Import-export clerk

Import-export clerks ship goods to and from the UK by road, rail, air and sea.


Typical Salary

£18,000 – £30,000

per year

Working Hours

37–39

hours per week

Career Area

Importers and exporters

View related courses

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

  • manage freight bookings using a computer system
  •  check that tax and customs documents are correct
  •  work with national and international suppliers and agents
  •  arrange freight deliveries and collections between ports, airports and warehouses
  •  handle invoices and payments
  •  keep clients up to date and deal with problems or delays

Skills needed

  • knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
  • knowledge of geography
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • administration skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

How to get into this role

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • specialist courses run by professional bodies

Career progression

With experience you could become an import-export manager, a specialist in international trade law or an overseas account manager.