# IATA eAWB (Electronic Air Waybill) Initiative

*Last updated: 2026-06-24*

> An eAWB (Electronic Air Waybill) is a digital transport document that legally replaces the paper air waybill in air cargo.

An eAWB (Electronic Air Waybill) is a digital transport document that legally replaces the paper air waybill in air cargo. The IATA eAWB Initiative standardizes its global adoption: airlines and freight forwarders sign a multilateral agreement enabling structured electronic data exchange in place of physical paperwork. For forwarders, the transition means less manual data entry, faster shipment acceptance, and direct digital connectivity with carriers and customs authorities. The eAWB Initiative should not be confused with the broader IATA E-Freight Initiative, which addresses the full suite of accompanying cargo documents; this initiative focuses specifically on the air waybill as the central contract of carriage.

**Source:** [https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/e-freight/eawb/](https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/e-freight/eawb/)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | IATA eAWB (Electronic Air Waybill) Initiative |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 103 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-24 |
| Source | https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/e-freight/eawb/ |

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