What does a Freight Forwarder do?

According to people in this career, the main tasks are...

TaskImportance
Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.
92%
Arrange for special transport of sensitive cargoes, such as livestock, food, or medical supplies.
90%
Arrange for applicable duties, taxes, or paperwork for customs clearance.
90%
Inform clients of factors such as shipping options, timelines, transfers, or regulations affecting shipments.
90%
Prepare shipping documentation, such as bills of lading, packing lists, dock receipts, or certificates of origin.
90%
Complete customs paperwork.
89%
Recommend or arrange appropriate merchandise packing methods, according to climate, terrain, weight, nature of goods, or costs.
89%
Refer exporters to experts in areas such as trade financing, international marketing, government export requirements, international banking, or marine insurance.
89%
Prepare invoices or cost quotations for freight transportation.
88%
Select shipment routes, based on nature of goods shipped, transit times, or security needs.
87%
Calculate weight, volume, or cost of goods to be moved.
87%
Make arrangements with customs brokers to facilitate the passage of goods through customs.
87%
Arrange delivery or storage of goods at destinations.
87%
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.
87%
Recommend shipping solutions to minimize cost or environmental impacts.
86%
Determine efficient and cost-effective methods of moving goods from one location to another.
86%
Pay or arrange for payment of freight or insurance fees or other charges.
86%
Monitor or record locations of goods in transit.
85%
Keep records of goods dispatched or received.
85%
Reserve necessary space on ships, aircraft, trains, or trucks.
85%
Obtain or arrange cargo insurance.
84%
Review the environmental records of freight carriers to inform shipping decisions.
84%
Analyze shipping routes to determine how to minimize environmental impact.
84%
Consolidate loads with a common destination to reduce costs to individual shippers.
83%
Provide detailed port information to importers or exporters.
82%
Provide shipment status notification to exporters, consignees, or insurers.
82%
Consider environmental sustainability factors when determining merchandise packing methods.
82%
Verify proper packaging and labeling of exported goods.
81%
Verify adherence of documentation to customs, insurance, or regulatory requirements.
81%
Maintain current knowledge of relevant legislation, political situations, or other factors that could affect freight shipping.
78%
Assist clients in obtaining insurance reimbursements.
74%