How to Interpret an Air Waybill

How to Read an Air Waybill

The air waybill is one of the most important documents in the air transport process. It serves not only as proof of ownership of the goods but also as a reflection of the transportation contract among the consignor, carrier, and consignee. During the issuance, handover, and settlement of the air waybill, some key points need to be noted to ensure the smooth progress of the transportation process.

Firstly, the air waybill should be clear and easy to understand. It should include basic information such as the name, quantity, and destination of the goods, as well as key information like the carrier, consignee, loading port, and destination port. At the same time, it should have a clearly stated date of issue and validity period, along with the signature or seal of the carrier.

Secondly, the air waybill should be issued by a qualified airline or freight forwarding company. When selecting a carrier, consider its reputation and transportation capacity to ensure safe transportation of the goods. Additionally, it’s necessary to understand the carrier's transportation terms and fee situation for reasonable freight settlement.

During air transport, goods may be affected by uncontrollable factors such as weather and traffic control, leading to delays or changes in transportation times. In such cases, the carrier should promptly notify the consignor and take appropriate remedial measures. The consignor should maintain communication with the carrier to timely understand the status of the cargo transportation.

Recently, some airlines have caused disputes due to flight delays or cancellations. These disputes mainly arise because the carrier did not timely notify the consignor of the transportation status of the goods or failed to transport according to the contract. To avoid similar disputes, the consignor should sign a clear transportation contract with the carrier, specifying the rights and obligations of both parties.

The air waybill also involves some special terms and fees, such as surcharges and fuel surcharges. These fees result from changes in the air transport market, and carriers will explain them in advance on the waybill. The consignor should understand these fee details when signing the contract to facilitate reasonable freight settlement.

In summary, the air waybill is one of the important documents in the air transport process, requiring attention to key points during its issuance, handover, and settlement. When reading the air waybill, attention should be paid to whether it is clear and understandable, whether there is a clearly stated date and validity period, whether the carrier has the qualification, and whether the transportation status of the goods was timely notified. At the same time, it is necessary to understand the specific details of special terms and fees for reasonable freight settlement.

The above is for reference only. You can refer to other relevant materials to learn about the use and precautions of the air waybill. If you have any questions, you can consult the staff of the airline or freight forwarding company.