Types of AWB: Master, House and Electronic AWBs Explained

As you learn about air freight, you’ll encounter different kinds of AWBs. The three most commonly discussed are the Master AWB (MAWB), the House AWB (HAWB), and the electronic AWB (e-AWB). Understanding these types helps clarify who is responsible for the shipment, how consolidated cargo is documented, and how modern digital processes simplify handling.

Master AWB (MAWB)

The Master AWB is issued by the airline or the airline’s agent and covers a flight’s carriage contract with the party arranging air transport—often a freight forwarder or consolidator. The MAWB details the overall consignment moving under the airline’s contract and carries the airline’s 3-digit prefix in the AWB number (for example, 618-12345678).

Common situations for MAWB:

• When a freight forwarder consolidates multiple shippers’ goods into one consignment for the airline, the airline issues a single MAWB for the combined load.
• The MAWB is the document the airline references for carriage, weight, liability and handling instructions at the airline’s facilities.

House AWB (HAWB)

A House AWB is issued by a freight forwarder to the individual shipper for their specific shipment that is part of a consolidated MAWB. The HAWB contains detailed information about the shipper, consignee and goods and operates as the contract between the shipper and the forwarder—not between the shipper and the airline.

How MAWB and HAWB work together (example):

• A small exporter in Vietnam books with a freight forwarder to send multiple small cartons to several buyers in Europe. The forwarder issues a HAWB to each shipper for their individual goods. The forwarder consolidates all those shipments into a single pallet and the airline issues a MAWB to cover the whole pallet for carriage between Vietnam and Europe.
• If the consignee needs to claim for damage or delay, they typically deal with the forwarder using the HAWB. The airline’s liability is tied to the MAWB.

Key differences between MAWB and HAWB:

1. The MAWB is between the airline and the forwarder (or direct shipper), while the HAWB is between the forwarder and the individual shipper/consignee.
2. MAWB numbers use the airline’s prefix; HAWB numbers are assigned by the forwarder and follow the forwarder's numbering system.
3. For consolidated shipments, the MAWB controls routing with the airline, while HAWBs control the contractual relationship involving customer-specific details.

Electronic AWB (e-AWB)

The e-AWB is simply the electronic representation of the AWB. Endorsed by IATA, the e-AWB removes the need for paper air waybills in routes and markets where it is accepted. The e-AWB keeps the same data content and legal meaning as the paper AWB but is exchanged digitally between carriers, forwarders and customs systems.

Benefits of e-AWB:

• Faster processing and fewer human errors caused by manual entry.
• Lower paperwork handling and storage costs.
• Improved data integrity and easier integration with tracking and customs systems.

Practical considerations:

• Not all countries and airlines accept e-AWB in every scenario—paper AWB may still be required for regulatory or origin/destination reasons.
• When using a forwarder, confirm whether they will issue a HAWB and whether the airline will issue a MAWB—knowing which document to reference speeds up claims and customs clearance.
• Always note the AWB prefix and full number: the MAWB prefix identifies the airline and is used by airline systems for operational handling, while the HAWB is useful when contacting your forwarder about a specific shipper’s goods within a consolidated shipment.

Other variations and copies:

• Some AWBs are issued with multiple copies for different stakeholders: carrier, shipper, consignee, and customs agents.
• Airlines may issue special AWB formats for dangerous goods or perishable items that include additional handling fields.

In friendly terms, think of the MAWB as the airline’s ticket for a big combined parcel, the HAWB as the individual boarding pass for each passenger inside that parcel, and the e-AWB as the digital version of both tickets stored and shared online. Knowing which AWB you’re looking at helps you know who to contact and what actions to take if something goes wrong.