IMPORT CLERK SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Published: Aug 14, 2025 - The Import Clerk is a confident and efficient self-starter capable of performing duties independently while delivering a high level of customer service. This role requires strong administrative abilities, excellent organisational skills, effective communication, and the capacity to multitask and work well under pressure, along with confidence in addressing and resolving issues or regulatory changes. The clerk also needs previous experience in import forwarding, preferably with customs knowledge.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Import Clerk Resume
  • Customs Clearance
  • Shipment Tracking
  • Documentation Processing
  • Invoicing
  • Logistics Coordination
  • Freight Management
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Job Costing
  • Rate Calculation
  • Payment Processing
  • Customer Service
  • Problem Solving
  • Communication Skills
  • Partner Liaison
  • Client Communication
  • Relationship Management
  • Team Liaison
  • Process Improvement
  • Account Handling
  • Supplier Liaison

Summary of Import Clerk Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BA in International Business with 2 years of Experience

  • Thorough understanding of the customs procedures and freight forwarding.
  • Prior experience using relevant industry software platforms.
  • Excellent IT skills with an ability to take on new concepts.
  • Excellent focus, attention to detail, with exceptional organisation in compliance.
  • Experience in pharmaceutical or other time-critical and temperature-sensitive shipments.
  • Experience in Customs Clearance.
  • Good knowledge and experience in Customs Warehousing, Inward Processing, or CFSP.
  • Flexible to new working practices.
  • Able to be motivated.

2. BS in Supply Chain Management with 3 years of Experience

  • Previous import/export administration experience.
  • Must be computer literate.
  • Must have good numeracy skills.
  • Able to be detail-oriented.
  • Excellent communicator at all levels within a business.
  • Able to work as part of a team but on my own initiative too.
  • Good interpersonal skills to deal professionally and confidently with all levels of associates.
  • Requires fluency in English, both oral and written.
  • Able to manage time skills for planning and organizing to fully utilize oneself.

3. BA in Business Administration with 2 years of Experience

  • Knowledge of logistic daily practices.
  • Experience in shipping documentation and/or customer service in a multinational company environment.
  • Good command of both written and spoken English.
  • Responsible, positive manner and attitude, great teamwork ethic and good communication skills.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office.
  • Good understanding within the Freight forwarding industry.
  • Must have experience in Imports and Exports.
  • Must have knowledge of Seafreight.
  • Able to be computer literate.

4. BS in Logistics and Transportation with 4 years of Experience

  • Ability to pay attention to detail.
  • Ability to solve problems.
  • Ability to manage time.
  • Must have analytical skills.
  • Must have decision-making skills.
  • Ability to supply management and inform others.
  • Must have knowledge of basic Math.
  • Experience in air/freight import.
  • Freight and air import experience.
  • Must have knowledge of computers.
  • Good communication skills and typing of 50+ WPM.
  • Multi-tasking, detail-oriented, and a team player.
  • Prior freight forwarding and/or logistics experience.

5. BA in Economics with 5 years of Experience

  • Freight forwarding experience in Import Sea Freight.
  • Knowledge and experience of shipping documentation.
  • Confident and clear communication skills.
  • Proven success in building customer and supplier relationships.
  • Must have strong negotiating skills.
  • Numerate with experience in calculating freight quotations.
  • In-depth understanding of Sea-Freight products, including Incoterms.
  • Substantial experience in the Freight Forwarding industry.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Dangerous goods trained.
  • Able to demonstrate high competency in computer skills in all areas of MS Office.

6. BS in Maritime Studies with 2 years of Experience

  • Experience working in either the Import Department and Warehouse or a Freight Forwarding Company.
  • Experience using Chief (CDS).
  • Experience ETSF Transfers.
  • Ability to use the Boxtop Operating System.
  • Ability to operate cargo trained.
  • Important are excellent customer service skills and commercial sense.
  • Accuracy and attention to detail skills.
  • Confident telephone manner.
  • Good Administrative and MS Excel skills.

7. BA in International Relations with 3 years of Experience

  • Must have experience with MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel).
  • Ability to demonstrate financial awareness.
  • Self-motivated and enthusiastic approach to work at all times.
  • Must have experience in freight.
  • Knowledge of Imports or operational knowledge of import procedures.
  • Good customer service skills.
  • Proficient communicator in person, on the phone and in writing.
  • IT literacy with a good working knowledge of a variety of software applications, including Microsoft Office.
  • Adaptable to new working practices and embracing of Company Operating Systems and procedures.

8. BS in Operations Management with 2 years of Experience

  • Able to carry out the duties listed.
  • Confident and efficient self-starter who can perform unsupervised.
  • High level of customer service.
  • Strong administration skills.
  • Ability to multitask and perform under pressure.
  • Confidence to confront, resolve, correct, and/or clarify any issues, regulatory changes, or problem requirements/Implementation Specialist.
  • Previous experience within an Import Forwarding role, preferably including Customs experience.
  • Confident communicator with good organisational skills.