What does an export coordinator do?
Export coordinators are logistics experts who prepare cargo and shipments to ship abroad while filling out paperwork and all other required documents to successfully ship and clear international orders. By coordinating with the logistics department, these coordinators are required to provide top of the line logistics service with their customers so that they can forge long-lasting business partnerships. They must evaluate issues and disputes related to customs, logistics, and damaged items as well as inform customers about the cause of shipment delay. Export coordinators must also communicate with freight forwarders to facilitate the movement of freight overseas.
Export coordinator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real export coordinator resumes:
- Initiate and implement quality control procedures, and attain ISO & FAMI-QS certifications.
- Manage OEM exports throughout Europe for a veterinary equipment manufacturer.
- Issue and submit documentation to ensure proper exportation of client FCL and/or LCL shipments.
- Coordinate and communicate with freight forwarders to facilitate movement of freight for overseas transportation to ensure timely shipment and clearance.
- Coordinate and determine cost-effective, efficient, competitive method of transportation, and consolidation with freight forwarders to execute the business.
- Sign drivers in and out BOL.
- Prepare BOL for local freight carriers.
- Review, implement maintenance programs per FAA mandates.
- Review and improve the NAFTA program and write compliance procedures.
- Create and provide the NAFTA to the distributors in Canada and Mexico.
- Track and coordinate movements of ocean containers, LCL shipments and air shipments.
- Prepare all relate documents pertaining to international shipping, including the filing of AES.
- Follow up on sailing confirmations and pre-alert agents, to include invoices and profit share.
- File AES with customs, schedule freight, follow up on shipment, approve bill of lading.
- Coordinate delivery of samples and resolve any issues with the local USDA (SENASA) agents and inspectors.
Export coordinator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Export Coordinators are proficient in Customer Service, Logistics, and Booking. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Math skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Export Coordinators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 13%
Communicated daily and weekly with customers taking orders, responding to inquiries and maintaining optimum customer service levels.
- Logistics, 11%
Researched customs requirements, defined logistics guidelines, and prepared required documentation to successfully ship and clear international orders.
- Booking, 7%
Contacted customers and booking department to confirm containers and customer requests.
- Forwarders, 6%
Coordinated and communicated with freight forwarders to facilitate movement of freight for overseas transportation to ensure timely shipment and clearance.
- Export, 6%
Executed export documentation and prepared for shipments originating from the US to multiple global destinations for this commercial adhesive manufacturer.
- Import Export, 6%
Prepared required import export container documentation.
Common skills that an export coordinator uses to do their job include "customer service," "logistics," and "booking." You can find details on the most important export coordinator responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an export coordinator to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "material and product inspecting clerks must pay attention to detail when checking items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." Export coordinators often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "documented transportation booking details and instructions in as400 for internal visibility and audit. "
Math skills. Many export coordinator duties rely on math skills. "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements.," so an export coordinator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways export coordinator responsibilities rely on math skills: "provided export statistics and supply chain data on designated processes. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of export coordinators is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday export coordinator duties, as "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "export customer service maintain effective communication with customers and agents. "
Customer-service skills. export coordinator responsibilities often require "customer-service skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints." This resume example shows what export coordinators do with customer-service skills on a typical day: "provided a complete set of documentation for the customer upon order shipment, including aes itn entries with us customs. "
The three companies that hire the most export coordinators are:
- Smithfield Foods3 export coordinators jobs
- RH2 export coordinators jobs
- INX International Ink Co.2 export coordinators jobs
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Compare different export coordinators
Export coordinator vs. Cargo agent
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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between export coordinators and cargo agent. For instance, export coordinator responsibilities require skills such as "logistics," "booking," "export," and "import export." Whereas a cargo agent is skilled in "security procedures," "data entry," "freight shipments," and "air freight." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Cargo agents really shine in the transportation industry with an average salary of $35,472. Comparatively, export coordinators tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $43,459.cargo agents tend to reach lower levels of education than export coordinators. In fact, cargo agents are 6.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Export coordinator vs. Cargo service agent
Freight brokers have licensed property brokers who provide assistance to shippers in hauling materials. Their job involves linking carriers and shippers in hauling materials. They take part in the shipping logistics of organizations or companies. Among the matters they negotiate include tracking of shipments, keeping delivery and pickup tracks, and shipping rates. Among the necessary skills for this job include customer service, negotiation, communication, and marketing.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, export coordinator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "logistics," "booking," and "forwarders." Meanwhile, a cargo service agent has duties that require skills in areas such as "pallets," "air cargo," "quality customer service," and "data entry." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Cargo service agents earn lower levels of education than export coordinators in general. They're 5.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Export coordinator vs. Freight forwarder
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from export coordinator resumes include skills like "logistics," "export," "freight forwarders," and "purchase orders," whereas a freight forwarder is more likely to list skills in "supply chain," "freight carriers," "international freight," and "pod. "
When it comes to education, freight forwarders tend to earn similar degree levels compared to export coordinators. In fact, they're 1.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Export coordinator vs. Freight broker
Types of export coordinator
Updated January 8, 2025
