Freight Forwarders

• 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.
• 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.
• Verify adherence of documentation to customs, insurance, or regulatory requirements.
• Arrange delivery or storage of goods at destinations.
• 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.
• Obtain or arrange cargo insurance.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Freight Forwarders.

• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Freight Forwarders.