Import-export clerk
Import-export clerks ship goods to and from the UK by road, rail, air and sea.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
In your day-to-day duties you could:
- manage freight bookings using a computer system
- check that tax and customs documents are correct
- work with national and international suppliers and agents
- arrange freight deliveries and collections between ports, airports and warehouses
- handle invoices and payments
- keep clients up to date and deal with problems or delays
Working environment
You could work in a warehouse or in an office.
Career path and progression
With experience you could become an import-export manager, a specialist in international trade law or an overseas account manager.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
- knowledge of geography
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- customer service skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to work well with others
- administration skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- specialist courses run by professional bodies
You could do a degree before applying to join an organisation's management training scheme.
Employers accept most subjects but you might have an advantage if you study:
- transport and distribution management
- logistics and supply chain management
- business and management
- foreign languages with business studies
Choosing a degree with an industry placement or a summer internship could help you to get relevant skills and might be useful when you apply for jobs.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
You could do an international freight forwarding advanced apprenticeship.
It will take a year and 6 months to complete as a mix of learning on the job and study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
You could start as an admin assistant in a freight forwarding or logistics department and work your way up through training and promotion.
You'll find it useful to have office experience and computer skills.
You're likely to need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths. Some employers might want you to have A levels or higher education qualifications.
You could do an introductory course in logistics, transport or international trade.
You can find courses offered by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and the Institute of Export and International Trade.
Career tips
You'll find it useful to speak a foreign language if the company operates internationally.
Further information
You can find out more about working in logistics and transport from The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and Generation Logistics.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.