Businesses need to fill orders and move shipments as quickly as possible. Cargo and freight agents help make that happen. Whatever the size, route, or nature of the shipment, these agents organize the details of getting cargo from the place of origin to its destination swiftly and efficiently. Cargo and freight agents take orders from customers and arrange transportation of the freight to the loading platform. They prepare all necessary documents, such as insurance forms and descriptions of the cargo: amount, type, weight, and dimensions. If the goods are being imported or exported, the agent arranges the required clearances to navigate through Customs. Agents make sure the cargo is placed in shipping containers in correct order for unloading at its destination, and they calculate shipping costs. Expedited delivery requests may require making multiple arrangements for the same cargo load. Upon cargo arrival, freight agents check for missing items, record any damage that has occurred, then arrange payment and pick-up by customers. While part of their work day is spent in an office, these agents also work in airline, train, and trucking terminals, and at shipping docks. Evening and weekend hours are common. A high school diploma is the typical entry level requirement.
What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
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 including bills of lading, packing lists, dock receipts, or certificates of origin.
Business
customer service
administrative services
Transportation
movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Arts and Humanities
English language
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Basic Skills
keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
reading work related information
Social
changing what is done based on other people's actions
looking for ways to help people
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
read and understand what is written
Math
choose the right type of math to solve a problem
add, subtract, multiply, or divide
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
order or arrange things
People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Stress Tolerance
Dependability
Integrity
Cooperation
Achievement/Effort
You might use software like this on the job:
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
Arcline ArcFreight
CargoWise ediEnterprise
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
SAP
Electronic mail software
Email software
Microsoft Outlook
high school diploma/GED or some college usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
$41,820
$25,670
$65,600
You might like a career in one of these industries:
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