When seeking to fill an Import Forwarding role, employers are normally seeking someone with previous experience in the transport sector, and knowledge of the processes used in that industry.
Duties in this type of role may include some or all of the following:
- Ensuring all documentation relating to shipments of goods is in order, meeting requirements in areas such as customs and insurance
- Processing customs entries
- Planning delivery routes
- Arranging collections and deliveries
- Making special delivery arrangements for valuable or fragile goods
- Co-ordinating customs brokerage
- Negotiating contracts
- Producing and analysing management information
- Preparing and sending invoices
The skills an employer might seek in an Import Forwarding candidate include:
- An understanding of the documentation processes required to receive goods in a particular country
- An awareness of the role of customs authorities and the procedures that need to be completed for a customs entry
- Strong customer service skills to liaise effectively with customers
- Good organisational skills to prioritise a varied workload
- Ability to work on own initiative and to devise solutions to problems and logistical difficulties
- A willingness to work flexible hours, which may include evening and weekend overtime
- Familiarity with the computer systems used in this industry
- Excellent communication skills
- Good attention to detail to ensure documentation is in order, goods are delivered as required etc.
