What does a shipping and receiving clerk do?

Shipping and receiving clerks manage all incoming and outgoing packages in a warehouse or logistics facility. They ensure that all outgoing packages are packed accurately based on the order form and secured properly based on company standards. They then ensure that the parcels are shipped and delivered. Shipping and receiving clerks also manage the receipt of all incoming packages. They check whether these incoming packages are addressed to the company. They also check if all received packages are complete and in good condition. Shipping and receiving clerks ensure that all incoming and outgoing packages are recorded and that the inventory is updated at all times.
Shipping and receiving clerk responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real shipping and receiving clerk resumes:
- Provide the necessary freight receipt information (international, DHL, USPS, FEDEX, etc . )
- Sit downs, stand ups, cherry pickers, electric and propane, large industrial type lifts as well.
- Detail orient & strong math skills.
- Receive all incoming shipments within GMP guidelines.
- Prepare FedEx and DHL labels for domestic mailings.
- Used fed ex and ups to ship packages.
- Ship completed aircraft components which pass QC tests.
- Verify incoming deliveries against packing lists and Pos.
- Train in SQF / GMP food management procedures.
- Organize pick tickets and cross check against FedEx end of day reports.
- Maintain a clean and safe workplace by following all rules and using proper PPE.
- Review and verify past due PO reports and contact suppliers to address overdue POs.
- Clean and maintain a functional work space as well as the warehouse in compliance with OSHA safety standards.
- Process, inspect, and package incoming and outgoing courier shipments per IATA regulations and TSA guidelines.
- Rout inventory to departments using forklift and motorize pallet jack.
Shipping and receiving clerk skills and personality traits
We calculated that 24% of Shipping And Receiving Clerks are proficient in Shipping Receiving, Customer Service, and Safety Regulations. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Shipping And Receiving Clerks that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Shipping Receiving, 24%
Mill operator making paint out of batch ticket / Filling line operator/shipping receiving order pulling forklift driver (5 years)
- Customer Service, 11%
Delivered excellent customer service and maintained confidentiality of business/customer documentation.
- Safety Regulations, 6%
Completed all appropriate paperwork to comply with safety regulations.
- Purchase Orders, 5%
Administered to set-up and maintain documentation process for daily outbound deliveries and inbound receiving log and verified merchandise with purchase orders.
- Electric Pallet Jack, 4%
Operated electric pallet jack to facilitate the restocking of material into inventory.
- Load Trucks, 4%
Load and unload trucks for furniture manufacturer
Common skills that a shipping and receiving clerk uses to do their job include "shipping receiving," "customer service," and "safety regulations." You can find details on the most important shipping and receiving clerk responsibilities below.
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a shipping and receiving clerk to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what shipping and receiving clerks do because "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." Additionally, a shipping and receiving clerk resume shows how shipping and receiving clerks use communication skills: "maintain and handle all communication & computer systems. "
Customer-service skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling shipping and receiving clerk duties is customer-service skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints." According to a shipping and receiving clerk resume, here's how shipping and receiving clerks can utilize customer-service skills in their job responsibilities: "filled customer orders by packaging sold items and documentation for direct shipping or by transferring orders to manufacturers or third-party distributors. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of shipping and receiving clerks is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday shipping and receiving clerk duties, as "material and product inspecting clerks must pay attention to detail when checking items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "accessed various computer systems & appropriate databases in order to provide detailed explanations of accounts and update client account information. "
Math skills. shipping and receiving clerk responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." This resume example shows what shipping and receiving clerks do with math skills on a typical day: "read the work order using scan gun and applying basic math skills with high accuracy percentages. "
The three companies that hire the most shipping and receiving clerks are:
- CEM
111 shipping and receiving clerks jobs
- Randstad North America, Inc.27 shipping and receiving clerks jobs
- Builders FirstSource21 shipping and receiving clerks jobs
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Shipping and receiving clerk vs. Clerk
Clerks are responsible for many of the general administrative tasks in the office. They are in charge of manning office telephone lines, managing incoming and outgoing mails, filing paperwork and other needed records, scheduling and documenting meetings, typing out documents when needed, disseminating memos and other official announcements, and keeping an inventory of office equipment and supplies. Clerks should have good office skills, communication skills, business writing skills, and time management skills. They should also be able to treat any document or paperwork they handle with confidentiality.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between shipping and receiving clerks and clerk. For instance, shipping and receiving clerk responsibilities require skills such as "shipping receiving," "safety regulations," "purchase orders," and "electric pallet jack." Whereas a clerk is skilled in "basic math," "math," "data entry," and "cleanliness." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Clerks earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $31,380. On the other hand, shipping and receiving clerks are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $35,267.The education levels that clerks earn slightly differ from shipping and receiving clerks. In particular, clerks are 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a shipping and receiving clerk. Additionally, they're 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Shipping and receiving clerk vs. Inventory control clerk
An inventory control clerk is responsible for managing the stock inventory, recording incoming and outgoing deliveries, and inspecting proper labeling before moving the products to the storage areas. Inventory control clerks resolve inventory discrepancies, checking and reviewing product details and reports from the warehouse software database. They also monitor shipment details, confirm orders, and process payments. An inventory control clerk must have excellent knowledge of data processing since this job requires them to perform various administrative and clerical tasks as needed to ensure the smooth operations within the department.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, shipping and receiving clerk responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "safety regulations," "load trucks," "delivery truck," and "hand trucks." Meanwhile, an inventory control clerk has duties that require skills in areas such as "data entry," "math," "basic math," and "management system." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Inventory control clerks earn a higher average salary than shipping and receiving clerks. But inventory control clerks earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $36,946. Additionally, shipping and receiving clerks earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $35,267 annually.In general, inventory control clerks achieve similar levels of education than shipping and receiving clerks. They're 0.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Shipping and receiving clerk vs. Warehouse clerk
A warehouse clerk is an employee responsible for the process of ordered goods while keeping the warehouse well-organized and clean. Warehouse clerks accept company products' deliveries, inspect them for any damages, and store them accordingly in the warehouse. Companies require their warehouse clerks to have many skills, such as an operating forklift or other machinery to transport large and heavy goods. Warehouse clerks must also possess abilities like knowledge in Warehouse Management Software programs and detailed-oriented capable of noticing small errors in orders.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from shipping and receiving clerk resumes include skills like "inventory control," "fed-ex," "wms," and "shipment data," whereas a warehouse clerk is more likely to list skills in "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "data entry," and "logistics. "
Warehouse clerks earn the best pay in the transportation industry, where they command an average salary of $32,595. Shipping and receiving clerks earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $35,267.Most warehouse clerks achieve a similar degree level compared to shipping and receiving clerks. For example, they're 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Shipping and receiving clerk vs. Logistics clerk
Logistics clerks are professionals who are responsible for regulating the supply chain of an organization by performing administrative tasks such as monitoring inventory levels, arranging transportation methods, and managing shipping schedules. These clerks are required to ensure that electronic or paper files are kept accurately and up-to-date so that they can track orders and answer billing questions. They must assist in inspecting orders that arrived in their facility so that they can identify damage and input information into their inventory records. Logistic clerks must also handle replacement for incorrect or damaged goods.
Types of shipping and receiving clerk
Updated January 8, 2025











