How to hire an import coordinator

How to hire an import coordinator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step import coordinator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an import coordinator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new import coordinator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an import coordinator do?

Post an import coordinator job for free, promote it for a fee

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your import coordinator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an import coordinator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An import coordinator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, import coordinators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents import coordinator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Import Coordinator	Description	Hourly rate
   Import Coordinator		$15-31
   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... Show more	$12-21
   Freight Broker	Freight brokers have licensed property brokers who provide assistance to shippers in hauling materials. Their job involves linking carriers and shippers in hauling materials... Show more	$16-37

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Logistics
   • US Customs
   • Forwarders
   • FDA
   • Delivery Orders
   • Data Entry
   • Close Liaison
   • Import Shipments
   • Government Agencies
   • Freight Forwarders
   • CBP
   • Customs Entries
   • Purchase Orders

   Check all skills

   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.

   More import coordinator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the import coordinator job description is a good way to get more applicants. An import coordinator salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for an import coordinator in Louisiana may be lower than in New York, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level import coordinator. Additionally, an import coordinator with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average import coordinator salary

   $46,843yearly

   $22.52 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level import coordinator salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

   Average import coordinator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$59,936	$29
   2	New Jersey	$56,058	$27
   3	California	$54,951	$26
   4	Massachusetts	$51,892	$25
   5	Michigan	$51,000	$25
   6	South Carolina	$47,086	$23
   7	Illinois	$47,007	$23
   8	Wisconsin	$46,877	$23
   9	Oklahoma	$44,953	$22
   10	Tennessee	$44,623	$21
   11	Texas	$44,581	$21
   12	Indiana	$44,360	$21
   13	Utah	$43,992	$21
   14	Oregon	$43,753	$21
   15	Georgia	$43,313	$21
   16	Florida	$41,527	$20
   17	District of Columbia	$40,246	$19

   Average import coordinator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	RemX	$52,111	$25.05
   2	Volt Systems LLC	$45,220	$21.74
   3	Lineage Logistics	$43,708	$21.01
   4	SMC	$43,551	$20.94
   5	*n/a*	$43,474	$20.90	1
   6	Hankyu Intl. Transport	$43,461	$20.89
   7	BNX SHIPPING INC	$43,459	$20.89
   8	The Academy	$43,437	$20.88
   9	Greenlane	$43,436	$20.88
   10	Odyssey Logistics	$43,391	$20.86
   11	Cavalier Logistics	$43,192	$20.77
   12	Kuehne+Nagel	$42,746	$20.55	5
   13	Expeditors	$42,736	$20.55	22
   14	VOXX International	$42,646	$20.50
   15	Toll Holdings	$42,600	$20.48	2
   16	Traffic Tech	$42,476	$20.42
   17	Ocean State Job Lot	$42,415	$20.39
   18	Bennett Family of Companies	$42,037	$20.21
   19	FedEx	$41,812	$20.10	4
   20	Randstad North America, Inc.	$41,737	$20.07

4. Writing an import coordinator job description

   A good import coordinator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an import coordinator job description:

   Import coordinator job description example

   $22/HR

   Qualifications:

   • Prior experience working in the logistics field; import/export in air or ocean
   • Data entry skills
   • Microsoft office proficient
   • Ability to lean new tasks and software

   Responsibilities:

   • Overseeing all operational functions of specific clients for Trinity
   • Tracking and Tracing of Air Cargo
   • Contacting airlines for status and recovery of cargo
   • Contacting broker to ensure proper US Customs Clearance
   • Contacting trucking companies and arrange recovery from airline and delivery to final client
   • Reporting to Management and Clients cargo tracking updates
   • Updates are made via phone, email, and Excel
   • Updating Internal System with all shipment details and status updates
   • Posting of Job Costing in the internal system

   About Aston Carter:

   Please Note: Scammers are posing as Aston Carter. We'll never contact you via Gmail, Telegram, or WhatsApp and we'll never solicit money from you.

   At Aston Carter, we're dedicated to expanding career opportunities for the skilled professionals who power our business. Our success is driven by the talented, motivated people who join our team across a range of positions - from recruiting, sales and delivery to corporate roles. As part of our team, employees have the opportunity for long-term career success, where hard work is rewarded and the potential for growth is limitless.

   Established in 1997, Aston Carter is a leading staffing and consulting firm, providing high-caliber talent and premium services to more than 7,000 companies across North America. Spanning four continents and more than 200 offices, we extend our clients' capabilities by seeking solvers and delivering solutions to address today's workforce challenges. For organizations looking for innovative solutions shaped by critical-thinking professionals, visit . Aston Carter is a company within Allegis Group, a global leader in talent solutions.

   The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

   If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please call or email for other accommodation options. However, if you have questions about this position, please contact the Recruiter located at the bottom of the job posting. The Recruiter is the sole point of contact for questions about this position.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find import coordinators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your import coordinator job on Zippia to find and recruit import coordinator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with import coordinator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new import coordinator

   Once you've selected the best import coordinator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new import coordinator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an import coordinator?