How to Become a Freight Forwarder: A Practical Guide to Getting Started
Freight forwarding is one of the less visible but most interesting jobs in logistics. Here is how freight forwarding works, the skills you need and how to get your first role.
Freight forwarding questions crop up regularly in logistics communities online, usually from people trying to understand how goods actually get from a factory in one country to a shop in another. If that process interests you, it could be a career. Here is how to become a freight forwarder, and what the job is really like.
What Is Freight Forwarding?
A freight forwarder arranges the movement of goods on behalf of a client, usually across borders. They do not normally own the ships, planes or lorries. Instead, they book space with carriers, organise collection and delivery, prepare or check the paperwork and make sure customs requirements are met.
Think of them as the travel agent and project manager for a shipment.
What Does a Freight Forwarder Do Day to Day?
- Quoting prices for shipments by sea, air or road
- Booking space with shipping lines, airlines and hauliers
- Preparing or checking shipping documents
- Working with customs brokers on import and export declarations
- Tracking shipments and solving problems when things go wrong
- Keeping clients updated
Delays, missing paperwork and changing rules are part of the job, so it suits calm, organised people who like solving problems.
How to Become a Freight Forwarder: The Skills You Need
You do not usually need a degree. Employers tend to look for:
Learn the Language of Freight Forwarding
A big part of getting started is learning the terms. Incoterms set out who is responsible for what in an international sale. You will also hear about bills of lading, air waybills, commodity codes and customs declarations. Since Brexit, customs knowledge has become much more valuable for anyone moving goods between the UK and the EU.
Training and Qualifications
Many forwarders learn on the job. The British International Freight Association, BIFA, runs training courses for people working in the industry, and there are apprenticeships in international freight and customs roles. Short courses in customs procedures and Incoterms are a useful addition to a CV.
How to Get Your First Freight Forwarder Job
Most people start as a trainee, junior operator or customer service coordinator at a forwarding company, then move into operations or sales. Experience in a warehouse, in shipping or in customer service can help. In applications, show that you are organised, good with detail and interested in how international trade works.
You can browse logistics roles on our vacancies page or read more on our logistics jobs hub. Our free CV checker can help you get your CV ready.
How to Become a Freight Forwarder: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a freight forwarder?
Most people start as a trainee or junior operator at a freight forwarding company and learn on the job, sometimes with industry training or an apprenticeship.
Do you need a degree to be a freight forwarder?
Usually not. Employers tend to value organisation, attention to detail, communication and an interest in international trade.
What does a freight forwarder do?
A freight forwarder arranges the movement of goods for clients, booking carriers, organising collection and delivery, handling paperwork and working with customs.
What is BIFA?
BIFA is the British International Freight Association, the trade body for UK freight forwarders. It runs training courses for people in the industry.
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