Import-export agent vs air cargo agent

The differences between import-export agents and air cargo 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 $36,182 average annual salary of an air cargo agent.

The top three skills for an import-export agent include customer service, data entry and booking. The most important skills for an air cargo agent are data entry, reservations, and DOT.

Import-export agent vs air cargo agent overview

	Import-Export Agent	Air Cargo Agent
Yearly salary	$47,326	$36,182
Hourly rate	$22.75	$17.40
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	26,116	27,082
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	-	-

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.

What does an air cargo agent do?

An air cargo agent is responsible for the safety of all air cargo in a flight. They are responsible for inspecting each shipment, logging shipment information, monitoring shipments in transit, and ensuring that shipments reach their destinations. They also determine delivery routes, pick-up locations, and delivery costs. This position is essential for companies that provide constant deliveries, such as online stores. An air cargo agent must have strong research skills, good communication skills, and have a sincere devotion to bringing cargoes safely to their destinations.

Import-export agent vs air cargo agent salary

Import-export agents and air cargo agents have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Import-Export Agent	Air Cargo Agent
Average salary	$47,326	$36,182
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $67,000	Between $26,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City	Uniondale, NY	-
Highest paying state	New York	-
Best paying company	C.H. Robinson	-
Best paying industry	Transportation	-

Differences between import-export agent and air cargo agent education

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

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

Import-export agent vs air cargo agent demographics

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

	Import-Export Agent	Air Cargo Agent
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 43.9% Female, 56.1%	Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 26.5% Asian, 16.1% White, 43.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between import-export agent and air cargo agent duties and responsibilities

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.

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Air cargo agent example responsibilities.

Manage and carry out specific program and regulatory activities such as enforcing hazmat and weight restrictions.
Direct inbound and outbound logistics operations, such as transportation or warehouse activities, safety performance, and logistics quality management.
Service aircraft as needed for aircraft lavatories, portable water, de-icing and commissary items.
Operate vehicles to convey ULD dollies and baggage carts to and from aircraft terminal.
Experience in using, tugs, dollies, transporters, lower deck loader, main deck loader, belt loader.

Import-export agent vs air cargo agent skills

Common import-export agent skills

Customer Service, 34%
Data Entry, 11%
Booking, 8%
Export, 3%
Import Export, 3%
DHL, 3%

Common air cargo agent skills

Data Entry, 12%
Reservations, 9%
DOT, 6%
FAA, 6%
Import Shipments, 6%
Patrol, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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