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Cargo agent vs import-export agent

The differences between cargo agents and import-export agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an import-export agent has an average salary of $47,326, 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-export agent are customer service, data entry, and booking.

Cargo agent vs import-export agent overview

Cargo AgentImport-Export Agent
Yearly salary$35,411$47,326
Hourly rate$17.02$22.75
Growth rate1%-
Number of jobs27,87426,116
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
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-export agent do?

Import or export agents are professionals who are required to act as the middle person for purchasing or selling products between both domestic and overseas companies. These agents must possess a variety of export documentation to facilitate domestic and international shipments of products to ensure timely delivery. They should provide shipment status notification to answer inquiries from exporters and consignees. Import or export agents must also prepare documents while informing import agents about the details of shipment arrivals.

Cargo agent vs import-export agent salary

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

Cargo AgentImport-Export Agent
Average salary$35,411$47,326
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $45,000Between $33,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CitySan Diego, CAUniondale, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyUnited Service TechnologiesC.H. Robinson
Best paying industryTransportationTransportation

Differences between cargo agent and import-export agent education

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

Cargo AgentImport-Export Agent
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Cargo agent vs import-export agent demographics

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

Cargo AgentImport-Export Agent
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 68.6% Female, 31.4%Male, 43.9% Female, 56.1%
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, 4.7% Unknown, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 26.8% Asian, 14.8% White, 45.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between cargo agent and import-export agent 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-export agent example responsibilities.

  • Prepare documentation as master BOL, shippers export declarations, cargo release, pickups, delivery orders and others.
  • Maintain AS400 system to include accurate shipment order entry, AES filing and other pertinent information for LCL and FCL shipments.
  • Facilitate training for CSR & shippers on export documentation and incoterms.
  • Send arrival notices, tracking, arranging inland moves on containers and LCL cargo.
  • Quoted ocean FCL & LCL rates to all the customers in order to satisfy their shipping needs.
  • Review and analyze standard operating procedures to insure compliance, TSA, ISO, TAPA, IMDG.
    • Show more

Cargo agent vs import-export agent 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-export agent skills
  • Customer Service, 34%
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • Booking, 8%
  • Export, 3%
  • Import Export, 3%
  • DHL, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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