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Import specialist vs air cargo agent

The differences between import specialists and air cargo agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an import specialist has an average salary of $51,757, which is higher than the $36,182 average annual salary of an air cargo agent.

The top three skills for an import specialist include data entry, logistics and us customs. The most important skills for an air cargo agent are data entry, reservations, and DOT.

Import specialist vs air cargo agent overview

Import SpecialistAir Cargo Agent
Yearly salary$51,757$36,182
Hourly rate$24.88$17.40
Growth rate6%-
Number of jobs1,73627,082
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4343
Years of experience--

What does an import specialist do?

An import Specialist in the United States handles freight shipments coming to the country. They detect and assist in preventing violation of the country's customs laws. Their primary responsibility is to enforce the import/export regulations of the United States to prevent the entry of illegal drugs and products into the country. They are tasked with ensuring that weapons or weapon parts do not make it through the border. Additionally, they carry out physical checks and go through cargo manifests on the database while also explaining import/export policies to foreign shippers.

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 specialist vs air cargo agent salary

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

Import SpecialistAir Cargo Agent
Average salary$51,757$36,182
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $72,000Between $26,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CityUniondale, NY-
Highest paying stateNew York-
Best paying companyThe Judge Group-
Best paying industryTransportation-

Differences between import specialist and air cargo agent education

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

Import SpecialistAir Cargo Agent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Import specialist vs air cargo agent demographics

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

Import SpecialistAir Cargo Agent
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 33.1% Female, 66.9%Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.4% Asian, 18.2% White, 48.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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 Percentage11%11%

Differences between import specialist and air cargo agent duties and responsibilities

Import specialist example responsibilities.

  • Work closely with government agencies, such as FDA and USDA.
  • Collaborate with foreign suppliers and freight forwarders on corrective action/preventive actions.
  • Communicate with external customers utilizing exceptional customer service to obtain missing or incomplete invoice statements require for U.S. Customs clearance.
  • Classify products with HS classification for NAFTA purposes.
  • Process special commodities such as FDA regulate articles, ADD/CVD entries.
  • Document the declaration sheet of Hazmat material for the current flight.
    • Show more

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 specialist vs air cargo agent skills

Common import specialist skills
  • Data Entry, 12%
  • Logistics, 10%
  • US Customs, 9%
  • Invoice, 5%
  • Delivery Orders, 4%
  • Forwarders, 4%
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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