Documents

Make sure your papers are in order

Ready to fill out paperwork? American Airlines Cargo offers all the documentation you need, from Air Waybills and invoices to Shippers Export Declarations

Air Waybills

Cargo Air Waybill

For Cargo air waybills, please visit your local American Airlines Cargo facility. This document will also include a copy of our Terms and Conditions and liability information.

Priority Parcel Service (PPS) Air Waybill

For Priority Parcel Service air waybills, please visit your local American Airlines PPS facility (American Airlines passenger terminal ticket counter, cargo terminal or dedicated Priority Parcel facility). This document will also include a copy of our Terms and Conditions and liability information. For shipments to Japan, use Universal AWBs or AC-13 forms from American Airlines. Please note that PPS AWB Form 469 is not accepted in Japan.

Domestic Shipments
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Air Waybill

For all shipments, use an American Airlines AC13 or AC16 air waybill. If you need to use an approved Airforwarders Association (AfA) air waybill (for US domestic shipments) or an IATA neutral air waybill (for international shipments), please fill out a form and obtain approval from us beforehand. Once this form has been approved, it will be kept on file for future reference. If you have not already completed this form, please contact your local sales office. If you use a document other than those listed above, we will complete an American Airlines air waybill at the time of tender and a fee of $25 USD will be assessed. (subject to change)

All American Airlines air waybills are blue in color.

Special Commodities

More documentation may be necessary for some commodities, such as animals or restricted articles.

For security reasons, only a few commodities can be accepted from unknown shippers. Call 1-800-CARGOAA (1-800-227-4622) to determine whether your shipment can be accepted.

International Shipments
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Air Waybill

We prefer that an American Airlines air waybill be used for all international shipments. But if you need to use a neutral air waybill, please fill out a specific form that accepts American Airlines Cargo's Terms and Conditions as filed with IATA and as found in IATA Resolutions 600a and 600b(II) so that we can keep it on file. If your company has never submitted such a form and you need more information, please contact your local sales office.

Please type all international cargo air waybills.

If you prefer, one of our representatives will be happy to assist you in filling it out at the time of shipping for a fee of $25 USD. Depending on the country you are shipping to or the commodity involved, other documentation may be required. For more detailed instructions, please contact your destination's consulate.

Shippers Export Declaration (S.E.D.)
Infrequent (Non-Commercial) Shippers

For personal or household goods, please provide a Shippers Export Declaration (S.E.D.) for international routes except Canada when the value exceeds $2,500 USD. An S.E.D. is a color-specific document issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce - Bureau of the Census - International Trade Administration and must be completed electronically through the Automated Export System (AES) in order to clear customs. We no longer accept paper forms.

Commercial Shippers and Freight Forwarders

For commercial shipments leaving the U.S. to a foreign destination (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), please provide a Shippers Export Declaration (S.E.D.) when the declared value is greater than $2,500 USD. An S.E.D. is a color-specific document issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce - Bureau of the Census - International Trade Administration and must be completed electronically through the Automated Export System (AES) in order to clear customs. We no longer accept paper forms.

Other Documentation

Depending on the country you are shipping to or the commodity involved, other documentation may be required. For more detailed instructions, please contact your destination's consulate.

Invoices
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Commercial Shipments

We define a commercial shipment as being sent from one of the following:

  • A company to another company
  • A company to the same company
  • A company to an individual
  • An individual to a company

For commercial shipments, please provide a minimum of three commercial invoices, each either typed or handwritten on company letterhead (if applicable), signed with an original signature in ink and containing the following:

  • Date
  • Shipper's name, street address (with zip or postal code) and phone number
  • Consignee's (receiver's) name, street address (with zip or postal code) and phone number
  • Weight with description of contents and declared value of the package
  • Country of origin
  • Must state "Intended (or Not Intended) For Resale"
  • Shipper's original signature with date signed on each invoice copy

Non-Commercial (Personal) Shipments

We define a non-commercial shipment as being sent from one individual to another. For this, please provide a minimum of three informal (Pro-forma) invoices with a list of contents, each either typed or handwritten on company letterhead (if applicable), signed with an original signature in ink, and containing the following:

  • Date
  • Shipper's name, street address (with zip or postal code) and phone number
  • Consignee's (receiver's) name, street address (with zip or postal code) and phone number
  • Weight with description of contents and declared value of the package
  • Country of origin
  • Must state "Personal Effects - Not Intended For Resale"
  • Shipper's original signature with date signed on each invoice copy