What You'll Do

  • Sign documents on behalf of clients, using powers of attorney.
  • Provide advice on transportation options, types of carriers, or shipping routes.
  • Post bonds for the products being imported or assist clients in obtaining bonds.
  • Insure cargo against loss, damage, or pilferage.
  • Obtain line releases for frequent shippers of low-risk commodities, high-volume entries, or multiple-container loads.
  • Contract with freight forwarders for destination services.
  • Arrange for transportation, warehousing, or product distribution of imported or exported products.
  • Suggest best methods of packaging or labeling products.
  • Request or compile necessary import documentation, such as customs invoices, certificates of origin, and cargo-control documents.
  • Stay abreast of changes in import or export laws or regulations by reading current literature, attending meetings or conferences, or conferring with colleagues.

Essential Skills

Active Listening 4.0/5
Reading Comprehension 3.88/5
Writing 3.75/5
Speaking 3.75/5
Critical Thinking 3.75/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.75/5
Active Learning 3.25/5
Monitoring 3.25/5
Service Orientation 3.25/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.25/5
Time Management 3.25/5
Learning Strategies 3.12/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Leader: Taking charge and moving ideas forward motivates you.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.

Common styles

Integrity, Attention to Detail, Dependability, Cautiousness, Perseverance

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Written Comprehension 3.88/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.88/5
Oral Comprehension 3.75/5
Oral Expression 3.75/5
Written Expression 3.75/5
Near Vision 3.75/5
Speech Clarity 3.62/5
Information Ordering 3.5/5

Technologies & Tools

Automated commercial environment software ACE Automated system for customs data ASYCUDA Customs records databases Electronic data interchange EDI software Materials requirement planning MRP software Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Operating system software Optical character reader OCR software Parts classification databases SAP Customs Management SAP software Tariff databases Web browser software

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

  • Integrity (High importance: 4.81/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.78/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.77/5)
  • Cautiousness (High importance: 4.59/5)
  • Perseverance (High importance: 4.18/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Air Export Agent Air Export Operations Agent Air Import Agent Boarding Agent Cargo Agent Cargo Broker Cargo Office Agent Corporate Licensed Broker Customs Agent Customs Analyst Customs and Border Patrol Agent (CBP Agent) Customs Broker Customs Brokerage Agent Customs Brokerage Coordinator Customs Brokerage Entry Writer Customs Brokerage Representative Customs Brokerage Specialist Customs Compliance Analyst Customs Compliance Specialist Customs Consultant Customs Entry Writer Customs House Broker Customs Specialist Entry Writer Export Administrator Export Agent Export Operations Agent Exporter Import Agent Import Coordinator Import-Export Agent Import/Export Administrator Import/Export Agent Import/Export Specialist Importer Importer Exporter International Trade Specialist Licensed Customs Broker Ocean Export Agent Ocean Import Agent Ocean Import Representative Operations Assistant Trade Facilitator