Going Paperless

e-Freight aims to take the paper out of the air cargo supply chain and to replace it with cheaper, more accurate and more reliable electronic messaging.

The e-AWB refers to a transportation contract between a shipper/forwarder and an airline.  With the e-AWB, there is no longer a need to print, handle or archive a paper AWB."
The contract obtains its legal status by an electronic combination of:

• The FWB message sent by the forwarder to the airline;
• The FSU/RCS message sent in return by the airline to the forwarder.

Now you can replace all paper AWBs by the e-AWB.

There are different ways you can send a FWB:
a. Functionality via myCargo: You can send your FWB via Air France - KLM myCargo from June 2019.
b. Via CPS: Air France KLM offers to the customer the possibility to use CPS (Cargo Portal Services). It’s a free portal that will allow you to do your e-Booking and e-AWB/ e-Hawb
c. Other 3rd parties, providing the possibility to send FWB: You can use an IT Solution Provider and use a system that meets your needs, including building and sending FWB and FHL messages. Several tools are available on the market.
d. Via your own IT system: Your system may already have FWB and FHL messages. To find out if it is the case, you can contact your IT department. If this is not the case, your IT department may eventually develop this feature on your current system.

Good to know:

• Forwarders who signed the e-AWB contract, do not have to hand-over a green airline-copy of the AWB for accounting purposes.
• Shipments under an e-AWB contract can be recognized by the special handling code: ECC
• Under the Single Process, a freight forwarder always sends electronic data to the airline and never delivers a paper AWB with the Cargo. The airline determines when a paper AWB needs to be produced based on requirements at destination or transit point and when needed, prints it on behalf of the freight forwarder using the exchanged electronic data."

Want to know more, click here for a brochure about e-AWB

Or visit the FAQ at IATA

For more detailed information about the FWB Creation Tool, please read this PDF.

e-Fast Delivery is the possibility to deliver Cargo at KLM Cargo Schiphol without reporting at the Documentation department. The Forwarder sends the FWB (Cargo Imp version 16) in combination with the e-Link Trip information to the airline. All this information is handled by the internal KLM Cargo systems when the Forwarder presents his ACN card at the gate. A “under water” check will be done by Cargonaut if the shipment is delivered by a known agent/driver, if the shipment is customs cleared at Amsterdam, if the shipment is secure (information from FWB OSI line) and if the shipment is paperless (ECC/EAW). In case these four checks are OK the driver gets the message at the entrance of KLM Cargo that he can go directly to the warehouse to unload the truck.

All information from the FWB will be automatically inserted in Chain (warehouse handling system of KLM Cargo), after acceptance (RCS) of the shipment, the shipment will be forwarded to the warehouse and when a location is inserted the input of the information will be automatically done in Cargoal.

The Forwarder must be connected with e-Link from Cargonaut. The e - Link process is a procedure that ACN, Cargonaut and SmartLOXS have developed in close cooperation with the industry at Schiphol Airport. It provides seamless connections and real time status information to all parties involved in the delivery of export shipments. Simply by connecting the AWB number to the ACN Cargo Card (driver´s ID), shipment statuses and customs and security controls are immediately visible to all concerned.

• Lower costs: the total Airfreight Industry can save up US $ 4.9 billion per year
• Faster supply chain transit times: the ability to send shipment documentation before the cargo itself can reduce the industry cycle times
• Greater accuracy:  allowing electronic data entry at point of origin until RCS reduces delays to shipments due to inaccurate or inconsistent data entry. Electronic documents are less likely to be misplaced, so shipments will no longer be delayed because of missing documentation. This will improve the C2K quality.
• Regulatory compliance: e-freight meets all international and local regulations relating to provision of electronic documents and data required by customs, civil aviation and other regulatory authorities.
• Increased security:  electronic documents are only made available to parties who require them for the completion of a shipment
• Environmentally friendly: e- Freight will eliminate more than 7,800 tons of paper documents. This will also lead to weight reduction on board, which in its turn leads to less CO2 emission.

• Special regulations apply to shipments into the USA. Read the IATA e-Freight start-up information for shipping in or out the USA. Without a signed EDI agreement, an original copy of the air waybill needs to be presented to the ground handling agent.
• External companies are available to help you send documents digitally to your counterpart or final customer at the destination. For example, you could consider the services of CargoNaut (Cargo Pouch) or Champ.
• Should you need more information on the paperless options, please do not hesitate to contact your Customer Support.