e-AWB: Convenience and efficiency
e-Air Waybill (e-AWB) is a convenient service that allows electronic completion of an AWB, similar to e-freight. The only difference is that the requirement of printing, handling and archiving of the paper AWB at the point of origin is not required.
To experience the benefits of e-AWB, you as an agent/freight forwarder need to sign a bilateral agreement (e-AWB EDI agreement) with us, which will cover the “conditions of contract” of the AWB. This way, there is no requirement to produce an AWB copy at the point of origin.
The process flow is almost identical to e-freight, except that an e-AWB/EDI agreement is mandatory for e-AWB. e-freight shipments can still be sent without having an e-AWB/EDI agreement and it is also possible to achieve both, e-freight and e-AWB together.
Currently e-AWB shipments are identified by the special handling code ‘ECC’, which is a required entry by the agent/freight forwarder on the AWB/FWB or on skycargo.com. As of January 2012, the e-AWB process will be part of e-freight on all e-freight trade lanes.
The benefits of e-AWB
e-AWB reduces the processing cost while ensuring greater data accuracy. As a result, the delay in cargo handling is reduced and you have real-time access to AWB information when required. Most importantly, there is no longer a need to file and store paper AWB.
The e-AWB process
To begin the process, the forwarder and airline sign an e-AWB EDI agreement. The forwarder sends an FWB electronic message to the airline, prior to tendering the shipment. After the forwarder tenders the shipment to the airline, the latter accepts the shipment as “Ready for Carriage”, without paper and sends an FSU/RCS electronic message to the forwarder, concluding the cargo contract. The airline provides the forwarder with a cargo receipt (paper document) as proof of contract, in case of need.
e-AWB usage
- e-AWB can be used between origin and destination countries that have both ratified the same international treaty, either MP4 or MC99
- Local customs authority who ask for the AWB must accept e-AWB or a printout of e-AWB in lieu of a paper AWB
- e-AWB can be used in at least all the locations (countries) where IATA e-freight is already implemented
Differences between e-freight and e-AWB
| e-freight | model EDI agreement |
|---|
| 1) Special Handling Codes:
| 1) Special Handling Code: ECC |
| 2) e-freight can only be used on “IATA Approved e-freight trade lanes | 2) e-AWB can be used on non e-freight trade lanes as well |
| 3) No e-AWB agreement needs to be signed | 3) e-AWB agreement can be signed locally or globally
4) Only excludes the paper AWB at point of origin
5) Represents a contract between forwarder and airline |
