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.
Import coordinator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real import coordinator resumes:
- 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.
- Assist in customs clearance and transportation for other VIP accounts.
- Prepare ocean documents; MBL, HBL, shipper export declaration.
- File appropriate documents for customs clearance on ABI including: CF3461 CF7501 CF7512
- Will work to obtain information from customers on CF28s and CF29s issue by CBP.
- Determine whether shipments qualify for special tariff treatment, NAFTA, reduce duty rates.
- Train employees to maintain TSA compliance, regulations, supervise testing and warehouse procedures.
- Verify HAZ, FDA, and FCC on those order entries and prepare the appropriate materials declarations require for shipment.
- Review and correct entries identify by a computer audit application for accuracy and CBP compliance.
- Direct outbound logistics operations, such as transportation or warehouse activities, safety performance, or logistics quality management.
Import coordinator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Import Coordinators are proficient in Customer Service, Logistics, and US Customs. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.
We break down the percentage of Import Coordinators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 16%
Trained new employees on customer service/domestic coordinating/reception protocol
- Logistics, 11%
Directed all equipment logistics operations from supplier s warehouse to company s warehouse, following currency exchange control and customs regulations.
- US Customs, 7%
Coordinated releases with various customs warehouses and domestic shipping partners to ensure prompt delivery to customers.
- Forwarders, 4%
Ensured import documentation is accurately processed, distributed and released to ocean lines and freight forwarders.
- FDA, 4%
Verify HAZ, FDA, and FCC on those order entries and prepare the appropriate materials declarations required for shipment.
- Delivery Orders, 4%
Prepared and processed delivery orders, billing documentation and approved vendor invoices.
"customer service," "logistics," and "us customs" are among the most common skills that import coordinators use at work. You can find even more import coordinator responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an import coordinator to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Import coordinators often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "air import supervisor.supervising a team of 8 entry writers.clearing shipments timely.clear and quick communications with overseas and customers. "
Leadership skills. Another essential skill to perform import coordinator duties is leadership skills. Import coordinators responsibilities require that "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." Import coordinators also use leadership skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "develop leadership skills including planning, distribution, logistics, transportation, and customer operations. "
Problem-solving skills. import coordinator responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." This resume example shows what import coordinators do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "resolved shipment delays& no shows, fda and customs detentions, damaged shipments and more. "
Time-management skills. Another common skill required for import coordinator responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of import coordinators all the time, as "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." An excerpt from a real import coordinator resume shows how this skill is central to what an import coordinator does: "coordinated with steamship lines and u.s. customs to meet shipping deadlines and customs clearance. "
The three companies that hire the most import coordinators are:
- Kuehne+Nagel5 import coordinators jobs
- AppleOne Employment Services4 import coordinators jobs
- VOXX International
2 import coordinators jobs
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Compare different import coordinators
Import 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 import coordinators and cargo agent. For instance, import coordinator responsibilities require skills such as "logistics," "fda," "delivery orders," and "close liaison." Whereas a cargo agent is skilled in "security procedures," "freight shipments," "computer system," and "faa." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Cargo agents earn the highest salaries when working in the transportation industry, with an average yearly salary of $35,472. On the other hand, import coordinators are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $44,075.The education levels that cargo agents earn slightly differ from import coordinators. In particular, cargo agents are 5.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an import coordinator. Additionally, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Import coordinator vs. Cargo service agent
Warehouse assistants oversee a warehouse's stocks and products. Their primary responsibilities include receiving and sending products from the warehouse. They move materials and inventory across the facilities. It's their job to sort, organize, and keep stock in the right location. They are also responsible for issuing materials and other supplies for storage in the central warehouse. The skills they must acquire include road transportation, packing, stocking, loading, shipping, and general labor.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that import coordinator responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "logistics," "forwarders," and "fda." But a cargo service agent might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "pallets," "airway bills," "air cargo," and "quality customer service."
In general, cargo service agents achieve similar levels of education than import coordinators. They're 4.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Import coordinator vs. Warehouse assistant
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an import coordinator is likely to be skilled in "logistics," "us customs," "forwarders," and "fda," while a typical warehouse assistant is skilled in "pallets," "industrial trucks," "hand trucks," and "groceries."
Warehouse assistants make a very good living in the transportation industry with an average annual salary of $36,486. On the other hand, import coordinators are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $44,075.Most warehouse assistants achieve a lower degree level compared to import coordinators. For example, they're 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Import coordinator vs. Freight forwarder
Types of import coordinator
Updated January 8, 2025
