Freight Forwarders

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

What is a Freight Forwarder?

Freight forwarders are specialized logistics professionals who manage the transportation of goods on behalf of exporters and importers. They act as intermediaries between shippers and various transportation services, coordinating the movement of cargo across different modes such as air, sea, and land. Freight forwarders handle all aspects of logistics, including booking cargo space, negotiating freight charges, preparing shipping and customs documentation, and ensuring compliance with international trade regulations. By leveraging their expertise and industry connections, they streamline the shipping process, reduce costs, and mitigate risks for their clients, making them an essential component of global supply chains. Their services often extend to warehousing, packaging, and insurance, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations while ensuring that their products are delivered efficiently and safely.

Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$36520.0 - $72820.0

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Finding local jobs...

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Related Occupations

Tasks

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.

Technology Skills

Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint 365
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
Electronic mail software
- Microsoft Outlook 365
- Microsoft Outlook 365
Compliance software
- IES eCellerate
- Descartes CustomsInfo

Tools Used

Notebook computers
- Laptop computers
Special purpose telephones
- Multi-line telephone systems
Laser fax machine
- Laser facsimile machines
Desktop computers
Personal computers

Knowledge

Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

387 Active Jobs in South Africa

Avg Salary: R22,548pm

How to Know if You Are Ready to be a Freight Forwarder in South Africa

The logistics and supply chain sector remains a cornerstone of the South African economy, bridging the gap between our local producers and global markets. With 297 active jobs currently available, the demand for skilled professionals who can navigate the complexities of international trade is higher than ever. From an average starting point of approximately R19,842 in early 2024, the industry has seen a steady upward trajectory, with average salaries reaching R22,548pm and projected to hit nearly R24,800 by year-end. But beyond the financial rewards, are you personally equipped for this fast-paced environment?

Is Freight Forwarding Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Before committing to this career path, consider if your natural temperament aligns with the rigours of the industry. Successful South African freight forwarders typically possess these key traits:

Meticulous Attention to Detail: Can you spot a single digit error in a bill of lading or a customs declaration form?
Crisis Management Skills: Are you able to remain calm when a shipment is delayed at the Port of Durban or stuck at a border post?
Exceptional Communication: Can you effectively negotiate with shipping lines and provide clear, empathetic updates to anxious clients?
Mathematical Aptitude: Do you feel comfortable calculating volumetric weights, currency conversions, and VAT implications?
Geopolitical Awareness: Do you have a natural interest in global trade routes, international sanctions, and local SARS regulations?
Organisational Prowess: Are you capable of managing multiple moving parts, from road haulage to air freight, simultaneously?

A Day in the Life of a South African Freight Forwarder

In the South African context, your day often starts early, synchronising with international time zones. You aren't just moving boxes; you are a consultant and a problem-solver. Your morning might involve liaising with Transnet regarding port congestion, followed by a detailed session filing Customs Clearances via EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) with SARS.

By midday, you could be negotiating rates with a carrier in Dubai or Singapore, ensuring your client gets the most cost-effective route. The afternoon often involves "fighting fires"—perhaps a truck has broken down on the N3 corridor or a documentation error requires urgent rectification at the airport. It is a high-energy environment where no two days are identical, requiring you to be both a strategic planner and a tactical operator.

Education & Upskilling

While some entry-level positions exist for matriculants with strong logical skills, a formal qualification significantly accelerates your career progression and salary potential. South Africa offers several pathways:

Formal Degrees & Diplomas: Pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce in Logistics or Supply Chain Management at a university, or a National Diploma through a TVET college, provides a robust theoretical foundation.
Short Courses & Certifications: Industry-specific bodies like TETA (Transport Education Training Authority) and FIATA offer specialised programmes. These focus on practical skills like Incoterms 2020, dangerous goods handling, and customs legislation.
Continuous Learning: The industry is in a state of constant flux. Whether it is a shift in maritime law or the introduction of new digital tracking technologies, a commitment to lifelong learning is non-negotiable. Keeping your skills sharp is the only way to move from the R19,000 bracket into senior management roles.

Next Steps

The freight forwarding industry offers a vibrant, challenging, and increasingly lucrative career path for South Africans who are ready to work hard and think on their feet. If you can see yourself thriving amidst the hustle of global commerce and have the grit to manage complex logistics, you are already halfway there. However, a career choice is a significant commitment. To gain deeper insight into your suitability for this role and ensure you are making an informed decision, we encourage you to take the next step. Test your readiness now by completing our professional career assessment.

Skills

Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Abilities

Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

Bachelor's degree

44 %

Work Activities

Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Detailed Work Activities

Negotiate financial arrangements.
Analyze shipping information to make routing decisions.
Prepare documentation for contracts, transactions, or regulatory compliance.
Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
Complete documentation required by programs or regulations.

Work Interests

Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.