Import specialist vs export specialist

The differences between import specialists and export specialists 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 $50,208 average annual salary of an export specialist.

The top three skills for an import specialist include data entry, logistics and us customs. The most important skills for an export specialist are logistics, booking, and forwarders.

Import specialist vs export specialist overview

	Import Specialist	Export Specialist
Yearly salary	$51,757	$50,208
Hourly rate	$24.88	$24.14
Growth rate	6%	5%
Number of jobs	1,736	1,414
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	43	43
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 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 specialist vs export specialist salary

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

	Import Specialist	Export Specialist
Average salary	$51,757	$50,208
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $72,000	Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	Uniondale, NY	Elizabeth, NJ
Highest paying state	New York	New Jersey
Best paying company	The Judge Group	Brookhaven National Laboratory
Best paying industry	Transportation	Manufacturing

Differences between import specialist and export specialist education

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

	Import Specialist	Export Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Import specialist vs export specialist demographics

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

	Import Specialist	Export Specialist
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 33.1% Female, 66.9%	Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9%
Race ratio	Black 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, 4.2% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 23.6% Asian, 16.8% White, 48.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between import specialist and export specialist 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.

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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.

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Import specialist vs export specialist skills

Common import specialist skills

Data Entry, 12%
Logistics, 10%
US Customs, 9%
Invoice, 5%
Delivery Orders, 4%
Forwarders, 4%

Common export specialist skills

Logistics, 17%
Booking, 6%
Forwarders, 5%
Import Export, 5%
Data Entry, 5%
Freight Forwarders, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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