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Get an inside look (literally) at the world of shipping and receiving as a camera records the whole shipping process from inside a package. Does having a hand in this process interest you?

Explore how items from all over the world get to you.

Dive into this overview of a popular organizational philosophy and get started on your own system to up your productivity and start getting things done!

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Read an article about the typical responsibilities of a freight forwarder, included the other positions they work with and roadblocks they might encounter. Is this a career you're interested in?

Learn about a day in the life of a freight forwarder.

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.

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

First Interest High-Point

Second Interest High-Point

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Third Interest High-Point

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Cargo and Freight Agents

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

Material Recording, Scheduling, Dispatching, and Distributing Workers

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 bills of lading, packing lists, dock receipts, or certificates of origin.

Provide shipment status notification to exporters, consignees, or insurers.

Verify proper packaging and labeling of exported goods.

Prepare invoices or cost quotations for freight transportation.

Select shipment routes, based on nature of goods shipped, transit times, or security needs.

Keep records of goods dispatched or received.

Consolidate loads with a common destination to reduce costs to individual shippers.

Monitor or record locations of goods in transit.

Reserve necessary space on ships, aircraft, trains, or trucks.

Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.

Arrange delivery or storage of goods at destinations.

Verify adherence of documentation to customs, insurance, or regulatory requirements.

Determine efficient and cost-effective methods of moving goods from one location to another.

Pay or arrange for payment of freight or insurance fees or other charges.

Make arrangements with customs brokers to facilitate the passage of goods through customs.

Recommend or arrange appropriate merchandise packing methods, according to climate, terrain, weight, nature of goods, or costs.

Maintain current knowledge of relevant legislation, political situations, or other factors that could affect freight shipping.

Provide detailed port information to importers or exporters.

Arrange for special transport of sensitive cargoes, such as livestock, food, or medical supplies.

Arrange for applicable duties, taxes, or paperwork for customs clearance.

Refer exporters to experts in areas such as trade financing, international marketing, government export requirements, international banking, or marine insurance.

Assist clients in obtaining insurance reimbursements.

Analyze shipping routes to determine how to minimize environmental impact.

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.

Consider environmental sustainability factors when determining merchandise packing methods.

Recommend shipping solutions to minimize cost or environmental impacts.

Review the environmental records of freight carriers to inform shipping decisions.

Freight Forwarders

Overview

Career

What Freight Forwarders Do

Other Job Titles Freight Forwarders May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Freight Forwarders

Overview

Career

What Freight Forwarders Do

Other Job Titles Freight Forwarders May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Freight Forwarders

Majors Related to Career