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Freight Forwarders

SOC 43-5011.01Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the full career arc of freight forwarders working in commercial freight forwarding and logistics offices, spanning domestic and international shipments, multi-modal carrier coordination, customs clearance, and client advisory services calibrated to Job Zone 2 vocational preparation.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Basic shipping documentation such as bills of lading and packing lists — prepare under direct supervision using office suite software in a freight forwarding office.
  2. Standard customs paperwork fields and entry requirements — identify and complete with guidance from a senior forwarder for routine import or export shipments.
  3. Freight carrier rate sheets and published tariffs — read and interpret under supervision to support cost quotation preparation.
  4. Client inquiries about shipping options and estimated timelines — respond to using provided reference materials under direct oversight.
  5. Shipment tracking data entered in logistics software — monitor and record status updates following established office protocols.
  6. Dock receipts and certificates of origin — assemble and organize as directed, verifying completeness against a checklist prior to submission.
  7. Basic geographic routing maps and carrier service guides — reference to identify feasible shipment routes for common cargo types under supervision.
  8. Applicable import duties and tax schedules — look up using compliance software with guidance to support customs clearance paperwork.
  9. Incoming freight instructions and regulatory notices — read and summarize accurately for review by a supervising forwarder.
  10. Data entry tasks in transportation management and ERP software — perform with attention to detail following step-by-step instructions in a shared office environment.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Freight invoices and cost quotations for standard shipments — prepare independently using spreadsheet software, applying current carrier rates and applicable surcharges.
  2. Customs paperwork for routine import and export consignments — complete accurately with reduced oversight, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and deadlines.
  3. Carrier selection decisions for common cargo types — make by evaluating transit times, costs, and security needs using logistics and supply chain software.
  4. Client communications about shipping regulations, transfer requirements, and timelines — draft and deliver clearly via email, adapting language to the client's level of familiarity.
  5. Shipping rates with freight carriers for recurring lanes — negotiate to secure competitive pricing, referencing historical rate data and volume commitments.
  6. Special transport arrangements for temperature-sensitive or regulated cargo such as food and medical supplies — coordinate with carriers and regulatory contacts following established procedures.
  7. Bills of lading, packing lists, and related export documents — prepare consistently and accurately for a varied portfolio of shipments within familiar trade lanes.
  8. Shipment progress against promised timelines — monitor using database and tracking software, escalating delays to supervisors and proactively updating clients.
  9. Basic accounting entries for freight charges and duties — calculate and record using spreadsheet software, applying correct currency conversions and tax codes.
  10. Routine compliance checks against customs and safety regulations — conduct for assigned shipment files, flagging discrepancies and correcting errors before submission.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Optimal shipment routes for diverse cargo including livestock, hazardous materials, and oversized loads — select autonomously by weighing transit times, regulatory requirements, and security considerations.
  2. Complex customs clearance scenarios involving multiple jurisdictions or restricted goods — manage independently, preparing all required documentation and liaising directly with customs authorities.
  3. Freight rate negotiations with carriers across multiple modes including air, ocean, and ground — lead to achieve cost targets while maintaining service quality for a full client portfolio.
  4. Non-routine client situations such as urgent shipments, regulatory holds, or cargo damage claims — resolve using critical thinking and knowledge of carrier contracts and trade regulations.
  5. Comprehensive shipping documentation packages for complex multi-leg international shipments — prepare and audit end-to-end, ensuring accuracy across bills of lading, certificates of origin, and commercial invoices.
  6. Client advisories on regulatory changes, trade compliance updates, and emerging shipping risks — develop and communicate proactively using authoritative regulatory sources and industry publications.
  7. Cost-benefit analyses for alternative routing and carrier options — produce using ERP and spreadsheet software to support client decisions on time-sensitive or high-value consignments.
  8. Special transport logistics for sensitive or high-priority cargoes — orchestrate across multiple vendors and regulatory bodies, maintaining chain-of-custody documentation throughout transit.
  9. Shipment data trends such as transit delays, carrier performance, and cost variances — analyze using database query tools to identify process improvement opportunities.
  10. Inbound and outbound shipment compliance obligations for assigned accounts — manage comprehensively, applying deep knowledge of customs law, tariff classifications, and trade agreements.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Departmental rate strategy and carrier relationship portfolio — develop and oversee at organizational level, setting negotiation targets and performance benchmarks across all freight modes.
  2. Freight forwarding compliance framework including customs, safety, and documentation standards — design and implement, ensuring the organization meets regulatory obligations across all operating jurisdictions.
  3. Junior and mid-level freight forwarders — mentor and train in documentation accuracy, customs procedures, and client communication, building team capability through structured on-the-job coaching.
  4. Operational workflows for shipment processing, documentation, and client reporting — evaluate and redesign using ERP and logistics software capabilities to improve efficiency and reduce error rates.
  5. Strategic client relationships at the account management level — lead by advising on end-to-end supply chain solutions, cost optimization, and risk mitigation for high-value accounts.
  6. Organizational response to major service disruptions such as port closures, regulatory embargoes, or carrier failures — direct by activating contingency routing plans and coordinating cross-functional communication.
  7. Pricing models and cost quotation standards for the forwarding operation — establish and review periodically, incorporating market intelligence, fuel surcharges, and currency risk into rate structures.
  8. Technology adoption decisions for logistics, compliance, and ERP platforms — drive by evaluating vendor solutions, leading implementation projects, and overseeing staff transition and training.
  9. Freight forwarding service portfolio and geographic coverage — assess against industry trends and client demand, recommending and pursuing expansion into new trade lanes or specialized cargo segments.
  10. Organizational culture of regulatory integrity, attention to detail, and client service excellence — model and reinforce through performance standards, team recognition, and ongoing professional development investment.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Show O*NET source anchors68 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Air Cargo Agent · Air Export Agent · Air Export Clerk · Air Export Coordinator · Air Freight Forwarder · Cargo Agent · Domestic Freight Forwarder · Export Clerk · Export Coordinator · Export Freight Clerk · Export Freight Forwarder · Export Freight Manager
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Reading ComprehensionCoordinationMonitoringCritical ThinkingActive ListeningTime ManagementNegotiationService OrientationWritingSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessActive LearningPersuasionComplex Problem SolvingMathematicsJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisSystems Evaluation
Knowledge domains
TransportationAdministrativeCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsPublic Safety and SecurityGeographyPersonnel and Human ResourcesMathematicsTelecommunicationsEconomics and AccountingCommunications and MediaLaw and GovernmentProduction and ProcessingSales and Marketing
Abilities
Oral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionInformation OrderingNear VisionProblem SensitivityWritten ExpressionDeductive ReasoningCategory FlexibilityNumber Facility
Work styles
DependabilityAttention to DetailCautiousnessIntegrityPerseveranceAdaptability
Technology
Data base user interface and query softwareMaterials requirements planning logistics and supply chain softwareElectronic mail softwareCompliance softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwarePresentation softwareWord processing softwareProcurement software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.
  2. Arrange for special transport of sensitive cargoes, such as livestock, food, or medical supplies.
  3. Arrange for applicable duties, taxes, or paperwork for customs clearance.
  4. Inform clients of factors such as shipping options, timelines, transfers, or regulations affecting shipments.
  5. Prepare shipping documentation, such as bills of lading, packing lists, dock receipts, or certificates of origin.
  6. Complete customs paperwork.
  7. Prepare invoices or cost quotations for freight transportation.
  8. Select shipment routes, based on nature of goods shipped, transit times, or security needs.
CIP education codes
52.040852.0410

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.