House Air Waybills (HAWBs) to individual shippers. The MAWB contains summary-level details, while HAWBs hold shipper-specific information. This structure simplifies airline handling and supports efficient cargo processing.
The MAWB is used for tracking, customs filing, and reconciliation between the airline and the forwarder. It is non-negotiable and does not represent ownership of goods. Accuracy in the MAWB is essential to ensure alignment with HAWBs and to avoid clearance delays or data mismatches during transit.
Frequently Asked Questions about Master Air Waybill (MAWB)
Clear answers to the most common questions people have when learning about Master Air Waybill (MAWB).
The airline issues the MAWB to the freight forwarder managing the consolidated air shipment.
The MAWB covers the full consolidated shipment, while HAWBs are issued by the forwarder for individual consignments within that consolidation.
Yes. Customs authorities often reference the MAWB for flight-level and consolidation details during air cargo clearance.