e-AWB

The e-Air Waybill (e-AWB) is the electronic successor of the paper Air Waybill. Effective 1 January 2019, IATA announced that the e-AWB would become the default contract of carriage for all air cargo shipments on enabled trade lanes. The e-AWB is a key step for e-freight to succeed and therefore reach a paperless supply chain process, saving you time and money. So why not go paperless with e-AWB and benefit optimally in your shipping process?

This process can be quickly and easily implemented. We can provide you with all the information you will need to succeed in the transition, including the Activation Form to be submitted to become an e-AWB customer with AFKLMP Cargo.

If you have any questions, please refer to the FAQs, download our detailed brochure or contact our e-freight team: mail.efreight@airfrance.fr.

Click here to register as e-AWB customer!

e-AWB principle

The e-AWB is the dematerialisation of the Master Air Waybill (AWB), which is replaced by an electronic message called the FWB. The House Air Waybill (HAWB) can also be dematerialised using the electronic FHL message.
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 (legal transfer of responsibility of the shipment between the forwarder and the airline).
E-AWB is possible for every destination and product except Charges Collect and Letter of Credit shipments. Please always be sure to provide all other necessary paper documentation such as the Dangerous Goods Declaration, veterinary certificates, etc.

Importance of high-quality e-AWB data

The electronic Air Waybill (e-AWB) has supplanted the traditional paper Air Waybill (AWB) as the legally binding transportation contract. Consequently, it is imperative that the data quality of the e-AWB matches that of its paper-based predecessor. Superior data quality is vital for fully realising the benefits of a paperless cargo journey and ensures a seamless acceptance process upon delivery of the shipment.

Improving data quality with MIP 2.0

Enhancing the accuracy and completeness of your data will significantly boost the operational efficiency of e-AWB shipments. We are committed to helping you achieve the highest standards of e-AWB data quality. Ensuring that FWB data is both accurate and comprehensive is crucial for maintaining smooth and efficient shipment processes. Several initiatives are available to review and enhance the quality of your FWB data, all aligned with the IATA MIPCODES standard.

Improve your data quality Issues

Some data quality issues may arise in an incoming FWB message. It is important to differentiate between errors and warnings:
  • Errors: These prevent the message from being processed, resulting in an FNA/XFNM. A new message must be sent before the shipment can be delivered.
  • Warnings: These do not block processing but may require corrections during the acceptance process, potentially causing delays.
We strongly recommend regularly reviewing and addressing any warnings to ensure the efficient delivery of the shipment.

How can you do that?

To support this process, a system has been developed to assess and enhance the quality of FWB data. Follow these steps to get started:
  • Integrate the response message (FNA/FMA) into the system.
  • Check the quality of FWB data via the online portal, myCargo.
  • Subscribe to notifications for FWB validation through myCargo.
The system will identify specific areas requiring improvement, including errors that must be corrected and alerts that suggest potential enhancements. Once these areas have been pinpointed, make the necessary adjustments and resubmit the FWB data.
For further guidance, please refer to the IATA website.

Consignment Security Declaration (CSD)

The Consignment Security Declaration (CSD) provides regulators with a detailed audit trail of how, when, and by whom cargo was secured throughout the supply chain. To ensure an efficient, paperless acceptance process, we encourage our customers to include the CSD information in their FWB message in accordance with IATA´s FWB standards. The required details are as follows:
  • Special Handling Code: Indicates whether the shipment is secured.
  • For Secured Shipments: Specifies how, by whom, and when the shipment was secured.
For further instructions on transmitting this information in the FWB, please refer to our CSD guidance document.

ICS2

For more details on ICS2 requirements, please visit our ICS2 information page.
If you have any questions regarding the quality of your FWB, please contact our Customer Service department or our EFreight team.

How to switch to e-AWB

Step 1: Sign in the IATA Multilateral e-AWB Agreement

The Multilateral e-AWB Agreement provides a legal framework for parties to conclude cargo contracts by electronic means.
Sign it online: https://www.formstack.com/forms/iata-multilateral.
More details and FAQs: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/e/eawb/multilateral/

Step 2: Be able to Transmit electronic data (FWB/FHL).

There are different ways to send an FWB:
  • Your own IT system: your system may already have the FWB and FHL transmission functionality. To find out if this 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.
  • 3rd parties, providing the possibility to send FWB and FHL: you can use an IT Solution Provider with a system that meets your requirements including building and sending FWB and FHL messages. Several tools are available on the market.
  • CPS (Cargo Portal Services): this free web portal will allow you to create your e-AWB/e-HAWB.

Step 3: Send a request for a bilateral e-AWB contract

To become an e-Freight customer you will first be required to fill in an e-AWB Activation Request Form
This form can only be sent after making sure to have fulfilled the conditions of steps 1 and 2 and after having successfully transmitted several FWB/FHL messages.

Step 4: Data quality tests and e-AWB contract

The AFKL e-Freight team will run a number of data quality checks. The data must be correct, complete and compliant.
After establishing that the electronic data meet the required quality, the e-freight team will activate your account by sending you the Activation Notice via e-mail, which will finalize our e-AWB agreement. This agreement is valid only for one specific branch/country : a global organization cannot get all its branches activated at the same time.

Step 5: From now on, send your FWB/FHL messages as the legal contract of carriage

Once your e-AWB agreement has been finalised, your FWB and FHL messages will now serve as the legal contract of carriage and you can deliver your shipments without paper MAWB and HAWB documents.

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.

How to use e-AWB for your shipments

Step 1: Forwarder makes reservations with the Carrier

You can make your booking online via MyCargo.
The booking is necessary before sending FWB/FHL messages.

Step 2: Forwarder sends FWB / XFWB

After having made your booking, you will send FWB / FHL messages. Once you start using e-AWBs, you will never need to print paper AWBs (refer to the IATA Single process in the FAQs). 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).
Please insert the proper special handling code according to the delivery in every FWB message:
- EAP for a shipment delivered with some accompanying paper documentation (paper pouch, DGD, …)
- EAW for a shipment delivered without any paper documentation.

Step 3: Forwarder will receive FMA or FNA

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 and validated it as complete and compliant. You can then deliver your goods to AFKL (if you wish to receive acknowledgment of receipt through an FMA message, please contact our e-freight services).
The FNA is a rejection message from the AFKL system. It points to a syntax/content error in the FWB/FHL message. You will need to correct/modify the FWB/FHL and send it back. The error message specifies the segment name (example: RTD) and describes the error (for example: Missing Rate Class Code).
In addition to receiving a response message from the airline (FMA/FNA), you can also check the validation status of your FWB in MyCargo. Once you log in to your MyCargo account, you can even see the validation details with a description of the errors and warnings. A warning does not prevent your FWB message from being validated, but it serves as an indication of how you can further improve the data quality of your messages.
FWB data quality is important for ensuring fast and efficient services upon delivery. Please correct all the necessary information and resend a valid FWB before the shipment´s delivery, otherwise manual amendments may be necessary that would increase processing time.

Step 4: Forwarder delivers the shipment

Once you have correctly sent your data and you have received back an acknowledgement, you can tender the shipment physically. You are able to update your FWB/ FHL messages until the delivery of the goods.

Step 5: Shipment is accepted

Once documentary and physical acceptance have taken place and been validated, the airline sends the RCS message.

How can I tell if my FWB message is incomplete?

There are several ways:
  • FNA/FMA Confirmation: An FNA/FMA confirmation message is sent back to the customer´s system every time we receive an FWB.
  • myCargo Portal: The validation status and details can be viewed on myCargo.
  • Email Notifications: Customers can subscribe to a notification email on myCargo, which will automatically provide the validation status and details each time an FWB is sent.

How can I correct mistakes in the FWB message?

  • Consult the Guidelines: Refer to the IATA website.
  • Review with IT: If the issues are structural or process-related, discuss them with your IT provider.

Why is it essential that my eAWB is complete?

  • Data Accuracy: In the event of missing or incorrect data, manual intervention will be required at delivery, leading to delays and inefficient handling.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Incomplete data can compromise customs clearance and overall regulatory compliance.

Can I update the eAWB after RCS?

No. Every FWB message sent after RCS by customers will be rejected. The RCS milestone represents a transfer of legal responsibility, and we cannot allow customers to modify a contract of transport that is now under our responsibility.

Can I use the eAWB for every destination?

Yes, there are no restrictions. If a destination requires a paper AWB, we will print a copy of the eAWB. Customers can use the eAWB worldwide.

Do I need to provide a paper AWB at delivery if I send a complete FWB message?

No, if the FWB message is complete and correct, a paper AWB is not required at delivery. This simplifies the documentation acceptance process and speeds up the shipment handling.

e-AWB Activation Request Form

This request can only be sent after making sure to have fulfilled the conditions of steps 1 and 2. Don´t forget to mention AWB numbers for which you already sent FWB/FHL messages, otherwise we won´t be able to activate your account.


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