American Airlines Cargo tracking
How to track my American Airlines Cargo package?
To track a American Airlines Cargo package, make sure you have the tracking number provided by the sender or the retailer. This unique code gives you access to all the information related to your shipment.
Enter this number in the search field and confirm. The most recent tracking data will be displayed automatically.
A detailed timeline then traces your package's journey: current location, completed transit stages, and estimated delivery date. This information is updated at each new stage, allowing you to follow your shipment's progress in real time.
About American Airlines Cargo
American Airlines Cargo operates as the freight division of American Airlines, transporting international and domestic shipments across networks in Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, and Asia-Pacific. The Fort Worth-based carrier was established in 1946 and maintains formal claims processes with customer service available year-round.
How to contact American Airlines Cargo?
If you are experiencing issues with the delivery process managed by American Airlines Cargo, please do not hesitate to contact their customer support.
What should I do if my American Airlines Cargo parcel is lost or damaged?
American Airlines Cargo maintains a formal claims process for shipments that arrive damaged, arrive with shortages, or are not delivered. Claims are initiated through the carrier's dedicated online claims portal, where the claimant enters the 11-digit air waybill number including the 001 prefix and the date the air waybill was tendered. After submission, the carrier investigates and aims to provide a final resolution within 30 to 60 days. If additional documentation or information is needed during the investigation, the claims team contacts the claimant directly to request it.
- Claims submission: Initiated through the carrier's dedicated online claims portal using the AWB number and the tender date
- AWB format required: The 11-digit air waybill number with the 001 airline prefix must be provided at the time of submission
- Resolution timeline: The carrier targets a final resolution within 30 to 60 days of claim submission
- Appeal deadline: Any appeal of a claims decision must be filed within 30 days of receiving the resolution; this is a strict deadline
- Claims status inquiries: The carrier's claims administration team can be contacted by email for status updates on an active claim
- General claims assistance: A separate email contact is available for help completing claim forms or for general questions about the process
- Customer service phone: 1-800-CARGOAA (1-800-227-4622) and 800-777-6931, available every day of the year
Claims are subject to the liability limits set out under the Montreal Convention for international shipments and applicable domestic regulations for U.S. domestic freight. Shippers who require coverage above the standard liability limits are advised to arrange dedicated cargo insurance separately, either through their freight forwarder or an independent insurer, before tendering the shipment. American Airlines Cargo does not act as an insurer, and the carrier's standard liability is capped under the terms of the applicable international convention or domestic tariff.
Does American Airlines Cargo handle international shipments and customs formalities?
American Airlines Cargo moves international freight across a network that spans Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, and Asia-Pacific. The carrier's operations are structured to support the movement of commercial freight across borders, but customs clearance is the responsibility of the shipper or consignee and is typically handled through a freight forwarder or licensed customs broker. For shipments arriving in the United States, customs entry and clearance must be completed at the first international airport of entry, which is the standard procedure under U.S. Customs and Border Protection rules. A shipment arriving at Miami from Buenos Aires, for example, would be processed through customs at Miami before being released for collection or onward transport.
Documentation requirements for international shipments depend on the commodity, its declared value, and the destination country's import regulations. Commercial shipments generally require a commercial invoice, a packing list, and the air waybill. For regulated commodities such as pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, live animals, and dangerous goods, additional permits, health certificates, or government-issued documentation may be required before the shipment can be exported or imported. For dangerous goods, two signed copies of the Shipper's Declaration of Dangerous Goods are required in all cases.
- Customs responsibility: Customs entry and duty payment are the responsibility of the shipper or consignee, typically arranged through a freight forwarder or customs broker
- U.S. import clearance: International shipments destined for U.S. territory must clear customs at the first port of entry into the United States
- Standard documentation: Commercial invoice, packing list, and air waybill are required for most commercial international shipments
- Dangerous goods declaration: Two signed copies of a Shipper's Declaration of Dangerous Goods are required for all regulated dangerous goods shipments
- Transatlantic restrictions: Munitions of war are not accepted on transatlantic flights
- Lithium battery restrictions: Lithium ion batteries classified under UN3480, Section IA, IB, and Section II are not accepted for carriage
- Live animal restrictions: Animals prohibited by the destination country, or animals classified as dangerous or offensive, are not accepted under the PetEmbark program
- Dry ice: Accepted as a refrigerant for non-dangerous goods without a Shipper's Declaration, but still treated as a regulated dangerous good and handled accordingly
American Airlines Cargo's tracking portal integrates U.S. Customs status information directly into the shipment tracking view for international freight, giving shippers and consignees visibility into customs clearance progress without needing to query a separate government system. The carrier does not operate a Delivered Duty Paid program, as its model is airport-to-airport. All duty and tax payments, as well as customs brokerage arrangements, are handled by the shipper's logistics provider at the destination.
Understanding tracking statuses
When tracking a shipment through American Airlines Cargo, the online portal displays a graphic status bar alongside a detailed chronological history of each stage in the shipment's journey. The tracking system is built around the 11-digit air waybill number, which begins with the three-digit airline prefix 001 followed by an eight-digit AWB number. The standard format is 001-XXXXXXXX. The portal also integrates U.S. Customs information for international shipments, covering AWB details and customs clearance status in a single unified view. Below is an explanation of the main tracking statuses that appear as a shipment moves through the network.
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Booking Confirmation | The air waybill has been created and a booking has been confirmed on a specific flight. At this stage, the cargo has not yet been physically tendered at the origin cargo facility. This status confirms that the shipment is registered in the system and assigned to a planned departure. |
| Cargo Received | The shipment has been physically accepted at the origin cargo facility and checked in against the air waybill. American Airlines Cargo has taken physical possession of the freight at this point, and it has entered the active cargo circuit ready for processing and loading. |
| Cargo Manifested | The shipment has been added to the flight manifest for a specific departure. The cargo is now formally assigned to a particular aircraft and departure time, and loading planning is underway for that flight. |
| Plane Departed | The aircraft carrying the cargo has departed from the origin airport. The shipment is in transit and on board the flight, heading to the next destination in its routing, whether a final destination or a connecting hub. |
| Plane Arrived | The aircraft has landed at the destination or a connecting airport. The cargo has not yet been offloaded and processed into the receiving facility at this stage, but the flight has completed its journey to that airport. |
| Cargo Received (at destination) | The cargo has been offloaded from the aircraft and received into the destination cargo facility. The shipment is now available or being prepared for collection by the consignee or authorized agent at the destination airport. |
| Cargo Delivered / Collected | The consignee or an authorized agent has collected the cargo from the destination airport cargo facility. This status marks the completion of the shipment's journey through the American Airlines Cargo network. |
Where can I find my American Airlines Cargo tracking number?
The American Airlines Cargo tracking number is automatically sent when your package is shipped. As the recipient, you receive it by email, SMS, or directly on the order confirmation page of the retailer's website.
If you cannot find it in your notifications, log in to your customer account on the website where you placed your order. The tracking number can be found in your order history or in the section dedicated to ongoing deliveries.
Once you have this number, enter it in the search field to check your delivery progress and estimated arrival date.
Why isn't my American Airlines Cargo package moving in the package tracking history?
When your American Airlines Cargo package tracking hasn't updated for several days, several factors may explain this delay: customs formalities for international shipments, logistical incidents, or simply a delay in updating the information.
Before taking any action, verify that the delivery address provided during the order is correct. An error or incomplete information can slow down the shipping process. If the delay persists beyond the announced timeframe, contact American Airlines Cargo customer service or the sender with your tracking number on hand. They will be able to precisely locate your package and, if necessary, open an investigation to determine the cause of the delay.
When I track my American Airlines Cargo package, why does it show as "returned"?
A "returned" status means that the package has been sent back to the sender. Several situations can explain this return:
The delivery driver was unable to identify the recipient due to an incorrect, illegible, or incomplete address missing essential information (apartment number, access code, etc.).
After several unsuccessful attempts and in the absence of collection within the allotted time, the package is automatically returned to its origin point.
The recipient did not collect the package from the post office or pickup point within the holding period, usually 15 days.
For international shipments, missing or incomplete documents or an incorrect value declaration can result in customs clearance refusal and the return of the package.
If your package shows this status, contact the sender or American Airlines Cargo customer service to find out the exact reason for the return and agree on a solution: a new shipment or refund according to the seller's terms.
Why does the American Airlines Cargo parcel tracking timeline indicate that my order cannot be found?
If no information appears when tracking your American Airlines Cargo package, several causes are possible:
Make sure that the number entered matches exactly the one provided by the sender. A single character error prevents the package from being identified.
Tracking information is only available once the package has been picked up by American Airlines Cargo. A delay of 24 to 48 hours may occur between the notification being sent and the first status update.
Temporary malfunctions can sometimes affect the online tracking system. In this case, try again later or contact American Airlines Cargo customer service for assistance.