·   Provide the exporter with proof of delivery of the cargo to the international carrier in good condition.

·   Often prepared by the exporter or the freight forwarder and is signed by the warehouse worker or agent for the carrier upon receipt of the goods.

·  Once the goods are delivered and signed for, the inland carrier provides the dock receipt to the freight forwarder as evidence it has successfully completed delivery of the goods.

FUNCTION OF DOCK RECEIPT

·  To instruct an advice the receiving terminal of the disposition of your vehicle. Example where it is to be shipped what vessel to look it onto, when it is to be loaded.

·   At least 3 dock receipt must accompany the vehicle when it is delivered to the pier.

A document that accompanies goods shipped by an international courier to provide detailed information about the shipment and allow it to be tracked. The air waybill has multiple copies so that each party involved in the shipment can document it. 

An air waybill (AWB) or air consignment note is a receipt issued by an international airline for goods and an evidence of the contract of carriage, but it is not a document of title to the goods. Hence, the air waybill is non-negotiable.

BREAKING DOWN 'Air Waybill - AWB'

Air waybills are issued in 8 sets of different colours. The first three copies are classified as originals. The first original, Green in colour, is the Issuing Carrier's copy. The second, coloured Pink, is the Consignee's Copy. The third, coloured Blue, is the Shipper's copy. A fourth Brown copy acts as the Delivery Receipt, or proof of delivery. The other three copies are white

The bill contains the shipper's name and address, consignee's name and address, three letter origin airport code, three letter destination airport code, declared shipment value for customs, number of pieces, gross weight, a description of the goods and any special instructions (e.g,. "perishable"). It also contains the conditions of contract that describe the carrier's terms and conditions, such as its liability limits and claims procedures.

Functions
There are several purposes that an air waybill serves, but its main functions are:

A. Contract of Carriage

·         Behind every original of the Air Waybill are conditions of contract for carriage.

B. Evidence of Receipt of Goods

·         When the shipper delivers goods to be forwarded, he will get a receipt. The receipt is proof that the shipment was handed over in good order and condition and also that the shipping instructions, as contained in the Shipper's Letter of Instructions, are acceptable. After completion, an original copy of the air waybill is given to the shipper as evidence of the acceptance of goods and as proof of contract of carriage

C. Freight Bill

·         The air waybill may be used as a bill or invoice together with supporting documents since it may indicate charges to be paid by the consignee, charges due to the agent or the carrier. An original copy of the air waybill is used for the carrier's accounting

D. Certificate of Insurance

·         The air waybill may also serve as an evidence if the carrier is in a position to insure the shipment and is requested to do so by the shipper.

E. Customs Declaration

·         Although customs authorities require various documents like a commercial invoice, packing list, etc. the air waybill too is proof of the freight amount billed for the goods carried and may be needed to be presented for customs clearance

The format of the air waybill has been designed by IATA and these can be used for both domestic as well as international transportation. These are available in two forms, viz. the airline logo equipped air waybill and the neutral air waybill. Usually, airline air waybills are distributed to IATA cargo agents by IATA airlines. The air waybills show:

·         the carrier's name

·         its head office address

·         its logo

·         the pre printed eleven digit air waybill number

It is also possible to complete an air waybill through a computerised system. Agents all over the world are now using their own in-house computer systems to issue airlines' and freight forwarders' own air waybills. IATA cargo agents usually hold air waybills of several carriers. However, it gradually became difficult to accommodate these pre-numbered air waybills with the printed identification in the computer system. Therefore a neutral air waybill was created. Both types of air waybills have the same format and layout. However, the neutral air waybill does not bear any pre-printed individual name, head office address, logo and serial number.