What is House Air Waybill?
A House Air Waybill (HAWB) is the air waybill issued by a freight forwarder or consolidator to an individual shipper for goods carried as part of a consolidation. The airline issues a Master Air Waybill (MAWB) to the forwarder covering the whole consolidated consignment, while each HAWB evidences the contract between the forwarder and its own shipper. MAWBs carry an 11-digit number starting with the airline's three-digit prefix; HAWB numbers are assigned by the forwarder. Like the airline waybill, a HAWB is not a document of title and is not negotiable; goods are delivered to the named consignee. For international carriage, the Montreal Convention 1999 generally governs liability, with the cargo limit raised to 26 SDR per kilogram from 28 December 2024.
Why it matters for forwarders
Accurate HAWB data drives both customs compliance and cargo release. Forwarders transmit house-level data to airlines and authorities through IATA messages such as FHL or XFZB alongside the master FWB, and regimes such as the EU's ICS2 and US advance cargo filings require house-level shipment details before loading or arrival. Mismatches between HAWB and MAWB pieces, weight or description cause holds and fines. A forwarder issuing its own HAWB generally takes on carrier responsibilities toward the shipper, so liability terms and insurance must reflect that. Check that consignee details on the HAWB are complete, since that party is who the destination agent will release the goods to.