Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Office and administrative support / 43-5011.01

Freight Forwarders

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.

US jobs
97,670 (SOC 43-5011 group, "Cargo and Freight Agents")
Median wage
$52,260 a year
Job family
Office and administrative support

Can agents do the work of freight forwarders?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Office and administrative support: Most tasks (no change in 12 months)

Agents complete 60% or more of the tasks (or projects) on two direct benchmarks from independent institutions.

Evidence: OSWorld-Verified, 90.2% of tasks completed; SpreadsheetBench, 83.1% of tasks completed.

9% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark (figures for the SOC 43-5011 group).

  • 14%Analyze data to improve operationsNot measured
  • 8%Direct organizational operations, activities, or proceduresNot measured
  • 7%Advise others on business or operational mattersNot measured
  • 7%Monitor operations to ensure adequate performanceNot measured
  • 6%Maintain operational recordsMeasured
  • 6%Examine materials or documentation for accuracy or complianceNot measured
  • 6%Execute financial transactionsNot measured
  • 5%Prepare documentation for contracts, applications, or permitsNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in office and administrative support, not always this occupation's tasks.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Context only

These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.
  • Arrange for special transport of sensitive cargoes, such as livestock, food, or medical supplies.
  • Arrange for applicable duties, taxes, or paperwork for customs clearance.
  • Inform clients of factors such as shipping options, timelines, transfers, or regulations affecting shipments.
  • Prepare shipping documentation, such as bills of lading, packing lists, dock receipts, or certificates of origin.
  • Complete customs paperwork.
  • Prepare invoices or cost quotations for freight transportation.
  • Select shipment routes, based on nature of goods shipped, transit times, or security needs.
  • Calculate weight, volume, or cost of goods to be moved.
  • Arrange delivery or storage of goods at destinations.
  • 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.
  • Determine efficient and cost-effective methods of moving goods from one location to another.
Other job titles for this occupation (36)

Air Export Agent · Air Export Coordinator · Export Coordinator · Freight Forwarder · GSA Coordinator (General Services Administration Coordinator) · Import Agent · Ocean Export Specialist · Relocation Coordinator · Route Specialist · Air Cargo Agent · Air Export Clerk · Air Freight Forwarder · Cargo Agent · Domestic Freight Forwarder · Export Clerk · Export Freight Clerk · Export Freight Forwarder · Export Freight Manager · Export Freight Planner · Export Freight Specialist · Freight Analyst · Freight Flow Manager · Freight Operations Supervisor · Freight Router · Freight Specialist · Import Export Clerk · Import Freight Forwarder · International Freight Forwarder · Ocean Export Clerk · Ocean Freight Customer Relations Specialist · Ocean Freight Forwarder · Ocean Freight Manager · Ocean Transportation Intermediary · Transportation Clerk · Transportation Technician (Transportation Tech) · Truck Driver