Import coordinator vs freight agent

The differences between import coordinators and freight agents 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 $34,524 average annual salary of a freight agent.

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

Import coordinator vs freight agent overview

	Import Coordinator	Freight Agent
Yearly salary	$46,843	$34,524
Hourly rate	$22.52	$16.60
Growth rate	6%	-3%
Number of jobs	16,834	32,620
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	-	-

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.

What does a freight agent do?

Freight agents are independent contractors who help shippers to connect with carriers willing to haul the freight. They work with a freight broker and play a role in the movement of freight, and have to find available carriers to ship a client's freight. Being a freight agent no longer requires a license, does not require a freight broker bond, and does not assume the risk of the client's creditworthiness in terms of invoice collections. The agents use load boards to find a carrier. This provides them with a marketplace to post their client's freight for potential carriers to agree to haul.

Import coordinator vs freight agent salary

Import coordinators and freight agents have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Import Coordinator	Freight Agent
Average salary	$46,843	$34,524
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $65,000	Between $24,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	Plainview, NY	New York, NY
Highest paying state	New York	New York
Best paying company	RemX	TPI
Best paying industry	Automotive	Transportation

Differences between import coordinator and freight agent education

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

	Import Coordinator	Freight Agent
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Import coordinator vs freight agent demographics

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

	Import Coordinator	Freight Agent
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 32.6% Female, 67.4%	Male, 61.9% Female, 38.1%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 14.2% White, 51.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between import coordinator and freight agent duties and responsibilities

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.

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Freight agent example responsibilities.

Manage and carry out specific program and regulatory activities such as enforcing hazmat and weight restrictions.
Prepare, issue and submit documentation to ensure proper exportation of client FCL and LCL shipments.
Solicit votes for annual and special shareholders meetings as well as for proxy fights.
Work with AS400 data system to enter nd update shipment details, carrier status and tracking and tracing.
Trace key transaction information such as HBL, commercial invoice and other require documents to determine if record is available.
Provide guidance and clarification on proxy materials, voting methods and specific proposals.

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Import coordinator vs freight agent skills

Common import coordinator skills

Customer Service, 16%
Logistics, 11%
US Customs, 7%
Forwarders, 4%
FDA, 4%
Delivery Orders, 4%

Common freight agent skills

Logistics, 75%
DOT, 4%
Data Entry, 4%
Freight Carriers, 3%
US Customs, 2%
Air Cargo, 1%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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