How do I track an AWB number starting with 987?

Enter your full 11-digit AWB number (987-XXXXXXXX) in the tracker at the top of this page. TraceAWB will instantly open China Express Airlines's official cargo tracking page with your shipment pre-loaded.

What if my AWB prefix doesn't match any airline?

If your AWB prefix does not match a known airline, it may be a House AWB (HAWB) issued by a freight forwarder rather than the actual airline. For tracking on the airline's official portal, you need the Master AWB (MAWB), which your freight forwarder can provide.

Prefix Decoded

What is AWB Prefix 987?

Q: What airline has AWB prefix 987?

AWB prefix 987 belongs to China Express Airlines (IATA code G5), based in China (People's Republic of). All air waybills issued by China Express Airlines start with 987-XXXXXXXX.

Q: How many digits is an IATA AWB prefix?

An IATA AWB prefix is always exactly 3 digits (000–999). It is the first part of an 11-digit air waybill number in the format XXX-XXXXXXXX. Prefix 987 belongs to China Express Airlines.

Q: Is 987 the only AWB prefix for China Express Airlines?

Yes, 987 is the IATA-assigned AWB prefix exclusively for China Express Airlines. Each IATA member airline has a unique 3-digit prefix. China Express Airlines's prefix is 987, so all their air waybills follow the 987-XXXXXXXX format.

AWB prefix 987 is the IATA-assigned airline identification code for China Express Airlines (G5), based in China (People's Republic of). Every air waybill issued by China Express Airlines begins with the digits 987, followed by a hyphen and an 8-digit shipment serial number — giving a total of 11 digits in the format 987-XXXXXXXX.

When you see a cargo AWB beginning with 987, you can be certain it was issued by China Express Airlines or by a freight forwarder acting on their behalf. China Express Airlines operates as a Scheduled Cargo & Passenger Network, with its primary hub at Major International Hub (HUB). Typical air transit times range from 1 to 3 business days depending on origin and destination.

The IATA prefix system assigns a unique 3-digit code to every member airline, ensuring there is no ambiguity in airway bill identification across the global air freight network. Prefix 987 is exclusively reserved for China Express Airlines and cannot be used by any other carrier. For detailed shipment status, use the tracker above to reach China Express Airlines's official tracking portal instantly.

Prefix 987 — Quick Reference

Prefix Number987

Airline

China Express Airlines

IATA CodeG5

ICAO CodeHXA

CountryChina (People's Republic of)

HubMajor International Hub (HUB)

AWB Format987-XXXXXXXX

Cargo TypeScheduled Cargo & Passenger Network

Transit Time1–3 days

Official SiteVisit

Format Guide

How to Read an AWB Starting with 987

The 11-digit IATA airway bill number is split into two parts separated by a hyphen. The first three digits (987) tell you instantly which airline issued it.

987

Airline Prefix
→ China Express Airlines

-

12345678

Shipment Serial
(8 digits)

987 always identifies China Express Airlines as the issuing carrier. The 8-digit serial is unique to each shipment. Together: 987-12345678 is a complete, valid China Express Airlines airway bill.

Prefix Lookup

Look Up Any AWB Prefix

Have a different AWB prefix? Enter any 3-digit IATA prefix below to identify the airline and get instant tracking.

Enter Any AWB Prefix

Type the first 3 digits of your airway bill number

Prefix Range 900–999

AWB Prefixes Near 987

Not sure you have the right prefix? Browse nearby IATA AWB prefixes to find the correct airline for your air waybill.

Prefix	Airline	Country	IATA	Track
982	Air Busan	Global	BX	View
983	Air Canada Jazz	Global	QK	View
985	LATAM Cargo Colombia	Global	L7	View
987 You are here	China Express Airlines	China (People's Republic of)	G5	Track
988	Asiana Airlines	Korea, Republic of	OZ	View
990	Lion Airlines	Indonesia	JT	View
992	DHL Aero Expreso	Global	D5	View
994	AIRZETA	Korea, Republic of	KJ	View

Browse by Range

All AWB Prefix Ranges

IATA assigns AWB prefixes across the full 000–999 range. Browse all prefixes by range to find any airline.

000–099 100–199 200–299 300–399 400–499 500–599 600–699 700–799 800–899 900–999

← See the full AWB prefix index (all 440+ airlines)

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about AWB Prefix 987

What airline has AWB prefix 987? +

AWB prefix 987 belongs to China Express Airlines (IATA code G5, ICAO code HXA), based in China (People's Republic of). All air waybills with this prefix follow the format 987-XXXXXXXX and were issued by China Express Airlines or by a freight forwarder on their behalf.

How do I track an AWB starting with 987? +

Enter your full 11-digit AWB number — 987-XXXXXXXX — into the tracker at the top of this page and click "Track". TraceAWB identifies prefix 987 as China Express Airlines and opens their official cargo tracking portal with your shipment pre-loaded.

What does AWB prefix 987 mean? +

In the IATA air cargo numbering system, the first three digits of any air waybill identify the issuing airline. Prefix 987 is exclusively assigned to China Express Airlines. The remaining eight digits (after the hyphen) are the unique shipment serial number assigned to your individual cargo. The two parts together form a globally unique shipment identifier: 987-XXXXXXXX.

How many digits is an IATA AWB prefix? +

An IATA AWB prefix is always exactly 3 digits (ranging from 000 to 999). It forms the first part of an 11-digit air waybill number in the standard format XXX-XXXXXXXX. Prefix 987 identifies China Express Airlines. IATA maintains a registry of all assigned prefixes and each is unique to one airline.

What is the difference between a Master AWB and a House AWB? +

A Master Air Waybill (MAWB) is issued by the airline — in this case China Express Airlines — directly to the freight forwarder. It begins with the airline's prefix: 987. A House Air Waybill (HAWB) is issued by the freight forwarder to the individual shipper and uses the forwarder's own numbering system. For tracking on China Express Airlines's official portal, you need the MAWB starting with 987-. If you only have a HAWB, ask your freight forwarder for the corresponding MAWB.

Is 987 the only AWB prefix for China Express Airlines? +

Yes. 987 is the single IATA-assigned AWB prefix exclusively for China Express Airlines. IATA assigns one unique 3-digit prefix per airline. No other carrier uses prefix 987, so whenever you see an airway bill starting with 987, it is guaranteed to be a China Express Airlines shipment.

What if my 987 AWB shows no tracking status? +

Tracking status for a 987 AWB may not appear immediately after booking. It becomes visible only after the cargo has been physically accepted at a China Express Airlines cargo terminal and the AWB has been activated in their system. This typically takes 2–8 hours after acceptance. If your AWB still shows no status after 12 hours, contact China Express Airlines cargo customer service or your freight forwarder directly.