E-freight is the dematerialization and the digitalization of all the transport documents of shipment. The purpose is to set up an end-to-end paperless process for the whole supply chain industry. Paper documents are replaced by electronic messages (FWB for Master Airway Bill, FHL for House Airway Bill, invoices...) This e-freight project is supported by IATA and by all players in the Air Freight industry.
E-AWB is possible for every destination and product except Charges Collect or Letter of Credit shipments. Ensure to provide all other necessary paper documents as DGD, veterinary …
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.
Faster supply chain
Faster supply chain transit times: the ability to send electronic document before the cargo itself can reduce the industry cycle times.
Cost savings
Lower costs: the total Airfreight Industry can save up US $ 4.9 billion per year.
Greater accuracy
Greater accuracy: allowing electronic data entry at point of origin until RCS reduces delays to shipments due to inaccurate or inconsistent data entry.
Increased security
Increased security: electronic documents are only made available to parties who require them for the completion of a shipment.
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.
Environment friendly
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.
The Multilateral e-AWB Agreement provides the Legal framework for parties to conclude cargo contracts by electronic means.
Sign it online: https://www.formstack.com/forms/iata-multilateral
More details and FAQ: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/e/eawb/multilateral/
There are different ways to send a FWB:
A mandatory step to become an e-Freight customer is to fill in the e-AWB Activation Request Form.
This form can only be sent after making sure to have fulfilled the conditions of steps 1 and 2.
Once you have been activated in our systems as an e-AWB customer, you can send FWB and FHL messages and deliver your shipments without MAWB and HAWB document paper.
For destinations that may require a paper AWB copy, according to the IATA Single process, the AFKL Operations will print an e-AWB PDF copy and send it to the final destination.
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E-AWB is possible for every destination and product except Charges Collect or Letter of Credit shipments. Ensure to provide all other necessary paper documents as DGD, veterinary … (but no paper AWB). Please insert the proper special handling code according to the delivery: -EAP for a shipment delivered with some accompanying paper document (paper pouch, DGD …)-EAW for a shipment delivered without any paper document. |
After having made your booking, you will send FWB / FHL messages. When you use e-AWBs, you never need to print a paper AWB (referring to the IATA Single process in the FAQ). The e-AWB will update the operational systems of the airline. It will become the contract of carriage upon delivery of the cargo, when the airline sends the message Received from Shipper (RCS).
The FMA is an acknowledgment message from AFKL, sent to the sender of the FWB/FHL. It means that AFKL has received your message in its system. Then, you can deliver your goods to AFKL. (If you want to receive an acknowledge of receipt through FMA message, please contact our e-freight service.)
The FNA is a rejection message from AFKL system. It indicates a syntax/content error in the FWB/FHL message. You need to correct/modify the FWB/FHL and send it back. The error message specifies the segment name (example: RTD) and describes the error (example: Invalid or missing rate description details - AWB rate line number).
