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43-5011.01 · Task explorer

Freight Forwarders: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Research rates, routings, or modes of transport for shipment of products. Maintain awareness of regulations affecting the international movement of cargo. Make arrangements for additional services, such as storage or inland transportation.

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Read the task inventory

This source lists 31 tasks, including 23 marked Core and 8 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2024.

31 tasks shown

Core · Task 17693 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.

Core · Task 17684 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Arrange for special transport of sensitive cargoes, such as livestock, food, or medical supplies.

Core · Task 17700 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Arrange for applicable duties, taxes, or paperwork for customs clearance.

Core · Task 17689 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Inform clients of factors such as shipping options, timelines, transfers, or regulations affecting shipments.

Core · Task 17687 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Prepare shipping documentation, such as bills of lading, packing lists, dock receipts, or certificates of origin.

Core · Task 17701 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Complete customs paperwork.

Core · Task 17696 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Prepare invoices or cost quotations for freight transportation.

Core · Task 17680 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Select shipment routes, based on nature of goods shipped, transit times, or security needs.

Core · Task 17686 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Calculate weight, volume, or cost of goods to be moved.

Core · Task 17683 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Arrange delivery or storage of goods at destinations.

Core · Task 19830 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Arrange for transport, using a variety of modes, such as rail, short sea shipping, air, or roadways, to minimize carbon emissions or other environmental impacts.

Core · Task 17681 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Determine efficient and cost-effective methods of moving goods from one location to another.

Core · Task 17695 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Pay or arrange for payment of freight or insurance fees or other charges.

Core · Task 17692 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Monitor or record locations of goods in transit.

Core · Task 17690 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Keep records of goods dispatched or received.

Core · Task 17682 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Reserve necessary space on ships, aircraft, trains, or trucks.

Core · Task 17694 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Obtain or arrange cargo insurance.

Core · Task 17688 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Consolidate loads with a common destination to reduce costs to individual shippers.

Core · Task 17703 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Provide detailed port information to importers or exporters.

Core · Task 17704 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Provide shipment status notification to exporters, consignees, or insurers.

Core · Task 17698 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Verify proper packaging and labeling of exported goods.

Core · Task 17699 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Verify adherence of documentation to customs, insurance, or regulatory requirements.

Core · Task 17691 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Maintain current knowledge of relevant legislation, political situations, or other factors that could affect freight shipping.

Supplemental · Task 17697 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Recommend or arrange appropriate merchandise packing methods, according to climate, terrain, weight, nature of goods, or costs.

Supplemental · Task 17705 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Refer exporters to experts in areas such as trade financing, international marketing, government export requirements, international banking, or marine insurance.

Supplemental · Task 17702 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Make arrangements with customs brokers to facilitate the passage of goods through customs.

Supplemental · Task 19832 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Recommend shipping solutions to minimize cost or environmental impacts.

Supplemental · Task 19833 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Review the environmental records of freight carriers to inform shipping decisions.

Supplemental · Task 19829 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Analyze shipping routes to determine how to minimize environmental impact.

Supplemental · Task 19831 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Consider environmental sustainability factors when determining merchandise packing methods.

Supplemental · Task 17685 · 08/2024 · Incumbent

Assist clients in obtaining insurance reimbursements.

Make the shortlist useful

  1. Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
  2. For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
  3. Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.