How to hire an international shipping clerk

How to hire an international shipping clerk, step by step

Here's a step-by-step international shipping clerk hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The international shipping clerk hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An international shipping clerk's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, international shipping clerks from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of international shipping clerks.

   Type of International Shipping Clerk	Description	Hourly rate
   International Shipping Clerk	Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.	$11-18
   Receiver	A receiver is responsible for confirming receipt of items delivered from distribution centers to the warehouse. Receivers carefully evaluate order invoices, ensuring the correct quantity of the items, and inspect the merchandise for any possible mislabeling and defects... Show more	$12-18
   Traffic Coordinator	A traffic coordinator is responsible for monitoring the operations of various departments within a company, ensuring the timely submission of project deliverables to meet clients' demands and attain their highest satisfaction. Traffic coordinators evaluate production schedule, including the delivery of materials and proper allocation of resources, and identify areas of improvement on the workflow to avoid delays in production... Show more	$13-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • International Shipments
   • International Packages
   • Data Entry
   • Invoice
   • DHL
   • RF
   • Computer System
   • Forwarders
   • Lot Numbers
   • LTL
   • AS400
   • Inventory Control
   • Fed-Ex

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Complete documentation and manage inventory levels by utilizing ERP systems.
   • Pack, and ship product using RF scan gun.
   • Work with a variety of freight forwarders as well.
   • Check status of BOL's, prepare manifest documents and customs documentation.
   • Ship primarily air shipments (small parcel), but also ocean and occasionally LTL.
   • Serve as back-up for ship- today; orders under fifty pounds ship via FedEx and DHL.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your international shipping clerk job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An international shipping clerk can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, international shipping clerks' average salary in south dakota is 44% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level international shipping clerks 39% less than senior-level international shipping clerks.
   • Certifications. An international shipping clerk with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an international shipping clerk's salary.

   Average international shipping clerk salary

   $14.28hourly

   $29,702 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level international shipping clerk salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 12, 2026

4. Writing an international shipping clerk job description

   A good international shipping clerk job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an international shipping clerk job description:

   International shipping clerk job description example

   Do you want to join an international team working to improve the future of healthcare? Do you want to improve the lives of millions of people? Grifols is a global healthcare company which, since its foundation in Barcelona in 1909, has been working to improve the health and well-being of people all over the world. Our four divisions - Bioscience, Diagnostic, Hospital and Bio Supplies - develop, produce and market innovative medicines, solutions and services in more than 100 countries and regions.
   **Summary:**
   
   This position will be responsible for overseeing domestic and international shipping of all cGMP materials, intermediates, finished products, maintenance parts and general supplies. This position acts independently and provides room for personal and professional growth.
   
   **Primary responsibilities for role:**
   
   + Coordinates the shipping of external Order-fulfillment via Reservations and Sales Documents in SAP from Manufacturing and Planning Departments.
   
   + Determines method of shipment, utilizing knowledge of shipping procedures, routes, and rates.
   
   + Prepares all necessary documentation and communicate pre-shipment details.
   
   + Collaborates with Supply Chain, QA/QC and the inbound warehouse team in the release and shipment of Quarantined/Released materials such as temperature-controlled materials.
   
   + Audits freight invoices to ensure proper billing. Orders export related shipping supplies in a timely manner to prevent production delays or material shortages.
   
   + Maintains general housekeeping and inventory management, including the timely disposal or recycling of excess material in accordance to cGMP requirements.
   
   + Conducts shipments per DOT, IATA, OSHA, ICS and SOP requirements and ensures accuracy of orders.
   
   + Maintains cargo screening and warehouse security in accordance with Certified Cargo Screening facility certification.
   
   + Acts as a backup for all areas of the warehouse operations including shipping, receiving and customer interactions.
   
   + Supports department in process improvement initiatives such as to reduce or reuse supplies and warehouse materials as necessary.
   
   + Supports other activities as needed.
   
   **Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:**
   
   + Familiar with Inco Terms and international and regulatory requirements highly desired.
   
   + Knowledge of ERP systems, Microsoft office tools, and preferably SAP.
   
   + Experience in working with outside vendors and scheduling pickups and appropriate freight lanes to ensure product arrives within validated shipping timeline.
   
   + Excellent interpersonal, communication skills.
   
   + Brings along a hands-on mentality and is well organized
   
   + Working knowledge of OSHA and HSE safety.
   
   + Must be in good standing with the DMV (valid driver license)
   
   **Education:**
   
   High School Diploma with 10 years of warehouse experience or any college degree with 8+ years of warehouse experience.
   
   **Experience:**
   
   Minimum of 8+ shipping and warehouse experience, preferably in a cGMP environment.
   
   **Equivalency:**
   
   Depending on the area of assignment, directly related experience or a combination of directly related education and experience and/or competencies may be considered in place of the stated requirements.
   
   Example: If a job level typically requires an Associate's degree plus 2 years of experience, an equivalent could include 4 years of experience or a Bachelor's degree.
   
   **Occupational Demands:**
   
   * Must be able to operate a forklift and lift materials up to 25lbs.
   
   **EEO Minorities/ Disability/Veterans**
   
   Grifols is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with all Federal, State and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship, genetic disposition or characteristics, disability or veteran's status or any other classification protected by applicable State/Federal laws. We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find international shipping clerks for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your international shipping clerk job on Zippia to find and recruit international shipping clerk candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with international shipping clerk candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to 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 international shipping clerk

   Once you have selected a candidate for the international shipping clerk position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new international shipping clerk. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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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