Freight forwarders, also known as export, import or shipping clerks, organise the movement of goods by road, rail, air and sea. They plan the best and most cost-effective ways of transporting goods around the UK and between countries.

The work involves:

• arranging routes and schedules, and confirming the details with carriers
• booking cargo space with carriers 
• dealing with rates and insurance
• calculating weight, volume and cost of goods to be moved
• recording details to a computer system
• preparing quotations and invoices
• clearing goods through customs and arranging for any duties or taxes to be paid
• preparing contracts such as Letters of Credit
• advising clients about the arrangements that have been made
• general administrative duties.

Hours and Environment

As a freight forwarder you would usually work 35 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. In some companies you may work outside of normal office hours, or you may work shifts.

You would be based in an office.

Skills and Interests

To be a freight forwarder, you should:

• have good spoken and written communication skills
• have good mathematical skills
• work accurately and pay attention to detail
• have computer skills
• be able to prioritise your work
• be diplomatic
• be interested in geography.

You may need foreign language skills for some jobs.

Entry

There are no standard entry qualifications, as this will depend on your employer. Employers may ask for at least four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) or equivalent qualifications, including English and maths.

Some employers may prefer you to have A levels/Highers, or a BTEC HNC/HND or degree, but this is not always essential. The following HND or degree subjects could improve your chances:

• transport and distribution management
• logistics
• supply chain management
• business and management
• foreign languages with business studies.

Check with colleges or universities for HND and degree entry requirements.

If you have a degree, you may be able to join one of the larger employers through a graduate training scheme. See the Skills for Logistics website for more details about training schemes.

You may have an advantage if you have experience in road or rail transport operations. You will also find it useful to have office experience, computer skills and foreign language skills.

You may be able to get into this job through an apprenticeship scheme. Funding for apprenticeships is available for 16-24 year olds and some over-25s. To find out more, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. For information about apprenticeships in other parts of the UK, see Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Training

You will be trained on the job by your employer. You could also take relevant qualifications from one of the following professional bodies:

• British International Freight Association (BIFA)
• Institute of Export
• Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

BIFA offers BTEC-approved qualifications in Customs Import and Export Procedures, and International Freight Procedures.  

• Certificate in International Trade (CIT) – an entry-level qualification
• Advanced Certificate in International Trade (ACIT) – you must be 18 or over with at least four GCSEs (A-C) including English plus one A level or equivalent, or at least 21 with three or more years’ work experience in international trade
• Diploma in International Trade (DIT) – you must have passed the Advanced Certificate. 

You may be exempt from some or all of the ACIT course if you have a relevant HND, degree, postgraduate qualification or NVQ/SVQ level 3 or 4 - see website for more details.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport offers courses including:

• Level 2 Certificate in Logistics and Transport - an entry-level qualification
• Level 3 Certificate in Logistics and Transport - for supervisors
• Level 5 Professional Diploma in Logistics and Transport - for new managers, or recent graduates with non-business degrees.

All three organisations also offer a range of short courses at training centres around the UK. Please see their websites for more information about qualifications and short courses.

You may also be able to work towards NVQ/SVQ Levels 2 and 3 in Traffic Office, which deals with organising the movement of goods by land.

Opportunities

As a freight forwarder you could work for one of over 2,000 freight forwarding companies in the UK, including:

• local, national and international freight forwarding companies
• major retail companies
• manufacturers
• warehousing and distribution firms
• the armed forces.

Jobs may be advertised in the local press, Jobcentre Plus, by specialist recruitment agencies and websites (see BIFA website for a list of agencies), and in trade magazines like International Freighting Weekly.

With experience, you could progress to become a supervisor or manager.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Trainee freight forwarders can earn £12,000 to £15,000 a year.
Experienced freight forwarders earn around £15,000 to £25,000 a year.
Senior freight forwarders and managers could earn up to £30,000 to £40,000 a year.

Further information

Logistics and Transport Centre
Earlstrees Court
Earlstrees Road
Corby
Northants
NN17 4AX
Tel: 01536 740100
Export House
Minerva Business Park
Lynch Wood
Peterborough
PE2 6FT
Tel: 01733 404400
Education and Training Services
Redfern House
Browells Lane
Feltham
Middlesex
TW13 7EP
Tel: 020 8844 2266
14 Warren Yard
Warren Farm Office Village
Stratford Road
Milton Keynes
MK12 5NW
Tel: 0870 242 7314