Fulfill Zepto, Blinkit & Instamart orders with ease & increase your Fill Rates

What Is a Waybill: Meaning, Types, & Role in Ecommerce Logistics

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, efficient logistics are crucial to ensuring timely delivery and smooth operations. One vital element of this logistics framework is the waybill. A waybill serves as an essential document in shipping, detailing all the necessary information about the movement of goods from one location to another. It acts as a receipt for the goods being transported and provides a tracking mechanism that allows both businesses and customers to monitor the progress of shipments.

Understanding the concept of waybills, their types, and their role in ecommerce logistics is crucial for businesses looking to optimise their supply chain processes. This article delves into the various aspects of what a waybill is, the different types available, and their significance in streamlining ecommerce operations.

What Is a Waybill?

A waybill is a document that provides a detailed description of the shipment, including essential information such as the sender’s and recipient’s details, the goods being shipped, and the terms of delivery. It acts as a receipt and serves as proof that the goods have been shipped. Depending on the logistics provider and the technology used, a waybill can be either paper-based or digital.

What Does a Waybill Include?

A typical waybill will include:

  • Sender and recipient details: Name, address, and contact information.
  • Shipment details: Description of the goods, including quantity and weight.
  • Tracking information: Unique waybill number for tracking the shipment.
  • Terms of service: Delivery terms and conditions, including payment details.

The waybill is a formal document that both the sender and receiver can use to verify and track the status of the shipment.

Types of Waybills in Ecommerce

1. Air Waybill (AWB)

An air waybill (AWB) is used for shipments that are being transported by air. It is typically issued by the airline or the logistics provider facilitating the air transport. AWBs are essential for international e-commerce shipments and ensure that goods are tracked throughout their journey via air.

2. Sea Waybill

A sea waybill is used for goods transported by sea, often in international shipping contexts. Unlike the air waybill, a sea waybill is not negotiable, which means it does not confer ownership of goods. However, it provides similar tracking information, ensuring the safe delivery of goods by sea.

3. Road Waybill

Road waybills are used when goods are transported by land, typically in domestic shipping. They provide information on the goods being transported, the expected delivery routes, and the recipient’s details.

4. Multimodal Waybill

A multimodal waybill is used when goods are transported using more than one mode of transportation. This type of waybill provides a unified document that covers the entire journey, from air to sea to road.

The Role of Waybill in Ecommerce Logistics

Tracking Shipments with a Waybill

Waybill tracking is an essential aspect of the e-commerce logistics process. By using the unique waybill number, businesses and customers can track the status of their shipments at any point along the way. Most logistics providers offer online portals that allow for easy tracking via waybill numbers, ensuring full transparency and peace of mind for all parties involved.

Waybill System for Efficient Shipping

A waybill system enhances shipping efficiency by digitising the process, ensuring quicker processing and real-time updates. It also allows businesses to streamline their operations by automating the creation of waybills and providing a centralised platform for tracking shipments.

Waybill Number Meaning & Importance

Understanding the Waybill Number

The waybill number is a unique identifier assigned to each shipment. It helps to track and manage the shipment’s progress through various stages of transportation. The number is typically composed of a series of alphanumeric characters, making it easy to reference and track.

How to Create a Waybill Number?

Creating a waybill number is usually done through the logistics provider’s portal or system. It is generated automatically when a shipment is processed, ensuring that each shipment has a unique identifier. This number is crucial for both the sender and the recipient to track the shipment and confirm its delivery status.

Waybill Tracking and Portal

How to Track a Waybill?

Most modern logistics companies facilitate way bill tracking via online portals. By entering the waybill number, users can access real-time information about their shipment, including its current location, estimated delivery time, and any potential delays.

Using the Waybill Portal for Efficient Management

A waybill portal is a digital platform on which businesses can more effectively manage their shipments. It provides access to tracking details and shipment status and allows for easier management of returns and claims. These portals improve the efficiency of logistics operations, reducing manual processes and enhancing overall customer satisfaction.

Difference Between Waybill and Bill of Lading

Waybill vs Bill of Lading

The waybill and bill of lading are often confused, but they serve different purposes. A waybill is a non-negotiable document that serves as a receipt for the goods, while a bill of lading is a negotiable document that proves ownership of the goods. The key difference lies in their legal implications and their role in transferring ownership during transit.

Legal Implications

While the waybill is primarily a receipt for the goods being transported, the bill of lading plays a larger role in determining ownership, especially in international trade. The waybill does not transfer ownership, whereas the bill of lading can be used to transfer the rights to the goods during transit.

Waybill Validity Check

Checking the validity of a way bill is critical to ensure that the shipment has been processed correctly and is legitimate. A valid waybill guarantees that the shipment is on its way and can be tracked, providing security for both the sender and the receiver.

How to Check Waybill Validity?

Waybill validity can typically be checked through the logistics provider’s portal or by contacting customer service. Verification ensures that the shipment details are correct and the shipment has been authorised for transport.

How to Create a Waybill Online?

Creating a waybill online is a simple process through most e-commerce logistics platforms. After inputting shipment details like the sender and recipient’s address, product information, and preferred shipping method, a waybill number is automatically generated.

How to Get a Waybill from Carriers or Logistics Partners?

Logistics companies typically provide waybills through their online portals. By partnering with third-party logistics providers, e-commerce businesses can easily generate and manage waybills for all their shipments, ensuring smooth and transparent delivery processes.

How WareIQ Can Help with Waybilling for Your Ecommerce Business?

WareIQ can significantly streamline the way billing process for e-commerce businesses by offering a comprehensive, technology-driven solution that integrates seamlessly with your existing operations. Waybilling, a critical part of logistics and shipping, involves creating, tracking, and managing waybills for shipments. With WareIQ, you can automate and centralise your waybilling operations, making the process faster, more accurate, and highly efficient.

Our solution includes:

  1. A Pan-India network of Seller Flex & FAssured compliant facilities in 12+ cities, managed by WareIQ, with shipping partners for last-mile delivery covering 27000+ pin codes.
  2. A Multi-Channel Fulfilment Platform featuring plug-and-play integrations with marketplaces (Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Nykaa, etc.), D2C platforms (Shopify, Magento, Woocommerce, etc.), WMS, and ERPs. This supports fulfilment across distributors, flagship stores, and eCommerce channels, with analytics capabilities for assessing operational performance.
  3. Inventory LogIQ: An AI-powered multi-channel inventory planning solution that minimises stockouts and automates replenishment.
  4. A tech-enabled returns QC solution that captures, centrally stores, and auto-indexes HD media evidence of damaged or missing returned products, helping to eliminate marketplace claims rejections.
  5. Comprehensive seller enablement and support, including a dedicated account manager, APOB/PPOB registrations, GST registration, NDR & COD verification, and more.

By integrating WareIQ, ecommerce businesses can simplify logistics management, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure smooth order fulfilment, from generating waybills to tracking shipments. This results in faster delivery times, greater accuracy, and improved customer satisfaction.

Suggested – Commercial Invoice: Importance, Components, and Best Practices

Conclusion

Waybills play an indispensable role in ecommerce logistics by streamlining shipment tracking, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring a smooth delivery process. Understanding the different types of waybills, their significance in logistics, and how to create and track them can greatly enhance the overall customer experience in e-commerce.

Adopting a waybill system that integrates seamlessly with logistics operations offers businesses the opportunity to optimise their supply chain, reduce errors, and offer faster, more reliable delivery to customers.

FAQs About Waybill

What is a waybill used for?

A waybill is used to track shipments, acting as a receipt and proof of delivery.

How do I create a way-bill for my e-commerce shipment?

You can create a waybill through logistics portals by entering shipment details.

What is the difference between a waybill and a bill of lading?

A waybill is non-negotiable, while a bill of lading is negotiable and transfers ownership of goods.

How can I track my shipment using a waybill number?

Waybill tracking can be done by entering the number into the logistics provider’s tracking system.

Is waybill validity important in e-commerce logistics?

Yes, validating the waybill ensures the shipment is authorised and can be tracked properly.

Mariyam Jameela
Author

Mariyam Jameela

Mariyam Jameela works as a content writer at WareIQ. With a proven track record of working with renowned brands such as GO Digit, Urban Ladder, Juspay, Hong's Kitchen, and many more. She actively contributes to the creation of blog posts centered on eCommerce operations, fulfillment, and shipping, in addition to providing insights on various strategies and techniques tailored for eCommerce sellers

Read all of Mariyam Jameela's Posts