Import coordinator vs import-export agent

The differences between import coordinators 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 $46,843 average annual salary of an import coordinator.

The top three skills for an import coordinator include customer service, logistics and us customs. The most important skills for an import-export agent are customer service, data entry, and booking.

Import coordinator vs import-export agent overview

	Import Coordinator	Import-Export Agent
Yearly salary	$46,843	$47,326
Hourly rate	$22.52	$22.75
Growth rate	6%	-
Number of jobs	16,834	26,116
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
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 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.

Import coordinator vs import-export agent salary

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

	Import Coordinator	Import-Export Agent
Average salary	$46,843	$47,326
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $65,000	Between $33,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	Plainview, NY	Uniondale, NY
Highest paying state	New York	New York
Best paying company	RemX	C.H. Robinson
Best paying industry	Automotive	Transportation

Differences between import coordinator and import-export agent education

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

	Import Coordinator	Import-Export Agent
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Import coordinator vs import-export agent demographics

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

	Import Coordinator	Import-Export Agent
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 32.6% Female, 67.4%	Male, 43.9% Female, 56.1%
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, 4.7% Unknown, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 26.8% Asian, 14.8% White, 45.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between import coordinator and import-export 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.

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.

Import coordinator vs import-export agent skills

Common import coordinator skills

Customer Service, 16%
Logistics, 11%
US Customs, 7%
Forwarders, 4%
FDA, 4%
Delivery Orders, 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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Import Coordinator vs Import-Export Agent

Updated January 8, 2025

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