International shipping has evolved into the backbone of foreign trade and has opened doors for business establishments and individuals to send commodities abroad with ease. For international shippers in India, the delivery of cargo to destinations on time along with the integrity of shipments is of prime concern. One of the best tracking tools for the journey of an overseas shipment is the airway bill number, or the Airway Bill no. The electronic key code makes it possible for shippers and receivers to trace the full course of their packages from point of origin to the point of destination.
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What Is an Airway Bill Number
Airway bill number is a serial numerical number that is assigned to all air shipments. The Airway Bill no, provided by the shipper or forwarder, is the contract between carrier and shipper defining the terms of transport, including destination, origin, and cargo content. The number typically consists of 11 digits of which the first three are the special airline code followed by an eight-digit serial number. It is imprinted on the form of the airway bill, which is being shipped along with the shipment and even to receiver and shipper.
In Indian global shipping, the Airway Bill no is especially important as it allows for real-time tracking of the cargo as it passes through checkpoints like customs clearance, transit points, and delivery points. Whatever your company is, if you are shipping Indian goods to European, North American, or Asian nations, or if you are an individual who wants to deliver a package to a friend or family member overseas, Airway Bill no is your key to tracking the shipping and having it delivered on time.
How to Trace an International Parcel with an Airway Bill Number
It is a simple job to monitor an international shipment through an Airway Bill no, if you possess the right information and tools. Here is a step-by-step process to guide you through it, specially designed for the scenario of international shipping from India.
Step 1: Get the Airway Bill Number
Obtaining the Airway Bill no is the starting point in tracking an international shipment. When you book a delivery through a courier company, freight forwarder, or airline, Airway Bill no is issued as proof of delivery. Usually, the number is emailed to you with the shipping invoice or noted on the paper airway bill given to you at booking time. Store this number carefully since it is the key to tracking information if you are mailing across India with respected courier services such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, or India Post.
Step 2: Go to the Carrier’s Tracking Portal
Once you have the Airway Bill no, then go to the website of the carrier that is shipping your goods. Most international airlines and courier companies have separate tracking web pages where you feed in the Airway Bill no. to know the status of the shipment. For example, if the shipment is being shipped from India via DHL, then go to the DHL Express tracking web page; for FedEx, FedEx tracking web page. Some freight forwarders even provide their own tracking modules, which collect data from various carriers being used on the shipment.
Step 3: Enter the Airway Bill Number
On the carrier’s website, find the track box, typically with the heading “Track Shipment,” “Enter Airway Bill Number,” or something similar. Enter the Airway Bill no slowly and carefully, making sure there are no spaces and no mistake. Once you have entered the number, click the “Track” or “Submit” tab to get the information of the shipment.
Step 4: Verify the Tracking Details
After you have entered the Airway Bill no, the tracking site will give you a comprehensive history of how the shipment proceeded. This will generally comprise critical dates like when the cargo was picked from India, cleared customs, left an airport, was delivered at a transit hub, and reached the destination country. With Indian shipments, you may receive the following messages: “Processed at Mumbai International Airport” or “Cleared Customs in Dubai.” The portal will also be able to inform you of the estimated date of delivery and the location of the package.
Step 5: Use Extra Tracking Tools if Necessary
Indian international shipments tend to have multiple carriers transporting them around, particularly for economic shipping services. If the official website of the prime carrier is insufficient, go through third-party tracking sites like After Ship or Parcel Monitor that scrape information from a mix of carriers. Just submit the Airway Bill no in these sites to view the combined status of the shipment. Yet, for the most accurate and comprehensive data, the carrier’s official website is the best place to look.
Conclusion
Airway Bill number international tracking is an addition of value to whoever ships internationally from India. It opens the door to a minefield of information ranging from where a ship is to when it will likely arrive, all feasible and convenient while communicating with recipients or shippers. Following the procedure outlined—getting the Airway Bill number, getting access to the carrier tracking page, entering the number, and tracking updates—you can easily track shipments. Instructions like storing the number safely and verifying requirements of customs renders tracking operational.
