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.
Also known as: Air Cargo Agent, Air Export Agent, Air Export Clerk, Air Export Coordinator, Air Freight Forwarder, Cargo Agent, Domestic Freight Forwarder, Export Clerk, ...
Annual Salary
Median annual wage (May 2024)
Job Outlook
Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Much faster than average)
What You'd Do
- Select shipment routes, based on nature of goods shipped, transit times, or security needs.
- Determine efficient and cost-effective methods of moving goods from one location to another.
- Reserve necessary space on ships, aircraft, trains, or trucks.
- Arrange delivery or storage of goods at destinations.
- Arrange for special transport of sensitive cargoes, such as livestock, food, or medical supplies.
- Calculate weight, volume, or cost of goods to be moved.
- Prepare shipping documentation, such as bills of lading, packing lists, dock receipts, or certificates of origin.
- Consolidate loads with a common destination to reduce costs to individual shippers.
- Inform clients of factors such as shipping options, timelines, transfers, or regulations affecting shipments.
- Keep records of goods dispatched or received.
- Maintain current knowledge of relevant legislation, political situations, or other factors that could affect freight shipping.
- Monitor or record locations of goods in transit.
- Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.
- Obtain or arrange cargo insurance.
- Pay or arrange for payment of freight or insurance fees or other charges.
- Prepare invoices or cost quotations for freight transportation.
- Verify proper packaging and labeling of exported goods.
- Verify adherence of documentation to customs, insurance, or regulatory requirements.
- Arrange for applicable duties, taxes, or paperwork for customs clearance.
- Complete customs paperwork.
Top Skills
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Knowledge Areas
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level
Technology & Tools
Software and tools commonly used in this role
In-Demand Technologies
Other Tools
Work Styles
Personality traits and work styles important for this career
Key Abilities
Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Work Activities
General types of job behaviors occurring on this job
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Work Environment
Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work
Related Careers
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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.