Post job

Cargo agent vs import coordinator

The differences between cargo agents and import coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an import coordinator has an average salary of $46,843, which is higher than the $35,411 average annual salary of a cargo agent.

The top three skills for a cargo agent include security procedures, data entry and customer service. The most important skills for an import coordinator are customer service, logistics, and us customs.

Cargo agent vs import coordinator overview

Cargo AgentImport Coordinator
Yearly salary$35,411$46,843
Hourly rate$17.02$22.52
Growth rate1%6%
Number of jobs27,87416,834
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4343
Years of experience--

What does a cargo agent do?

A cargo agent is primarily in charge of facilitating cargo shipments, ensuring the cargo gets to their destination timely and accurately. They are responsible for preparing and processing the necessary documents and fees, routing shipments and arranging the shipping methods, weighing the parcels, and coordinating the logistics and transportation details. They also negotiate postal and shipping rates, prepare invoices, and maintain records of all transactions and necessary information. Moreover, a cargo agent communicates with clients to answer inquiries, notify them of any delays, and provide updates regularly.

What does an import coordinator do?

An import coordinator, also known as import-export coordinator, is an individual who is responsible for handling the logistics of transporting goods into the country and serving as the liaison between sellers and customers. Import coordinators must arrange shipments and handle monetary exchange rates as well as communicate relevant information to national and international customers and sales companies. They must maintain the status report for all shipments while collaborating with various departments for the release of all goods from customs. Import coordinators must also collaborate with the inventory planning team to ensure clearance and delivery of all import goods.

Cargo agent vs import coordinator salary

Cargo agents and import coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cargo AgentImport Coordinator
Average salary$35,411$46,843
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $45,000Between $33,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CitySan Diego, CAPlainview, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyUnited Service TechnologiesRemX
Best paying industryTransportationAutomotive

Differences between cargo agent and import coordinator education

There are a few differences between a cargo agent and an import coordinator in terms of educational background:

Cargo AgentImport Coordinator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Cargo agent vs import coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between cargo agents' and import coordinators' demographics:

Cargo AgentImport Coordinator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 68.6% Female, 31.4%Male, 32.6% Female, 67.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 27.5% Asian, 14.1% White, 44.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 6.7% Hispanic or Latino, 26.6% Asian, 16.1% White, 43.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between cargo agent and import coordinator duties and responsibilities

Cargo agent example responsibilities.

  • Manage and carry out specific program and regulatory activities such as enforcing hazmat and weight restrictions.
  • Maintain compliance issues relate to TSA, FAA, and cargo operations for several major airlines.
  • Handle various amounts of freight including both FTL, LTL, dry, refrigerate, flatb, and intermodal.
  • Practice safe conscious behaviors in all operational processes and procedures by adhering to strict TSA, IATA, and DCOM regulations.
  • Set up containers for USPS mail.
  • Handle accounts that require FDA clearance.
  • Show more

Import coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Work directly with government agencies including FDA, USDA, and CBP to resolve import delays.
  • Ensure import documentation is accurately process, distribute and release to ocean lines and freight forwarders.
  • Delete ABI and remove from FedEx bill for void entries.
  • Launch company's TSA program.
  • Act as company contact for C-TPAT program.
  • Arrange FCL ocean operations, imports and exports.
  • Show more

Cargo agent vs import coordinator skills

Common cargo agent skills
  • Security Procedures, 18%
  • Data Entry, 17%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Freight Shipments, 7%
  • Computer System, 7%
  • Air Freight, 4%
Common import coordinator skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Logistics, 11%
  • US Customs, 7%
  • Forwarders, 4%
  • FDA, 4%
  • Delivery Orders, 4%

Browse office and administrative jobs