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Cargo and Freight Agents - 43-5011.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals and shipping docks. Take orders from customers and arrange pickup of freight and cargo for delivery to loading platform. Prepare and examine bills of lading to determine shipping charges and tariffs.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Air Export Specialist
  • Drop Shipment Clerk
  • Freight Broker
  • Intermodal Dispatcher
  • International Coordinator
  • Load Planner
  • Logistics Coordinator
  • Logistics Service Representative
  • Ship Broker
  • Traffic and Documentation Clerk

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Advise clients on transportation and payment methods.
  • Arrange insurance coverage for goods.
  • Assemble containers and crates used to transport items, such as machines or vehicles.
  • Attach address labels, identification codes, and shipping instructions to containers.
  • Check import or export documentation to determine cargo contents and use tariff coding system to classify goods according to fee or tariff group.
  • Contact vendors or claims adjustment departments to resolve shipment problems or contact service depots to arrange for repairs.
  • Coordinate and supervise activities of workers engaged in packing and shipping merchandise.
  • Determine method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents.
  • Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshaling areas and help load and unload goods safely.
  • Direct or participate in cargo loading to ensure completeness of load and even distribution of weight.
  • Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.
  • Estimate freight or postal rates and record shipment costs and weights.
  • Inspect and count items received and check them against invoices or other documents, recording shortages and rejecting damaged goods.
  • Install straps, braces, and padding to loads to prevent shifting or damage during shipment.
  • Keep records of all goods shipped, received, and stored.
  • Maintain a supply of packing materials.
  • Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies.
  • Notify consignees, passengers, or customers of freight or baggage arrival and arrange for delivery.
  • Open cargo containers and unwrap contents, using steel cutters, crowbars, or other hand tools.
  • Pack goods for shipping, using tools such as staplers, strapping machines, and hammers.
  • Prepare manifests showing numbers of airplane passengers and baggage, mail, and freight weights, transmitting data to destinations.
  • Retrieve stored items and trace lost shipments as necessary.
  • Route received goods to first available flight or to appropriate storage areas or departments, using forklifts, hand trucks, or other equipment.
  • Track delivery progress of shipments.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Analyze shipping information to make routing decisions.
  • Arrange insurance coverage.
  • Assemble wood products.
  • Attach identification information to products, items or containers.
  • Calculate shipping costs.
  • Coordinate operational activities.
  • Coordinate shipping activities with external parties.
  • Enter information into databases or software programs.
  • Inspect items for damage or defects.
  • Inspect shipments to ensure correct order fulfillment.
  • Load materials or equipment.
  • Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
  • Maintain operational records.
  • Manage clerical or administrative activities.
  • Negotiate financial arrangements.
  • Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment.
  • Package objects for shipping.
  • Provide notifications to customers or patrons.
  • Recommend packing or shipping methods.
  • Record shipping information.
  • Supervise clerical or administrative personnel.
  • Track goods or materials.
  • Unload materials or equipment.
  • Verify shipping documentation.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Air Traffic Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Air Transportation (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Transportation (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Transportation Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Transportation Apprentice (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Transportation Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Transportation Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Transportation Helper (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Transportation Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Transportation Journeyman (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Transportation Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Air Transportation Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Air Transportation Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Apprentice, C-130H (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Apprentice, C-130J (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Apprentice, C-146 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Apprentice, C-17 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Apprentice, C-5 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Apprentice, CAA (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Apprentice, EC-130J (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Apprentice, HC-130J (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Apprentice, HC-130N/P (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Apprentice, MC-130H (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Apprentice, MC-130J (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Apprentice, MC-130P (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Apprentice, WC-130J (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Craftsman, C-130H (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Craftsman, C-130J (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Craftsman, C-146 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Craftsman, C-17 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Craftsman, C-5 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Craftsman, CAA (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Craftsman, EC-130J (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Craftsman, HC-130J (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Craftsman, HC-130N/P (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Craftsman, MC-130H (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Craftsman, MC-130J (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Craftsman, MC-130P (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Craftsman, WC-130J (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Journeyman, C-130H (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Journeyman, C-130J (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Journeyman, C-146 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Journeyman, C-17 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Journeyman, C-5 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Journeyman, CAA (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Journeyman, EC-130J (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Journeyman, HC-130J (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Journeyman, HC-130N/P (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Journeyman, MC-130H (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Journeyman, MC-130J (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Journeyman, MC-130P (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Journeyman, WC-130J (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Loadmaster Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Maintenance (Rotary-Wing) (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Airdrop Systems Technician (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Aircraft Handling (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Aviation Maintenance Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Aviation Operations Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Aviation Supply Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Basic Logistics Marine (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Beachmaster (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • C-130 Second Loadmaster (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Cargo Handling Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Cargo Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Defense Courier Service Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Distribution Management Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Distribution Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Drydocking Officer (Floating Drydocks) (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Drydocking Officer (General) (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Expeditionary Firefighting and Rescue (EFR) Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Expeditionary Logistics Instructor (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Loadmaster, C-40A (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Household Goods Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Inventory Management Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Landing Support Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Loadmaster (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Logistics Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Logistics/Embarkation Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Logistics/Mobility Chief (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Mobility Officer (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Mobility Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Motor Transport Operator (Army - Enlisted)
  • Operations Officer, Ashore (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • RL - Special Duty Officer - Strategic Sealift Officer (SSO) (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Shipping Operations Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Traffic Management Operations (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Traffic Management Operations (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Traffic Management Operations Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Traffic Management Operations Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Traffic Management Operations Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Traffic Management Operations Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Traffic Management Operations Journeyman (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Traffic Management Operations Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Traffic Management Operations Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Transportation Management Coordinator (Army - Enlisted)
  • Transportation Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Transportation, General (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Unit Supply Specialist (Army - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Freight Broker

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Cargo Agent
  • Transportation Agent
  • Transportation Clerk