An air bill number is a tracking and reference code assigned to each shipment sent by air freight, similar to a tracking number on a parcel delivery.

The air bill number appears on the air waybill (also called an air bill), which is the contract and receipt between the shipper, the airline, and the consignee. Every air freight shipment gets one unique number. The airline uses it to track the cargo from pickup through delivery, and you use it to monitor where your shipment is and confirm it has arrived.

Air bill numbers are not the same as commercial invoice numbers, purchase order numbers, or bill of lading numbers used in ocean freight. Each serves a different purpose in the shipping and payment chain. If you are sending something by air and need to track it or prove you shipped it, the air bill number is what you will reference.

Key Takeaways

  • An air bill number is a unique identifier printed on the air waybill document that tracks one air freight shipment from origin to destination.
  • The shipper (sender), the airline, and the consignee (receiver) all receive a copy of the air waybill with the same air bill number.
  • Air bill numbers are used to track cargo status, confirm delivery, and serve as proof of shipment for customs and insurance purposes.
  • The air bill number is different from a commercial invoice number or a tracking number used by parcel carriers like FedEx or UPS.

Where the Air Bill Number Appears

The air bill number is printed in the upper right corner of the air waybill document, usually in a box labeled "Air Waybill Number" or "AWB Number." It is an 11-digit code formatted as three groups: a three-digit airline prefix, followed by an eight-digit serial number, followed by a single check digit. For example, an air bill number might look like 001-12345678-9.

The same number appears on every copy of the air waybill — the shipper's copy, the airline's copy, and the consignee's copy. This ensures that all parties are referring to the same shipment when they communicate about it. You will also see the air bill number on any labels or tags attached to the physical cargo.

How Airlines and Shippers Use Air Bill Numbers

The airline uses the air bill number to log the shipment into its system when it arrives at the cargo terminal, to track it through sorting and loading, and to confirm it has been loaded onto the correct aircraft. Ground handlers and flight crews use the number to verify that the right cargo is on the right plane. At the destination airport, the number is used to locate the shipment, confirm it has arrived, and route it to the consignee or to customs inspection if required.

Shippers use the air bill number to monitor the status of their cargo in real time through the airline's tracking system. If a shipment is delayed or lost, the shipper references the air bill number when filing a claim with the airline. Customs brokers and freight forwarders use the air bill number to match the physical cargo to the paperwork and to file import and export declarations with government agencies.

Air Bill Number Versus Other Shipping Identifiers

An air bill number is specific to air freight and is issued by the airline. A tracking number issued by FedEx, UPS, or DHL is different — those companies operate their own networks and issue their own numbers. If you ship a package via FedEx Air, it will have both a FedEx tracking number and an air bill number, because FedEx is acting as the freight forwarder and the underlying airline will issue an air bill.

A bill of lading number is used for ocean freight shipments and serves the same legal and tracking purpose as an air bill number, but it is issued by the ocean carrier or freight forwarder, not by an airline. A commercial invoice number is a number you assign to your own invoice and is used for accounting and customs purposes, but it is not a shipping identifier. Confusing these numbers can delay customs clearance or make it harder to track your shipment.

How to Find Your Air Bill Number

If you shipped something by air freight, your freight forwarder or shipping agent should have given you a copy of the air waybill when they picked up the cargo. The air bill number is in the upper right corner. If you did not receive a physical copy, ask your forwarder or shipper to email you a copy of the air waybill or to provide the air bill number in writing.

If you are the receiver and the shipment has already arrived at the destination airport, the airline or customs broker handling the import may have sent you an email or letter with the air bill number. Check your email for messages from the shipper, the freight forwarder, or the airline. If you still cannot find it, contact the shipper and ask them to provide the air bill number — they will have it on file.

Tracking Your Shipment Using the Air Bill Number

Once you have the air bill number, you can track the shipment on the airline's website or through your freight forwarder's tracking portal. Most major airlines — including Lufthansa Cargo, FedEx Express, UPS Airlines, and others — have online tracking systems where you enter the air bill number and see the current location and status of the cargo. The level of detail varies by airline; some show real-time updates, while others update once or twice per day.

If the airline's tracking system does not show recent updates, contact your freight forwarder or the airline's cargo customer service line directly. Provide the air bill number and ask for the current status. Delays in the tracking system are common, especially during peak shipping periods or when cargo is in customs clearance. The air bill number is the fastest way to get accurate information from the airline.

Air Bill Numbers and Customs Clearance

Customs agencies in the destination country use the air bill number to match the physical cargo to the import declaration and commercial invoice. When cargo arrives at an international airport, customs inspectors scan or manually record the air bill number to verify that the contents match what was declared. If there is a discrepancy between the air waybill and the customs paperwork, the shipment may be held for inspection or rejected.

If your shipment is held in customs, the customs broker or airline will contact you using the air bill number as the reference. Keep the air bill number handy if you are importing goods, because you may need to provide it to your customs broker, your insurance company, or the airline if there are any questions about the shipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the air bill number the same as a tracking number?

Not exactly. An air bill number is the official identifier on the air waybill contract. A tracking number is what a carrier like FedEx or UPS gives you to follow a package. If you ship by air through FedEx, you get both — the FedEx tracking number and an underlying air bill number that FedEx uses with the airline.

Can I track my air shipment without the air bill number?

It is difficult. Most airlines require the air bill number to look up a shipment in their system. If you have the shipper's name and the destination airport, you may be able to contact the airline's cargo desk and ask them to search, but having the air bill number is much faster and more reliable.

What if my air bill number is wrong or illegible?

Contact the shipper or freight forwarder when ready and ask for a corrected copy of the air waybill. If the number on the physical cargo label is damaged, the airline's cargo terminal can usually look up the shipment by the shipper's name, destination, and weight. Provide as much detail as you can.

Do I need the air bill number to file an insurance claim?

Yes. If cargo is damaged or lost, your insurance company will ask for the air bill number as part of the claim. It is also required when filing a claim with the airline. Keep a copy of the air waybill with the air bill number visible in case you need to file a claim later.

Can the same air bill number be used for multiple shipments?

No. Each air waybill and each air bill number is unique to one shipment. If you ship multiple boxes on the same day, each box gets its own air bill number and its own air waybill, even if they are going to the same destination.