MAWB
MAWB (Master Air Waybill) is a crucial document in air freight shipping. Think of it as the main contract between a freight forwarder and an airline for transporting cargo. It's like a master receipt that covers multiple smaller shipments, which can each have their own individual documents (called House Air Waybills or HAWBs). When you see this term in a resume, it indicates the person has experience handling international air cargo documentation and understands how to process consolidated shipments.
Examples in Resumes
Processed over 200 MAWBs monthly for international air shipments
Managed documentation including Master Air Waybills for consolidated cargo
Coordinated with airlines for MAWB issuance and tracking
Typical job title: "Air Freight Coordinators"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Air Freight Coordinators
Professional Networks
Industry Associations
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where there's a discrepancy between the MAWB and HAWB weights?
Expected Answer: A senior professional should explain the reconciliation process, mention verification with both the shipper and airline, and describe the documentation correction procedures following airline and customs regulations.
Q: What considerations do you take into account when consolidating shipments under one MAWB?
Expected Answer: Should discuss factors like destination compatibility, transit times, commodity restrictions, and cost optimization while ensuring compliance with airline and customs regulations.
Mid Level Questions
Q: Can you explain the relationship between MAWBs and HAWBs?
Expected Answer: Should explain that a MAWB is issued by the airline to the freight forwarder for consolidated shipments, while HAWBs are issued by the forwarder to individual shippers, with one MAWB potentially covering multiple HAWBs.
Q: What are the key elements that must be checked on a MAWB before submission?
Expected Answer: Should mention checking consignee/shipper details, weights and dimensions, commodity descriptions, special handling codes, and ensuring all required fields are properly filled out.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is a MAWB and why is it important?
Expected Answer: Should explain that it's the main air transport document issued by airlines for cargo shipments, serving as a contract of carriage and essential for customs clearance.
Q: What basic information is included on a MAWB?
Expected Answer: Should list basic elements like shipper/consignee information, flight details, piece count, weight, commodity description, and any special handling requirements.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic MAWB data entry
- Understanding of air cargo documentation
- Knowledge of basic shipping terms
- Ability to verify basic shipment details
Mid (2-5 years)
- Handling documentation discrepancies
- Managing consolidated shipments
- Understanding of customs requirements
- Coordination with airlines and agents
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex shipment documentation management
- Team leadership and training
- Problem-solving for documentation issues
- Strategic planning for cargo consolidation
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic air cargo documentation
- Unfamiliarity with airline requirements
- Lack of attention to detail in documentation
- No understanding of consolidation processes
