Freight Forwarder
Also advertised as: Freight Coordinator, Freight Forwarder, Freight Operations Executive, Import/Export Coordinator, Logistics Coordinator (Freight), Shipping Coordinator
Arranges the movement of goods internationally by sea, air, road or rail on behalf of clients.
What the job involves
Freight forwarders act as the middle person between businesses shipping goods and the carriers that move them, arranging the best route, handling documentation and dealing with customs. You negotiate rates with shipping lines and airlines and troubleshoot when shipments are delayed. It is a commercially minded role at the centre of global trade.
Typical responsibilities
- Arrange shipment of goods by sea, air, road or rail
- Prepare and check shipping documentation
- Negotiate rates with carriers
- Track shipments and resolve delays
- Advise clients on customs and import/export rules
Common employers
- Freight forwarding companies
- Shipping lines
- Logistics companies
- Import/export businesses
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£21,000 – £25,000 a year
With experience
£30,000 – £40,000 a year
Typical hours
37.5 hours, office based
Working environment
Office based, some warehouse or port visits
Remote working
hybrid
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Organisation
- Negotiation
- Customs regulations knowledge
- Attention to detail
- Communication
Transferable skills you may already have
- Administration or logistics experience
- Working with international clients
- Numeracy
Requirements employers ask for
- Organisation
- Negotiation
- Customs regulations knowledge
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- GCSEs including maths and English
Useful but not essential
- Administration or logistics experience
- Working with international clients
- Numeracy
- Diploma from the British International Freight Association
- Degree in logistics or international trade
Helpful qualifications
- Diploma from the British International Freight Association
- Degree in logistics or international trade
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- International Freight Forwarding Specialist (Level 3)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Business studies
- Related subject: Geography
- Related subject: Logistics
Where this career can lead
next
Senior Freight Forwarder
next
Freight Operations Manager
next
Branch Manager (Freight)
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Exposure to international trade
- Clear specialist career path
- Good earning potential with experience
What people find hard
- Pressure when shipments go wrong
- Complex and changing customs rules to keep on top of
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a freight forwarder?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a freight forwarder earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £21,000 to £25,000 a year, rising towards £40,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Administration or logistics experience, Working with international clients, Numeracy.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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