Air Waybill (AWB) Under a Letter of Credit
What an air waybill must show under UCP 600 Article 23 when goods are shipped by air under a Letter of Credit.
Reviewed by LCCheck team (owner-approved) · 2026-10-12
Short answer
UCP 600 Article 23 governs air transport documents. An air waybill must indicate the carrier's name and be signed by the carrier or its named agent, show the goods accepted for carriage, show the date of issuance (the shipment date unless a specific flight date notation is required), show the departure and destination airports, and be the original for consignor or shipper.
| Rule | UCP 600 Art. 23 |
|---|---|
| Shipment date | Issue date, unless an actual flight-date notation is shown |
| Original | Original for consignor/shipper |
| Not a document of title | Goods released to named consignee |
What to check
- Carrier named; signed by carrier or named agent.
- Airports match the credit.
- Issue date on or before 44C.
- Consignee as the credit requires (often the issuing bank).
- Goods and weights consistent with invoice and packing list.
Risks
- AWB is not a document of title — consider consigning to the issuing bank.
- Flight number and date notations treated as shipment date only if the credit requires them.
Sources
General guidance, not legal advice. Your bank examines documents independently.
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