Freight forwarders research rates, routings, or modes of transport for shipment of products. Maintain awareness of regulations affecting the international movement of cargo. Make arrangements for additional services, such as storage or inland transportation.

  • Calculate weight, volume, or cost of goods to be moved.
  • Inform clients of factors such as shipping options, timelines, transfers, or regulations affecting shipments.
  • Prepare shipping documentation, such as bills of lading, packing lists, dock receipts, or certificates of origin.
  • Provide shipment status notification to exporters, consignees, or insurers.
  • Verify proper packaging and labeling of exported goods.
  • Prepare invoices or cost quotations for freight transportation.
  • Select shipment routes, based on nature of goods shipped, transit times, or security needs.
  • Keep records of goods dispatched or received.
  • Consolidate loads with a common destination to reduce costs to individual shippers.
  • Monitor or record locations of goods in transit.
  • Reserve necessary space on ships, aircraft, trains, or trucks.
  • Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.
  • Arrange delivery or storage of goods at destinations.
  • Verify adherence of documentation to customs, insurance, or regulatory requirements.
  • Determine efficient and cost-effective methods of moving goods from one location to another.
  • Pay or arrange for payment of freight or insurance fees or other charges.
  • Make arrangements with customs brokers to facilitate the passage of goods through customs.
  • Recommend or arrange appropriate merchandise packing methods, according to climate, terrain, weight, nature of goods, or costs.
  • Maintain current knowledge of relevant legislation, political situations, or other factors that could affect freight shipping.
  • Provide detailed port information to importers or exporters.
  • Arrange for special transport of sensitive cargoes, such as livestock, food, or medical supplies.
  • Obtain or arrange cargo insurance.
  • Complete customs paperwork.
  • Arrange for applicable duties, taxes, or paperwork for customs clearance.
  • Refer exporters to experts in areas such as trade financing, international marketing, government export requirements, international banking, or marine insurance.
  • Assist clients in obtaining insurance reimbursements.
  • Analyze shipping routes to determine how to minimize environmental impact.
  • Arrange for transport, using a variety of modes, such as rail, short sea shipping, air, or roadways, to minimize carbon emissions or other environmental impacts.
  • Consider environmental sustainability factors when determining merchandise packing methods.
  • Recommend shipping solutions to minimize cost or environmental impacts.
  • Review the environmental records of freight carriers to inform shipping decisions.
Work Context
  • Telephone — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Electronic Mail — 96% responded "Every day".
  • Time Pressure — 79% responded "Every day".
  • Contact With Others — 84% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Spend Time Sitting — 71% responded "Continually or almost continually".
  • Frequency of Decision Making — 76% responded "Every day".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 69% responded "Extremely important".
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Work Activities
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Analyze shipping information to make routing decisions.
  • Analyze shipping information to make routing decisions.
  • Analyze shipping information to make routing decisions.
  • Analyze shipping information to make routing decisions.
  • Assist individuals with paperwork.
  • Calculate shipping costs.
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Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Transportation
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Skills

Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Coordination
  • Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Monitoring
  • Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
Electronic mail software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology
  • Email software
Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office Hot Technology
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Education

Get started on your career:

Job Outlook

New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Salary
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