Import-export clerk

You could do a degree before applying to join a freight company's management training scheme.

Employers accept most subjects but you may have an advantage if you study:

• transport and distribution management
• logistics and supply chain management
• business and management
• business studies with a foreign language

Choosing a degree with an industry placement or a summer internship could help you to get relevant skills and might be useful when you apply for jobs.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could apply to do an International Freight Forwarding Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This can take up to 2 years to complete and combines on-the-job training and time spent with a learning provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You could start as an administrator in a freight forwarding or logistics department and work your way up through training and promotion.

You'll find it useful to have office experience and good computer skills.

You're likely to need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths. Some employers might want you to have A levels or a higher education qualification.

You could do a training course through an industry body, such as The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade .

Courses start from introductory level onwards, so you can choose what to do based on your knowledge and experience.

Career Tips

You may have an advantage in some jobs, if you can speak a second language, especially if you want to work for a company that operates internationally.

Further Information

You can find out more about working in logistics and transport from Generation Logistics .

As an import-export clerk, you could:

• manage freight bookings using a computer system
• check that all shipment documentation meets tax and customs rules
• work with national and international suppliers and agents
• arrange freight deliveries and collections between ports, airports and warehouses
• prepare paperwork like invoices, payment records and certificates of origin
• update clients with shipment progress and deal with problems or delays

You could work in an office or in a warehouse.