GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
FWB Message
When a shipment is ready for booking, the freight forwarder transmits an FWB message to the airline – the air cargo process does not start without it.
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Source: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/e/cargo-imp/
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Definition & Explanation
When a shipment is ready for booking, the freight forwarder transmits an FWB message to the airline – the air cargo process does not start without it. FWB stands for Freight Waybill; it is a standardized IATA Cargo-IMP message type that carries all waybill data electronically: shipper and consignee details, commodity description, gross weight, piece count, special handling codes, charges, and payment terms. The message underpins automated booking, movement control, and billing across the air cargo chain. Unlike the FSU message, which reports shipment status updates, the FWB constitutes the initial freight notification to the carrier. Many advance cargo security programmes require the FWB to be filed within defined deadlines before departure.
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