Essential Air Freight Documents: A Checklist for Compliance

5 min read. Updated Jan 2026

A mandatory checklist of air freight documents (AWB, commercial invoice, CO) to avoid customs delays and ensure smooth shipping.

Proper documentation is critical for smooth air freight operations, as missing or incorrect papers can cause customs delays, fines, or even shipment rejection. Here’s a mandatory checklist:

    1. Air Waybill (AWB): The most important document—serves as a contract of carriage, receipt of goods, and non-negotiable shipping document. It includes shipper/consignee details, cargo description, and chargeable weight.  
    2. Commercial Invoice: Details the transaction between shipper and consignee, including goods value, quantity, and terms of sale (required for customs valuation).  
    3. Packing List: Lists each package’s contents, weight, and dimensions—helps customs inspect and verify cargo.  
    4. Certificate of Origin (CO): Indicates the goods’ country of manufacture, required for duty calculation and trade agreements.  
    5. Shipper’s Letter of Instruction (SLI): Provides forwarders with specific shipping instructions (e.g., delivery requirements, special handling).  
    6. Special Documents (if applicable):  
       - Dangerous Goods Declaration (for hazardous materials).  
       - Phytosanitary Certificate (for agricultural products).  
       - FDA Approval (for food, pharmaceuticals entering the US).

Ensure all documents are consistent (e.g., cargo description matches across AWB and invoice) to avoid compliance issues.