Description
Coordinate and manage international inbound shipments for importers. Research rates and routings, ensure compliance with customs and partner-government agency requirements, and arrange drayage, storage, deconsolidation, and final-mile delivery.
- • Select import shipment routes and modes based on cargo, transit time, and security.
- • Determine efficient and cost-effective methods for moving inbound goods to final destination.
- • Reserve space with ocean, air, rail, or truck carriers for import shipments.
- • Arrange port drayage, deconsolidation, warehousing, or final delivery for arriving cargo.
- • Arrange special handling for temperature-controlled, hazardous, or sensitive imported cargo.
- • Assist clients with cargo insurance claims on import moves.
- • Calculate shipment weight, volume, freight charges, duties, taxes, and landed costs.
- • Prepare or collect import documents, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, and certificates of origin.
- • Consolidate LCL or airfreight imports to reduce costs for multiple shippers.
- • Advise clients on import options, ETAs, carrier schedules, cutoffs, holds, and regulatory impacts.
- • Maintain records of inbound shipments, receipts, and delivery confirmations.
- • Stay current on import regulations, sanctions, tariffs, and trade agreements affecting cargo.
- • Track and trace inbound cargo and provide milestone updates.
- • Negotiate import rates and surcharges with carriers, consolidators, and truckers.
- • Obtain or arrange cargo insurance for import shipments.
- • Arrange payment or coordinate billing for freight, duties, taxes, and accessorial charges.
- • Prepare import freight quotations and cost breakdowns.
- • Recommend packing and marking to meet import handling and country-of-origin marking rules.
- • Verify packaging, labeling, and marking of incoming goods meet destination regulations.
- • Review documents for accuracy and compliance with customs and partner-government agency requirements.
- • Coordinate customs clearance, including entry filings through brokers and PGA releases.
- • Submit or coordinate Importer Security Filing (ISF/10+2) and other pre-arrival data.
- • Arrange and manage interactions with customs brokers, inspectors, and terminals.
- • Provide port, terminal, and CFS procedures and fee information to importers.
- • Issue arrival notices and delivery orders and notify clients of shipment status.
- • Refer clients to specialists in trade compliance, classification, financing, or marine insurance.
- • Analyze inbound routing and consolidation options to reduce environmental impact.
- • Select carriers and modes with lower emissions when feasible for imports.
- • Consider sustainability when advising on packing, deconsolidation, and delivery plans.
- • Recommend import logistics solutions that balance cost, speed, and environmental impact.
- • Review carriers’ environmental and compliance records to inform import decisions.
- • Manage port fees, demurrage, and detention to minimize costs and delays.
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Supply Chain & Transportation
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
