What Do Cargo and Freight Agents Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Cargo and Freight Agents

Cargo and Freight Agents expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals and shipping docks. Take orders from customers and arrange pickup of freight and cargo for delivery to loading platform. Prepare and examine bills of lading to determine shipping charges and tariffs.

Salary
$47170
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality



Job Description

Job Description

Cargo and Freight Agents expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals, and shipping docks. Take orders from customers and arrange pickup of freight and cargo for delivery to loading platform. Prepare and examine bills of lading to determine shipping charges and tariffs. They also estimate freight or postal rates and record shipment costs and weights.

Other tasks include:

  • Keep records of all goods shipped, received, and stored.
  • Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.
  • Check import or export documentation to determine cargo contents and use tariff coding system to classify goods according to fee or tariff group.
  • Prepare manifests showing numbers of airplane passengers and baggage, mail, and freight weights, transmitting data to destinations.
  • Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies.
  • Advise clients on transportation and payment methods.

We asked Cargo and Freight Agents how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

64%

How meaningful is this job

44%


64% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 44% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Cargo and Freight Agents keep records of all goods shipped, received, and stored. They route received goods to first available flight or to appropriate storage areas or departments, using forklifts, hand trucks, or other equipment.

A typical day for a Cargo and Freight Agent will also include:

  • Prepare manifests showing numbers of airplane passengers and baggage, mail, and freight weights, transmitting data to destinations.
  • Attach address labels, identification codes, and shipping instructions to containers.
  • Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.
  • Notify consignees, passengers, or customers of freight or baggage arrival and arrange for delivery.
  • Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshaling areas and help load and unload goods safely.

We asked some Cargo and Freight Agents a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 100% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 60% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 69% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 74% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 6% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 26% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Cargo and Freight Agents also direct or participate in cargo loading to ensure completeness of load and even distribution of weight. They may also open cargo containers and unwrap contents, using steel cutters, crowbars, or other hand tools.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Cargo and Freight Agents Contact vendors or claims adjustment departments to resolve shipment problems or contact service depots to arrange for repairs. They might also Assemble containers and crates used to transport items, such as machines or vehicles.

In addition, they Pack goods for shipping, using tools such as staplers, strapping machines, and hammers.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Coordinate and supervise activities of workers engaged in packing and shipping merchandise.

To some Cargo and Freight Agents, it is also their responsibility to Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies.


Working life

Working hours

More than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Cargo and Freight Agent, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Do Cargo and Freight Agents work in an office-style work environment?

Every day
82%


Once a year
7%


Do Cargo and Freight Agents work outdoors?

Never
76%


Every day
15%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Organizers and The Entrepreneurs

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Cargo and Freight Agents

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Related to Cargo and Freight Agents Job Description

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Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes435011.htm


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