09-06-2025
In the world of air freight shipping, two key terms often cause confusion: MAWB (Master Air Waybill) and HAWB (House Air Waybill). While both are essential documents in the shipping process, they serve distinct purposes. In this guide, we'll explore the differences between MAWB and HAWB and how they impact the logistics of air freight shipping.
What is MAWB (Master Air Waybill)?
The Master Air Waybill (MAWB) is a crucial document issued by the airline or its agent. It serves as a contract of carriage and a receipt for the goods. The MAWB covers the entire shipment from the origin to the destination airport and contains essential details such as the shipper's and consignee's information, description of goods, and terms of carriage.
What is HAWB (House Air Waybill)?
A House Air Waybill (HAWB), on the other hand, is issued by a freight forwarder to the shipper or consignee. It is used to document a specific part of the shipment that is not covered by the MAWB. The HAWB contains details similar to the MAWB but is specific to the particular consignment it covers.
Differences Between MAWB and HAWB
- Issuing Authority: The MAWB is issued by the airline, while the HAWB is issued by the freight forwarder.
- Scope of Coverage: The MAWB covers the entire shipment, while the HAWB covers only a specific part of the shipment.
- Number of Copies: Typically, there is only one original MAWB, but there can be multiple copies of the HAWB, depending on the number of consignees or destinations.
- Responsibility: The airline is responsible for the entire shipment covered by the MAWB, while the freight forwarder is responsible for the part of the shipment covered by the HAWB.
How MAWB and HAWB are Used in Air Freight Shipping?
- MAWB Issuance: The airline issues the MAWB to the shipper or its agent.
- HAWB Issuance: The freight forwarder issues the HAWB to cover the specific part of the shipment.
- Consolidation: The airline consolidates multiple shipments under one MAWB for efficiency.
- De-consolidation: The freight forwarder de-consolidates the shipment and issues individual HAWBs for each consignment.
- Delivery: The airline transports the consolidated shipment to the destination airport, where the individual consignments are separated and delivered to their respective consignees.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between MAWB and HAWB is essential for anyone involved in air freight shipping. While the MAWB covers the entire shipment and is issued by the airline, the HAWB covers a specific part of the shipment and is issued by the freight forwarder. By knowing the roles of these documents, you can ensure smooth and efficient air cargo shipping operations.
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