How to hire an ocean import representative

How to hire an ocean import representative, step by step

Here's a step-by-step ocean import representative hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your ocean import representative job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an ocean import representative for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an ocean import representative 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 ocean import representative that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of ocean import representatives.

   Type of Ocean Import Representative	Description	Hourly rate
   Ocean Import Representative		$14-29
   Air Cargo Agent	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... Show more	$12-24
   Freight Broker	Freight brokers have licensed property brokers who provide assistance to shippers in hauling materials. Their job involves linking carriers and shippers in hauling materials... Show more	$16-37

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Forwarders
   • Customs Regulations
   • Customs Brokers
   • LCL
   • FCL
   • US Customs
   • Air Freight
   • Steamship Lines
   • Logistics
   • USDA
   • Arrival Notices
   • POD
   • ETA

   Responsibilities:

   • Coordinate and administer the selection and use of customs brokers and freight forwarders.
   • Act as liaison between logistics, carries and customers.
   • Create and deploy the process for LCL consolidation onsite to multiple destinations which help improved company efficiency.
   • Work with import brokers and freight forwarders to insure import documentation are distributed correctly in a timely manner.
   • Ensure accuracy of direct mail processing and preparation operations in accordance with DHL requirements, customer requests, and establish procedures.
   • Release consolidation freight to CFS locations.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, ocean import representatives' average salary in nebraska is 38% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level ocean import representatives 51% less than senior-level ocean import representatives.
   • Certifications. An ocean import representative 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 ocean import representative's salary.

   Average ocean import representative salary

   $43,214yearly

   $20.78 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level ocean import representative salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing an ocean import representative job description

   A job description for an ocean import representative role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an ocean import representative job description:

   Ocean import representative job description example

   Company
   
   Headquartered in New York with another 7 offices in the United States and dedicated partners strategically located throughout the world, Laufer Group International has the expertise, resources, and market knowledge to provide customers with true global logistics solutions. Laufer has an established logistics and service solution that provides customers with improved shipping flexibility, enhanced operational control, and exceptional customer service. Each customer has access to a customized logistics platform providing air freight and ocean services, logistics, customs brokerage, and purchase order and export management.
   
   Laufer is a different type of logistics company. We strive to make our industry more progressive. We challenge conventional ways of doing business by developing innovative and customized supply chain solutions. We help our customers break away from yesterday's business model to succeed in today's world.
   
   Responsibilities
   
   Receive and process customer documentation requests. Review appropriate information to ensure compliance with custom/carrier regulations and client expectations.
   Communicate with Carriers, overseas agents, customers, sales people and onboarding manager to solve any issues that may arise with documentation process.
   Ensure accurate and timely data entry into operational systems.
   Create shipping instructions via AS400/INTTRA platform/Carrier website.
   Audit Carrier bills of lading/customer documentation to ensure appropriate requirements are followed.
   Ensure all required fields and codes are accurately entered into AS400 and issues identified and resolved after booking. Ensure that appropriate Quote is attached to the booking in as400
   Maintain good relationships with suppliers (Ocean carriers, trucking companies and others involved).
   Meet KPI standards in accordance with the Company's procedures.
   Timely responses to mails and requests (internal and external).
   Perform other duties as determined necessary by management.
   Send carrier/house bill of lading to customer within a goal of within 3 days of sail, and if unable - to provide timely updates to customer as to status of request (if delay is due to carrier/routing/weather/holiday). Manage all required follow up with clients and overseas agents.
   
   Qualifications
   
   Strong geographical awareness and experience routing international cargo.
   Understanding of ocean carrier services and operations (including carrier partnerships/alliances).
   Understanding of ocean service and documentation processing.
   Ability to provide support and guidance to agents, clients, sales people in regard to documentation requirements.
   Strong written and verbal communication skills (experience with Microsoft Suite).
   Understanding of industry used terminology.
   Experience working in a fast paced, team oriented, deadline driven department.
   Problem solving experience and confidence to challenge the status quo.
   Computer literacy and strong organizational, interpersonal, and presentation skill.
   A Degree in business, supply chain management, finance or geography is seen as an advantage
   
   Benefits
   
   Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits with company cost-sharing
   Health Savings Account medical benefit option with a company contribution to the health savings account
   No cost Medical Bridge Program to assist with costs that may be attributable to the plan deductible
   Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
   No cost Short-term disability, Long-term disability, Life, and AD&D insurance
   401(k) Retirement Plan with a generous company match
   Paid Time Off (over 4 weeks of PTO by year 5 with Laufer)
   No cost Employee Assistance Plan to assist with emotional well-being, family and relationships, legal and financial matters, and more
   Employee Recognition Program
   Giveback Program - each employee is given $500/year to donate to a charity (Laufer has donated over $1 million!!!)
   Commuter Benefits for employees traveling to and from the NYC office
   
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   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right ocean import representative for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your ocean import representative job on Zippia to find and recruit ocean import representative candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit ocean import representatives, 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.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 ocean import representative

   Once you've found the ocean import representative candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new ocean import representative 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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