What is the Difference Between HAWB and MAWB?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between HAWB (House Airway Bill) and MAWB (Master Airway Bill) lies in their issuance and purpose in the air freight industry:
- HAWB (House Airway Bill): Issued by a freight forwarder, the HAWB is a contract of carriage between the shipper and the freight forwarder. It is a document that records the agreement to transport the cargo to its destination. The HAWB is used when a freight forwarder receives goods from a shipper and agrees to deliver them to the destination as per the agreed terms.
- MAWB (Master Airway Bill): Issued by the main carrier of goods, the MAWB is a contract of carriage between the freight forwarder and the airline. It is an official transport document that outlines the terms agreed upon for the delivery of goods. The MAWB is used for shipments when they are consolidated by freight forwarders and sent to the main carrier.
In summary, the main differences between HAWB and MAWB are:
- Issuance: A MAWB is issued by the main carrier of goods, while a HAWB is issued by a freight forwarder.
- Purpose: A MAWB is a contract of carriage between the freight forwarder and the airline, while a HAWB is a contract of carriage between the shipper and the freight forwarder.
- Legal Standing: The MAWB serves as a document of title, while the HAWB holds a legal standing similar to a receipt and contract for shipment.
Both HAWB and MAWB are crucial in the air freight process, ensuring legal compliance, cargo tracking, and customs clearance.
Comparative Table: HAWB vs MAWB
The difference between HAWB (House Airway Bill) and MAWB (Master Airway Bill) can be summarized in the following table:
| Feature | HAWB (House Airway Bill) | MAWB (Master Airway Bill) |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Freight forwarder | Main carrier of goods |
| Purpose | Proof of receipt for cargo and contract to deliver goods at destination | Issued by the carrier as proof of cargo receipt and represents a contract for carriage |
| Trackability | Might not be trackable | Trackable on the carrier's website |
| Rules | Might not be covered by all IATA rules | Covered by all IATA rules |
| Terms of Contract | Might not state the full terms of contract for carriage | States the full terms of contract for carriage with the main carrier |
In summary, HAWB is issued by a freight forwarder as proof of receipt for cargo and a contract to deliver goods at the destination, while MAWB is issued by the main carrier of goods as proof of cargo receipt and represents a contract for carriage. The main differences between the two are who issues them, their trackability, the rules they follow, and the terms of contract they state.