Each Air Waybill consists of a set of three originals:
| Original 1 | (green) | retained by the carrier (airline) | signed by the shipper |
| Original 2 | (red) | forwarded to the consignee | signed by the shipper and the carrier |
| Original 3 | (blue) | returned to the shipper | signed by the shipper and the carrier on receipt of the goods |
Plus at least 6 copies (unsigned) for the use of forwarders, customs agents, etc.
An Air Waybill is a documentary proof of the contract of carriage between the shipper and the carrier.
It also serves as:
An Air Waybill is not a title document, it is not negotiable. An Air Waybill is a document which has the same importance in airfreight as a Bill of Lading has in sea freight, but, whereas a B/L is a title document, (i.e. it is a document which proves ownership of the goods mentioned in the B/L, and which can be bought and sold, entitling the buyer to ownership of the goods), an AWB cannot be used in this way.
The words non-negotiable are printed at the top of the Air Waybill, and must not be changed or removed.
IATA is a non-political international organisation, with headquarters in Montreal and in Geneva. Membership is open to all scheduled airlines registered in countries eligible for membership of the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation: this organisation is a branch of the United Nations). Charter companies are not eligible for membership.
The objects of the IATA are to promote commercial air traffic, and to increase safety, speed and efficiency.
The IATA promotes:
Approximately 80% of all airlines are members: IATA can find solutions to international problems which no single airline could solve: it can also guarantee international standards. This is an advantage to the airlines, as forms and handling procedures are standardised; and an advantage to the user, who can count on high standards of service from the airlines and their agents and on intentionally agreed fares and cargo rates.
Accredited IATA agencies (air forwarding agencies, travel agencies) have satisfied the standards of the IATA. Any Forwarder who regularly deals with air transport must be accredited as an IATA Cargo Agent.
A document that establishes the terms of a contract between a shipper and a transportation company. It serves as a document of title, a contract of carriage and a receipt for goods.
A Bill of Lading serves three separate important functions:
A clean Bill of Lading states that the consignment is in apparent good order and condition when shipped on board, and the carrier accepts the liability of delivering the goods in this same condition to the consignee.
Banks will only accept a clean Bill of Lading. (see reference section: letter of indemnity)
If the carrier cannot accept this responsibility for some reason, he will add a clause to the B/L, explaining why not. Then the B/L is a claused or "dirty" B/L, and will not be accepted by a bank. In this case, the carrier does his job, and must be paid, but the exporter will have delivered to him in correct condition.
Examples of such clauses, which may be typed or hand-written are:
Often the expensive result of an error or hold-up in the issuing of a B/L, or of its loss! If the consignment arrives at the final destination, but cannot be handed over to the consignee, because the B/L is not available, then the expression "state B/L" is used.
The extra charges for storing goods or for parking containers at the port until the documents are sorted out are called demurrage, and can be very expensive.
- If upon delivery, you notice damaged or missing items you should mark the delivery receipts and inventory accordingly.
- You must then notify the insurer's of your intent to make a claim within 45 days of delivery.
If the claim exceeds U.S.$ 2500 (or the equivalent) it may be necessary to have an insurance surveyor verify the loss and damages. If the claim is less than U.S.$2500 ( or equivalent) in value, then a survey will not be necessary.
Depending on the nature of the claim, you will be asked to provide repair estimates, original invoices or estimated replacement quotes. You will also be asked to provide the original insurance certificate, signed delivery receipts, copies of Bills of Lading, the original inventory and copies of any relevant correspondence. You must make your actual claim within 90 days of the initial notice of your intent to make a claim. There is a deductible on the policy of US$50.00 per claim (motor vehicles US$250.00).
Enclosed in the Insurance Proposal Form is a valued inventory list. Simply list the number of each particular item to be included in your shipment and declare the full replacement value at destination. The more specific you can be, then the greater the likelihood of a swift and full settlement in the event of a claim.
Once you have prepared your fully valued inventory, you should add all the values together and transfer to the "total" column on the application form. You can insure your goods in any currency you choose, but you must declare the currency on the form, otherwise it assumes that the values are in United States Dollars.
You also have the option to insure the cost of your moving charges. If the shipment is lost, then the insurance company would reimburse your moving expenses. To benefit from this protection simply itemize the actual moving charges on your valued inventory, then add the value of your goods to the shipping costs to calculate the " Grand Total."
As a rough guideline you should consider the difference between the cost of living in different countries. If, for example, the cost of living is 20% higher at your destination than in a country you're shipping from, then simply add 20% to the valuation of your shipment.
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