House Air Waybill (HAWB)
A House Air Waybill (HAWB) is the air waybill a freight forwarder (consolidator) issues to an individual shipper whose cargo forms part of a consolidation. It is the forwarder's own transport document and receipt for that specific consignment, naming the actual shipper and consignee and the goods, and setting out the forwarder's terms of carriage.
The HAWBs sit underneath a single Master Air Waybill (MAWB) that the airline issues to the forwarder for the whole consolidated shipment. This master/house structure lets forwarders consolidate many small shipments to buy airline capacity in bulk while giving each customer their own document. For the shipper and consignee, the HAWB is the reference for their shipment — used for tracking, delivery and customs — mirroring the house bill of lading in ocean freight.
The HAWB is the document the actual shipper and consignee hold and track their air shipment by, while the forwarder consolidates everything under one MAWB to the airline. Knowing the house/master split is fundamental to air-cargo documentation, customs and delivery — and to understanding the forwarder's role between shipper and airline.
Who issues a house air waybill?
The freight forwarder (consolidator) issues it to the individual shipper whose cargo is part of a consolidation.
How is a HAWB different from a MAWB?
The HAWB covers one shipper's consignment; the MAWB is the airline's single document to the forwarder for the whole consolidated shipment.