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Import-export agent vs export specialist

The differences between import-export agents and export specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an export specialist has an average salary of $50,208, which is higher than the $47,326 average annual salary of an import-export agent.

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

Import-export agent vs export specialist overview

Import-Export AgentExport Specialist
Yearly salary$47,326$50,208
Hourly rate$22.75$24.14
Growth rate-5%
Number of jobs26,1161,414
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4343
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 export specialist do?

An Export Specialist is in charge of managing the foreign sales and transactions of a company. It is their duty to monitor the quality of products to ensure it adheres to export standards, manage paperwork, perform research and analysis, utilize cost-efficient methods, verify documents, produce progress reports, and liaise with external parties such as distributors and custom authorities. An Export Specialist must be proactive and alert for any issues or conflicts, resolving them promptly and efficiently.

Import-export agent vs export specialist salary

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

Import-Export AgentExport Specialist
Average salary$47,326$50,208
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $67,000Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityUniondale, NYElizabeth, NJ
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew Jersey
Best paying companyC.H. RobinsonBrookhaven National Laboratory
Best paying industryTransportationManufacturing

Differences between import-export agent and export specialist education

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

Import-Export AgentExport Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Import-export agent vs export specialist demographics

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

Import-Export AgentExport Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 43.9% Female, 56.1%Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9%
Race ratioBlack 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, 4.2% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 23.6% Asian, 16.8% White, 48.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between import-export agent and export specialist 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.
  • Show more

Export specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage OEM exports throughout Europe for a veterinary equipment manufacturer.
  • Prepare export documentation and hire freight forwarders with proven accuracy.
  • Interact with freight forwarders and transportation management personnel to ensure timely delivery of shipments.
  • Complete NAFTA and CAFTA certificates as required.
  • Handle customs clearance process such as, FDA, classification and Hazmat shipments.
  • Coordinate the release of goods with carriers, CBP, and other governmental agencies as required.
  • Show more

Import-export agent vs export specialist skills

Common import-export agent skills
  • Customer Service, 34%
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • Booking, 8%
  • Export, 3%
  • Import Export, 3%
  • DHL, 3%
Common export specialist skills
  • Logistics, 17%
  • Booking, 6%
  • Forwarders, 5%
  • Import Export, 5%
  • Data Entry, 5%
  • Freight Forwarders, 5%

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