Freight Forwarders

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Office & Administrative
• O*NET-SOC code: 43-5011
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.
• Arrange for special transport of sensitive cargoes, such as livestock, food, or medical supplies.
• Arrange for applicable duties, taxes, or paperwork for customs clearance.
• 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.
• Complete customs paperwork.
• Prepare invoices or cost quotations for freight transportation.
• Select shipment routes, based on nature of goods shipped, transit times, or security needs.
• Calculate weight, volume, or cost of goods to be moved.
• Arrange delivery or storage of goods at destinations.
• 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.
• Determine efficient and cost-effective methods of moving goods from one location to another.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, SAP software, AESDirect, Arcline ArcFreight, CEDAS Gateway, CargoWise ediEnterprise, Desktop computers, Email software

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Cargo and Freight Agents
• Customs Brokers
• Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
• Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
• Postal Service Clerks
• Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
• Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
• First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Freight Forwarders — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.