Freight Forwarder

Also known as:

Export Freight Clerk

Introduction

Freight forwarders ensure that cargo is moved quickly and efficiently between countries. They select carriers and routes, negotiate cargo space and handle all the necessary paperwork. They are also responsible for insuring cargo and keeping up-to-date with trade regulations.

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Work Activities

Freight forwarders arrange the movement of goods in or out of the country on behalf of importers and exporters. They have to ensure that this is done as quickly, efficiently and economically as possible.

Freight forwarders use computers a lot in their work. Their duties are likely to include selecting routes and carriers (road, rail, sea and air operators), booking cargo space, negotiating rates and schedules, calculating the weight, volume and and costs of the goods to be moved, organising insurance, arranging for the packing, collection and storage of goods and preparing contracts, invoices and quotations.

Much of their work is administrative and involves different types of documents required for: clearing goods through customs, organising payments to carriers, paying duties and taxes, cargo tracking and arranging delivery to the customer. They must keep accurate and up to date records (paper based and online).

The majority of a freight forwarder's time is spent communicating with other people (such as clients, transport operators, agents overseas and customs agencies) mostly by email, fax and phone but also by letter.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As so much business is conducted over the telephone, you must have a clear speaking voice. You must be able to explain complex issues to clients in a clear and simple way. In some instances, the people you speak to will not speak English as a first language.

You will also need common sense and patience, and you must be able to pay strict attention to detail. You should be good at planning and problem solving, able to understand and handle complex details and you should have good number skills.

Teamworking skills are important and, for some jobs, it helps to have knowledge of a foreign language.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates vary from company to company.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Freight forwarders earn in the range of £18,500 - £22,500 a year, rising to £25,000 - £27,500. Higher earners can make around £32,000 a year. Freight forwarders usually work a 37-40 hour week Monday to Friday, and some Saturday work may be required. Overtime may also be available.

Employment opportunities throughout the UK are with logistics or freight forwarding companies. These range from small local firms, through national companies with several offices and warehousing facilities, to major international concerns with bases in the UK and overseas.

There may also be opportunities with major retail companies, warehousing and distribution firms and the armed forces.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Previous work experience in administration or customer service would be an advantage.

• 14% of people in occupations such as freight forwarding work part-time.
• 12% have flexible hours.

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