Difference Between Master Air Waybill and House Air Waybill in International Air Freight Exploration and Interpretation

Difference Between Master Air Waybill and House Air Waybill in International Air Freight

With the continuous development of international trade, air transport, as a fast and safe mode of transportation, is increasingly favored by enterprises. In air freight, the air waybill AWB serves as the transportation contract between the shipper and the carrier and has legal effect. To meet the needs of different customers, various types of air waybills have emerged in the international air freight industry, one of which is the international air freight air waybill. The international air freight air waybill is a special type of air waybill, available in two forms master air waybill and house air waybill. So what are the differences between these two forms?

I. Concepts of Master Air Waybill and House Air Waybill

The master air waybill MAWB is the bill of lading for the entire shipment. It is issued by the airline based on the actual shipping situation of the consignor and contains detailed information about all the goods. The house air waybill HAWB refers to the bill of lading issued separately for each shipment, with each HAWB corresponding only to part of the cargo.

II. Differences Between Master Air Waybill and House Air Waybill

1. Responsibility of the Carrier The carrier responsible for the master air waybill assumes responsibility for the entire shipment, while the carrier responsible for the house air waybill is only accountable for the specific shipment it corresponds to.

2. Number of Issuance The master air waybill is issued as one copy, representing the complete set of bills of lading. The carrier will hand over the MAWB to the consignee only after the entire shipment has been dispatched. On the other hand, house air waybills can be issued in quantities corresponding to the actual shipment situation, making them more flexible in terms of quantity.

3. Freight Settlement Method The master air waybill typically adopts a package pricing system, with fees collected uniformly by the airline. In contrast, the house air waybill usually uses the point-of-delivery charge PDC method, where the freight for each HAWB must be settled separately.

4. Risk Control Effect The master air waybill form is conducive to controlling cargo risks, as liability can be traced back according to the information on the MAWB in case of loss or damage to the goods. However, with the house air waybill, there may be situations where it is difficult to clearly define responsibility when part of the goods are lost or damaged.

In summary, the master air waybill and house air waybill of the international air freight differ significantly in terms of carrier responsibility, issuance quantity, freight settlement methods, and risk control effects. In practical operations, enterprises can choose the appropriate bill of lading form based on their own needs and risk preferences. At the same time, to ensure safety and efficiency during transportation, enterprises should also focus on risk control and management in other links, such as packaging, loading and unloading, and handover of goods. For the international air freight industry, as technology develops and markets change, more bill of lading forms may emerge. Enterprises should closely monitor market dynamics to respond to ever-changing transportation demands and market environments.