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Professional Courier Tracking by AWB Number: Step-by-Step Guide
One of the easiest ways to track a package when using a courier company is with an AWB number. An AWB number is a number that a courier company uses to identify and keep track of a shipment.
Tracking a shipment sometimes provides customers with details on when the shipment was picked up, when it was being transferred, when it reached a sorting facility, when it was transferred to someone for delivery, and when it was delivered.
Understanding how AWB tracking operates can benefit both businesses and individuals when shipping documents, parcels, or even commercial shipments, as it can reduce the numerous phone calls to the company’s courier service.
An Air Waybill (AWB) is a shipping document used to track air cargo and courier shipments.
AWB numbers are unique identifiers for shipments. Depending on the courier company and type of shipment, the AWB may be a series of numbers or a combination of letters and numbers. The structure is different for every courier company.
Tracing a shipment is impossible without the AWB. The tracking information is provided by the system with the AWB number as a consignment input.
An AWB is different from an order or invoice number. An order number is related to a purchase, whereas an AWB is related to the shipment a courier or logistics company has under its charge.
How Does Professional Courier Tracking by AWB Number Work?
The tracking process has been simplified. Once a package is booked, the courier system logs where the package is and when. Because of the AWB number, the sender and receiver can view these log entries.
The tracking process can be summarised as follows:
- The package is picked up.
- The package is carried to a sorting or processing facility
- The package is processed through the courier system.
- The package arrives at the destination.
- The package is picked up and delivered.
- The shipping process is recorded once and for all when the recipient’s hands finally touch it.
There are some delays on the tracking page. Updates only happen after certain scans are recorded.
Step-by-Step Guide to Track a Courier Using an AWB Number
Here’s how to track a shipment that has an AWB number.
Step 1: Find Your AWB Number
The AWB number will be included on any of the following:
- Booking receipts
- Shipping labels
- Consignment notes
- Dispatch confirmations
- SMS messages
- Messages sent by the seller or supplier
- Most commercial shipping documents
- Booking Confirmations sent by the courier
Step 2: Open the Courier Tracking Page
Look for the option to ‘Track Shipment’, ‘Track Consignment’, or ‘Shipment Tracking’.
Never enter your AWB number to track a shipment on a page that you are not certain is the provider’s tracking page, even if they are asking you to provide personal or financial information.
Step 3: Enter the AWB number.
Enter the entire AWB or shipment number in the tracking field.
These tracking systems will probably make you type in a captcha and/or select the shipment type before you can check the status.
Step 4: Submit the Tracking Request
Click on tracking or the search button. At this point, the system should show you the current status of your shipment.
Step 5: Check the Latest Shipment Status
Oftentimes, the tracking will say if the shipment has been picked up, otherwise processed, transported, or received at the destination facility or sent for delivery.
Where Can You Find Your AWB Number?
In order to track a courier shipment, you must know the AWB number.
If you booked your own shipment, you would have the AWB from the receipt or the consignment document the courier company provided to you.
If someone else booked and shipped the parcel to you, ask the sender for the AWB. Many online sellers and businesses put the tracking number in the dispatch email, SMS, or notification for the order.
Most business shipments have the AWB noted in internal logs or documentation in shipping, invoices, or logistics.
When you have multiple shipments, make sure you track the shipment for the parcel you are looking to track.
Common Courier Tracking Statuses and Their Meaning
Tracking updates have some typical type of patterns, but it’s still confusing when a shipment remains updated with one status for hours or sometimes, days.
Here are some updates you may find:
| Tracking Status | Definition |
|---|---|
| Booked Shipment | The shipment has been booked with the courier service. |
| Picked Up | The courier service has picked up the parcel from the sender. |
| In Transit | The shipment is in transit within the courier system. |
| Arrived at the Facility | The shipment has arrived at the facility. |
| Departed the Facility | The shipment has departed from the facility. |
| Out for Delivery | The shipment has been scheduled for delivery. |
| Delivered | The shipment has been delivered successfully. |
| Delivery Attempted | An attempt has been made to deliver the shipment, but it was not successful. |
| Held | The shipment has been temporarily put on hold. |
The updates will look different for different courier companies.
Why Is My AWB Tracking Not Showing Any Update?
Occasionally, entering a correct AWB number yields no or very little shipment info. Do not assume this shipment is lost.
There are a few reasons for a lack of shipment tracking info:
Newly Processed Shipments
A shipment that just came into the system has not likely been scanned by the courier.
Typos
Double-check each character. Characters that are similar in appearance are easily confused.
Tracking System Slow
Courier systems are slow to update tracking activity.
Shipment in Transit
A shipment that is moving between two facilities will not show a new scan until it is processed at the next facility.
Delays Due to Operations
Shipment volume, extreme weather, transportation issues, and holidays make for slow operations.
If the shipment has been in this state for a long time, contact the courier and the shipping company for assistance. Provide the AWB number.
AWB Tracking for International Shipments
International shipments can have more steps in the process than domestic shipments.
An international shipment can experience origin processing, export processing, transport, clearance of customs at the destination, local service, and final delivery.
Tracking information can include updates from several different logistics partners during the process.
Businesses must understand that tracking information isn’t always a complete summary of why a shipment is being held at customs or what is needed to clear the shipment. The destination may require additional customs clearance documents, payment of duties, or other clearance procedures.
For this reason, many companies that have a large amount of international shipping use an experienced logistics or cargo freight service.
Benefits of AWB-Based Tracking
Having an AWB number makes things a lot easier for you.
- Your shipment gets identified.
Each shipment is given a reference number.
- You can keep tabs on shipment movement.
You don’t have to call the courier company every minute for an update on shipment movement.
- Business usage.
AWB is useful for people to keep watch on orders customers make, and also to control the shipments that are made for business purposes.
- Spotting delays.
Delayed movement updates show that a shipment is under evaluation.
- Communication is made a lot easier.
AWB is useful for locating the shipment by users of the service.
How Businesses Can Manage Multiple AWB Numbers
Businesses that process many shipments every day should keep track of each shipment.
An example of a tracking form might be one with the following:
- AWB Number
- Customer Name
- Date of Shipment
- Destination
- Courier
- Current Status
- Estimated Time of Arrival
- Delivery Confirmation
Maintaining records of these details not only makes tracking a shipment easier but also helps answer customer queries on the status of the shipment.
Regular shipments of cargo across international boundaries require that shipping and clearance documents be kept on hand.
When Should You Contact the Courier or Shipping Agent?
Tracking your shipments online is convenient, but sometimes you need to reach out for help.
You should contact the courier or your logistics provider if:
- The AWB is not recognised after a reasonable length of time.
- There has been no movement for an unusually long time.
- The tracking status shows an exception.
- The delivery attempt failed.
- The goods are shown as delivered to the customer, but the customer did not receive them.
- You receive feedback that section of customs or documents is not cleared.
- The shipment is being transported to a different, incorrect destination.
Please have your AWB, booking information, and the contact information for the shipment recipient prepared to answer your questions.
Final Thoughts
AWB-based tracking allows users to track their shipments from booking to delivery. By checking the courier’s tracking system and providing the AWB number, users will have a better understanding of the status of the shipment that is currently available. Using this technology also streamlines logistics for both shippers and receivers. It also makes logistics management easier for businesses that ship domestically or internationally.
The International Shipping Cargo Agency in Delhi works with its clients to fulfil their cargo and shipping needs for international shipments. This includes managing shipments and providing logistics support.
You can track the status of your shipment by providing the AWB number to the courier tracking system.
Know the status of your shipment at all times by checking it on our website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The AWB number is the reference number that is used to track and identify a shipment of air cargo or courier.
To track the shipment, go to the tracking page of the courier and enter the complete AWB number. The shipment updates will appear.
An AWB number is shown on the courier receipt, the shipping label, the consignment note, the booking confirmation, or the email or SMS sent by the courier or the sender.
The tracking info may not show up for various reasons, like the shipment was recently booked, it has not been scanned yet, or the tracking system is not up-to-date. Enter the AWB number again and check if it shows the tracking info.
Yes. An AWB number can be used to track many international shipments of air cargo and couriers. However, the information available may vary based on the courier and the logistics partners involved.