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How to hire an import/export specialist

Import/export specialist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring import/export specialists in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire an import/export specialist is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per import/export specialist on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 14,090 import/export specialists in the US, and there are currently 1,884 job openings in this field.
  • Des Plaines, IL, has the highest demand for import/export specialists, with 7 job openings.

How to hire an import/export specialist, step by step

To hire an import/export specialist, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire an import/export specialist:

Here's a step-by-step import/export specialist hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an import/export specialist job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new import/export specialist
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an import/export specialist do?

An import/export specialist organizes and oversees product shipments domestically and internationally. They are responsible for preparing and processing all documents and permits, maintaining records of all transactions, assessing the products' qualities for import and export, and tracking shipments to ensure that they arrive at their destinations in a precise and timely manner. Moreover, an import/export specialist must maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating to ensure that all products and procedures adhere to the company's standards and regulations.

Learn more about the specifics of what an import/export specialist does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the import/export specialist you need to hire. Certain import/export specialist roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an import/export specialist to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an import/export specialist that fits the bill.

    This list presents import/export specialist salaries for various positions.

    Type of Import/Export SpecialistDescriptionHourly rate
    Import/Export Specialist$17-35
    Air Cargo AgentAn 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... Show more$12-24
    Cargo AgentA 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... Show more$12-21
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Logistics
    • Import Export
    • Data Entry
    • Export Compliance
    • Customer Service
    • Invoice
    • Customs Brokers
    • Government Agencies
    • Forwarders
    • Booking
    • Freight Forwarders
    • HTS
    • Customs Regulations
    • AES
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage NAFTA program, including determining of eligibility and issuance of certificates of origin.
    • Initiate and monitor procedures for the adherence of other government agency guidelines such as FDA and USDA.
    • Work with customers and transport companies on a daily basis answering questions relate to CBP entry processing and crossing procedures.
    • Process EEI documentation for southbound shipments.
    • Research foreign tariff rates for various commodities.
    • Prepare Hazmat shipping documents for transportation via air.
    More import/export specialist duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your import/export specialist job description helps attract top candidates to the position. An import/export specialist salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

    For example, the average salary for an import/export specialist in Louisiana may be lower than in New York, and an entry-level import/export specialist usually earns less than a senior-level import/export specialist. Additionally, an import/export specialist with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

    Average import/export specialist salary

    $52,246yearly

    $25.12 hourly rate

    Entry-level import/export specialist salary
    $37,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 16, 2025

    Average import/export specialist salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$62,061$30
    2Massachusetts$59,989$29
    3Pennsylvania$59,904$29
    4New Jersey$57,946$28
    5Oregon$57,562$28
    6Washington$57,398$28
    7Virginia$55,693$27
    8California$54,060$26
    9Idaho$53,911$26
    10New Mexico$53,552$26
    11Minnesota$52,144$25
    12Illinois$51,826$25
    13North Carolina$51,564$25
    14Wisconsin$51,531$25
    15Arizona$51,510$25
    16South Carolina$51,044$25
    17Arkansas$50,805$24
    18Ohio$50,135$24
    19Wyoming$50,075$24
    20Indiana$49,829$24

    Average import/export specialist salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Bristol-Myers Squibb$91,678$44.08
    2Supermicro$82,771$39.79
    3SABIC Innovative Plastics$80,954$38.92
    4Schlumberger$78,670$37.82
    5GPAC$70,055$33.68
    6ApTask$64,768$31.14
    7Trend Micro$64,191$30.86
    8Kautex$61,309$29.48
    9IDEX$60,170$28.93
    10Livingston International$58,038$27.907
    11Praxair$54,778$26.34
    12Arrow Electronics$53,956$25.94
    13Phoenix Contact$53,941$25.93
    14EaglePicher Holdings, Inc.$53,539$25.74
    15Ocs$52,733$25.35
    16AAR$49,458$23.78
    17Yusen Logistics$48,645$23.396
    18Portescap$48,566$23.35
    19enVista$48,321$23.23
    20Igloo Coolers$48,128$23.14
  4. Writing an import/export specialist job description

    An import/export specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an import/export specialist job description:

    Import/export specialist job description example

    With a genuine culture of recognition, we want our employees to grow, develop and be part of our journey. We offer a benefits package with a focus on your wellbeing. This includes competitive Paid Time Off, 401(k), health insurance and an employee benefits platform that offers discounts on gym memberships and a diverse range of retail, travel, car and hospitality brands, including important offerings like pet insurance.

    We are a team in every sense, and we support each other and work collaboratively to achieve our goals together.

    It is our goal that you will be compensated for your hard work and commitment, so if you’d like to work for one of the top Logistics providers in the world then let’s work together to help you find your new role.

    ABOUT TOMORROW

    We value your professional and personal growth. That’s why we share plenty of career opportunities for you to thrive within CEVA. This role can be the first step on your career path with us. You can stay in the same job family, find a new family to grow in (how about sales or supply chain?) or find your own path. Join CEVA for a challenging and rewarding career.

    Company DescriptionCEVA Logistics provides world-class supply chain solutions for large and medium-size national and multinational companies across the globe. As an industry leader, CEVA offers customers complete supply chain design and implementation in contract logistics and freight management, alone or in combination. Together with CMA CGM, a leading worldwide shipping group and CEVA’s strategic partner, we are able to offer our customers end-to-end logistics solutions. CEVA’s integrated global network has facilities in over 160 countries and approximately 58,000 employees; all dedicated to delivering consistently excellent operations and supply chain solutions. In our North American cluster, CEVA has more than 11,000 associates running all of Freight Management and Contract Logistics operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    CEVA offers competitive incentive packages, excellent benefits and an exceptional culture for career building. Start your career with CEVA and build on our Foundations: Unity, Growth and Excellence. At CEVA, we are passionate about our people and our people are passionate about supply chain management.

    CEVA operates in a multicultural, global environment and is a richly diverse organization operating seamlessly as one company. We aim to attract, motivate and retain the best people in our industry, whatever their background. We share the same passion to deliver world-class solutions to our customers. We have the best supply chain professionals in the industry and develop this talent in an inspiring work environment.

    CEVA Logistics is proud to be an equal opportunity work place and an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other characteristic. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individual with Disabilities.
  5. Post your job

    To find import/export specialists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any import/export specialists they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level import/export specialists with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your import/export specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit import/export specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit import/export specialists, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new import/export specialist

    Once you've selected the best import/export specialist candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    To prepare for the new import/export specialist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire an import/export specialist?

Recruiting import/export specialists involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $52,246 per year for an import/export specialist, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for import/export specialists in the US typically range between $17 and $35 an hour.

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