Airway bill / Air consignment note
1.
An airway bill is a very important document used whenever goods are sent by
air.
2.
An airway bill is issued by an airline company in a set of 12 copies. However,
only three copies are originals - the first is for the carrier, the second for
the consignee and the third is for the shipper. The balance 9 (nine) copies are
retained by the airline company for administrative purposes. It corresponds to
a Bill of Lading but it is only used when goods are sent by air.
3. The key information in an
airway bill are as follows:
(a) The name of the airline company or
carrier.
(b) The name and address of the shipper
(beneficiary).
(c) The names of the airports of departure
and destination, flight number and actual flight date.
(d) A description of the goods in general
terms, its weight and the freight charged, its declared value
(e) The number of pieces sent.
(f) Evidence (by and authorized signature)
that the goods have been received by the carrier or its agent, and the date of
issuance.
(g) The name and address of the
consignee and also the name and city of the carrier's agent.
(h) The status of the freight charges prepaid or
payable at destination.
4. It is normally
prepared in triplicate by the consignor. The part marked for the 'Carrier' has
to be signed by the consignor. The part marked for the 'Consignee' travels with
the goods. The third part is signed by the carrier and returned to the
consignor.
5. The consignee is
usually the bank that issues the letter of credit, and the party to be notified
when the goods arrive is the importer
6. The functions of
an airway bill are as follows:
(a) It is an advice note indicating all
the key information stated above.
(b)
It is evidence of contract of carriage but is not negotiable.
(c) It is not a document of title. The delivery of
goods is not dependent upon the presentation of the Airway Bill but rather the
goods will be delivered to the named consignee against proof of identification
at the airport of destination.
(d) It should be despatched with other
documents for it shows the date of despatch which is useful for exchange and
import control purposes.
(e) It may be used as a receipt to be
signed by the consignee on the delivery of the goods.
(f)
It is also a note of freight charges.
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