Import-export agent vs freight broker

The differences between import-export agents and freight brokers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a freight broker has an average salary of $52,390, 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 a freight broker are TMS, logistics, and FTL.

Import-export agent vs freight broker overview

	Import-Export Agent	Freight Broker
Yearly salary	$47,326	$52,390
Hourly rate	$22.75	$25.19
Growth rate	-	5%
Number of jobs	26,116	7,528
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
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 a freight broker do?

Freight brokers have licensed property brokers who provide assistance to shippers in hauling materials. Their job involves linking carriers and shippers in hauling materials. They take part in the shipping logistics of organizations or companies. Among the matters they negotiate include tracking of shipments, keeping delivery and pickup tracks, and shipping rates. Among the necessary skills for this job include customer service, negotiation, communication, and marketing.

Import-export agent vs freight broker salary

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

	Import-Export Agent	Freight Broker
Average salary	$47,326	$52,390
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $67,000	Between $35,000 And $77,000
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 freight broker education

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

	Import-Export Agent	Freight Broker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Import-export agent vs freight broker demographics

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

	Import-Export Agent	Freight Broker
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 43.9% Female, 56.1%	Male, 64.6% Female, 35.4%
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, 5.3% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 12.9% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between import-export agent and freight broker 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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Freight broker example responsibilities.

Manage EDI transmit pricing on orders from customers.
Manage, inspect, photograph, and create reports biweekly for U.S. department of HUD and Fannie Mae assign properties.
Book dry and refrigerate freight for FTL and LTL loads.
Specialize in working with power only units and flat beds experience in working with FTL, and LTL shipments.
Create, develop and retain business relationships with shippers.
Provide RFP's for large company customers

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Import-export agent vs freight broker skills

Common import-export agent skills

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

Common freight broker skills

TMS, 19%
Logistics, 18%
FTL, 17%
Shippers, 12%
LTL, 4%
Freight Carriers, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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