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HAWB

HAWB, or house air waybill, is a freight forwarder’s air waybill for a particular shipper’s consignment, issued as the transport document for goods that are usually included in a consolidated shipment covered by a master air waybill.

In plain English

This is the air transport document a freight forwarder issues for one shipper's consignment. It identifies that specific shipment at the forwarder level, even when the goods are grouped with other cargo in a larger consolidated shipment. The overall consolidated movement is usually covered by a separate master air waybill.

In context

Here, HAWB names the freight forwarder’s air waybill for the particular shipper’s consignment in the shipment file, rather than the master document for the full consolidation.

Situation
Coordinating freight quotes, booking, consolidation, handoff, and transport documents
What it communicates
names the forwarder-level air document in the shipment file.

Meaning limits

By itself, the term does not identify the master air waybill or define anything beyond the particular shipper’s consignment it covers.

Examples

“The forwarder issued a HAWB for the exporter’s cartons and put the whole consolidation under a separate master air waybill.”

Core meaning

“File the HAWB with that shipper’s consignment, not with the master air waybill for the consolidated load.”

In context

  • air waybill Broader Term

    A HAWB is a more specific kind of air waybill.

  • master air waybill Contrast

    A HAWB covers one shipper's consignment, while a master air waybill covers the consolidated shipment.