Cargo Coordinator / Freight Forwarder
Quick Facts
Median Salary$52,607
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth+14.94%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Cargo Coordinator or Freight Forwarder manages shipments of cargo or freight for a company or client. Identifies the best options for transporting cargo, arranges shipments, monitors carriers, tracks fees and tariffs, and confirms the arrival of cargo.
Core Tasks:
- Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.
- Arrange for special transport of sensitive cargoes, such as livestock, food, or medical supplies.
- Prepare shipping documentation, such as bills of lading, packing lists, dock receipts, or certificates of origin.
- Inform clients of factors such as shipping options, timelines, transfers, or regulations affecting shipments.
- Arrange for applicable duties, taxes, or paperwork for customs clearance.
- Complete customs paperwork.
- Prepare invoices or cost quotations for freight transportation.
- Select shipment routes, based on nature of goods shipped, transit times, or security needs.
- Calculate weight, volume, or cost of goods to be moved.
- Arrange delivery or storage of goods at destinations.
- 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.
- 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.
- Reserve necessary space on ships, aircraft, trains, or trucks.
- Keep records of goods dispatched or received.
- Monitor or record locations of goods in transit.
- Obtain or arrange cargo insurance.
- Consolidate loads with a common destination to reduce costs to individual shippers.
- Provide detailed port information to importers or exporters.
- Provide shipment status notification to exporters, consignees, or insurers.
- Verify proper packaging and labeling of exported goods.
- Verify adherence of documentation to customs, insurance, or regulatory requirements.
- Maintain current knowledge of relevant legislation, political situations, or other factors that could affect freight shipping.
What to expect as a Cargo Coordinator / Freight Forwarder
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
24% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Cargo Coordinator / Freight Forwarder related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
1809 openings for Cargo Coordinators / Freight Forwarders
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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