WHAT DOES AN IMPORT COORDINATOR DO?
Updated: Oct 17, 2025 - The Import Coordinator supports import operations to ensure efficient shipment handling, regulatory compliance, and cost control. This role involves coordinating daily import activities with freight carriers, forwarders, trucking companies, and warehouse operations, as well as arranging customs clearance, processing documentation, and updating shipment records. The coordinator also liaises with overseas factories and agents to manage bookings, monitor space availability, and ensure timely delivery to customers.


A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Import Coordinator
1. Import Coordinator Role Purpose
- HTS Classification: Maintain classifications HTS, hazardous materials.
- Shipping Documentation: Knowledge and preparation of international shipping documentation, including forwarder and parcel.
- Freight Coordination: Work with freight forwarders, brokers, and carriers for assigned vendors, focusing on maximizing quality of service and reducing costs.
- Issue Resolution: Troubleshoot and resolve international shipping issues (documentation, customs, carrier, etc.).
- Customer Communication: Communicate and update relevant internal and external customers.
- Transportation Quoting: Perform transportation quotes for expedited shipments and vendor options.
- Service Optimization: Ensure optimum service levels and manage cost containment.
- Commercial Invoice Processing: Commercial invoice in-transit system transactions.
- Domestic Packing: Domestic packing list for in-transit system transactions.
- Third-Party Coordination: Responsible for third-party movement receiver system transactions.
- Inventory Adjustment: Responsible for inventory data adjustments.
- Customer Service Administration: Responsible for customer service administrative tasks.
2. Import Coordinator General Responsibilities
- Order Scheduling: Purchase orders are made available and ensure each shipment is scheduled in accordance with AFL guidelines regarding carrier selection and established routing.
- Shipment Confirmation: Confirm shipment and ensure delivery appointment is communicated to the client immediately.
- System Updates: Ensure shipment details are reflected in the AFL order management system.
- Pricing/Routing: Assure that the associated pricing and routing for each transportation lane in the order management system are current.
- Discrepancy Reporting: Communicate discrepancies to the respective manager.
- Shipment Monitoring: Monitor the progress of the shipment throughout the transportation life cycle and reflect all activity in the AFL order management system.
- Status Reporting: Report any changes in shipment status (e.g., delays in loading containers by the supplier, returns to the pier, clear for loading, etc.).
- Requirement Updates: Ensure any deviation from the initial shipment requirements is reflected in the system.
- Vendor Communication: Effectively and proactively communicate with appropriate transportation vendors.
- Client Requirements: Ensure the client's requirements are met and any specific information required by the client, such as commercial invoices and certificates of origin.
- Requirement Compliance: Ensure all aspects of the shipment are in line with planned requirements and proactively communicate all activity as specified by the client.
3. Import Coordinator Key Accountabilities
- Appointment Coordination: Arrange necessary appointments with the receiver, carriers, and/or agents of the client to ensure the delivery is made in accordance with the client’s requirements.
- Delivery Order Preparation: Arrange and send a delivery order to the carrier with complete details and instructions.
- Delivery Follow-Up: Continually follow up with the carrier and ensure the delivery is made on time.
- Charge Communication: Proactively communicate any waiting time, storage, demurrage, or other unforeseen charges incurred to the client and AFL management.
- Charge Invoicing: Ensure such approved charges are properly invoiced to the client or the responsible party.
- Invoice Verification: Receive vendor invoices, check for accuracy, and either approve for payment or dispute discrepancies with the vendor.
- Billing Issue Reporting: Communicate any billing issues to AFL management.
- Final Invoicing: Ensure the shipment is properly invoiced and all required vendor invoices have been received and approved.
4. Import Coordinator Roles and Details
- Import Management: Responsible for all aspects of import shipments (air, LCL, FCL).
- Shipment Quoting: Responsible for quoting, booking shipments, securing all documentation for import customs clearance, and creating arrival notices.
- Trucker Coordination: Secure and dispatch truckers accordingly.
- Warehouse Promotion: Promote the use of GLC warehouses and trucks.
- Status Updates: Update customers and agents on the status of each shipment.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure legal compliance with Customs, FMC, FDA, and other government agencies.
- Client Engagement: Promote GLC Inc. by taking each shipment as an opportunity to learn more about the importer, their manufacturers, and customers.
- Service Presentation: Present services for any of their future shipping needs.
- Industry Knowledge: Responsible for maintaining active knowledge in industry-related changes/initiatives and communicating findings to the team.
- Charge Review: Responsible for reviewing, updating, and maintaining import customer charges and for all import-related opportunities/quoting.
- Profitability Management: Maintain profitability on all files.
- Agent Development: Responsible for agent development and feedback for both agent-routed business and GLC-nominated cargo.
5. Import Coordinator Responsibilities and Key Tasks
- Import Coordination: Manage import shipments from the point of origin to the destination (including shipment to DC and customer DCs).
- Milestone Tracking: Record shipment milestones daily, communicating key information and status updates.
- Document Processing: Review and process commercial documents in a timely manner to ensure regulatory compliances are maintained.
- Operations Support: Assist the day-to-day operations of the import department to ensure that customer requirements are met.
- Vendor Performance Monitoring: Monitor performance of vendors, brokers, 3PLs, truckers, etc.
- Payment Processing: Review ACH Statements and process payments to vendors/service providers.
- Freight Partner Coordination: Support the day-to-day coordination of local and international freight partners.
- Timeline Management: Ensure deliverables are met and timelines are maintained.
6. Import Coordinator Duties and Roles
- Carrier Selection: Utilize quality carriers and obtain competitive rates.
- Invoice Creation: Create invoices to charge back the appropriate party for extra charges.
- Service Excellence: Provide unparalleled service to internal and external customers/partners.
- Relationship Management: Maintain a great professional relationship with vendors and customers, even when those counterparties are being difficult.
- Organizational Communication: Effectively communicate internally and externally at all levels of the organization.
- Team Communication: Communicate effectively with peers and management.
- Team Collaboration: Build relationships with colleagues to foster a cohesive group servicing customers/partners.
- Information Accuracy: Provide accurate, valid, and complete information obtained by using the right methods/tools.
- Quality Control: Maintain quality control standards to ensure excellent relationships with customers/partners.
- Order Processing: Promptly analyze, verify the accuracy of, and process customer orders.
- Corrective Action: Initiate corrective action to ensure the highest level of customer service and satisfaction.
- Time Management: Responsible for multitasking, prioritizing, and managing time efficiently and effectively.
7. Import Coordinator Roles and Responsibilities
- Product Sourcing: Work with the Buying Team and Design Team to source new products.
- Line Development: Help to build the line with consideration of cost and quality.
- Price Negotiation: Negotiate prices and finalize the buy with the goal of achieving the best margin.
- Tech-Pack Management: Send out the Tech-Packs to ensure production is with executable delivery and quality.
- Material Approval: Follow up on bulk fabric and trims until approval and ensure to meet delivery timelines.
- Workflow Updates: Maintain workflow updates with relevant information in a timely manner.
- Production Issue Resolution: Address efficiently and effectively all production issues from cradle to bulk.
- Quality Guidance: Guide all contributors so that all products meet company standards in terms of quality.
- Issue Management: Manage issues by suggesting different alternatives to obtain win-win results.
- Lead-Time Compliance: Ensure that all contributors respect the lead-time calendar to deliver in a timely manner.
- Air Shipment Negotiation: Negotiate air shipments with the supplier or any appropriate transit.
- Cost Impact Minimization: Ensure delivery and minimize the impact on the cost of goods.
8. Import Coordinator Additional Details
- Account Service: Provide customer service to each third-party account daily as related to their individual SOP/Tariff.
- Discrepancy Reporting: Send container/discrepancies to each account daily.
- Discrepancy Follow-Up: Follow up on all discrepancies with each account to ensure they are removed in a timely manner.
- Document Receipt: Ensure all new container documents are received from the account in a timely manner for processing.
- Document Forwarding: Send all new container docs to the processing team for data entry.
- Container Notification: Notify CFS/Traffic of all incoming containers and any changes on containers, along with haz docs or special handling requirements to CFS.
- Email Communication: Maintain accurate and timely communications by answering all emails in a timely manner to third-party accounts.
- Manifest Sending: Send the manifest to all third-party accounts as per SOP set up.
- Routing Change Notification: Inform traffic of any account IP changes in cargo routing.
- Report and Invoice Sending: Send stripped reports and invoices to all accounts, indicating any discrepancies that apply.
- GO Notification: Provide a GO notification to all accounts.
- CFS Hold Resolution: Work with OS&D and the accounts to resolve CFS Hold issues.
- Routing Assistance: Assist the account in making any routing changes.
- Customer Communication: Communicate effectively to meet customer requirements and resolve customer problems or complaints in a timely manner.
- Task Completion: Complete tasks and projects as assigned by management.
9. Import Coordinator Roles
- Customs Documentation: Prepare Customs entry documentation in compliance with Customs regulations.
- Issue Resolution: Proactively and aggressively resolve logistics and transportation issues with a focus on getting the best possible result for the customer every time.
- Data Entry: Responsible for data entry of client shipment details and update of shipment milestones.
- Exception Reporting: Create and monitor exception reports.
- On-Time Delivery: Ensure that customers’ goods are delivered on time, every time.
- Customer Communication: Actively communicate with customers to ensure 100% satisfaction and full visibility of shipment status.
- PGA Filing: Responsible for file Partner Government Agency (PGA) data sets (FDA, F&W, etc.), including FDA Prior Notice.
- Team Collaboration: Collaborate with the team to deliver outstanding service to customers while leveraging opportunities to grow business.
10. Project Import Coordinator Responsibilities
- Consultancy Services: Advice and consultancy, ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Order Management: Responsible for shipment management qualification and entry of customer orders into the operational process.
- Complaint Handling: Responsible for complaint management.
- Customer Support: Support customer development and maintenance.
- Management Cooperation: Close cooperation with Branch and Area management for an enhanced customer experience.
- Cost Avoidance: Avoid additional costs and expenses due to internal service failure.
- Quotation Management: Provide KN quotations and updates, set final selling price with individual adjustments within the given price band and in line with the national leeway in decision-making (front-line empowerment).
- Requirement Transfer: Transfer customer requirements into KN systems (Business and Customer profile).
- Data Maintenance: Maintain and integrate customer data in the KN Systems.
- Relationship Building: Establish and build customer relationships (Sales support).
- Reporting: Responsible for reporting (refining and reviewing customer-requested reports generated from KN Systems).
- Order Follow-Up: Care and follow up on first orders and document customer feedback.
- Team Participation: Actively participate in regular KN Team community-based activities.
11. Import Coordinator Tasks
- Operational Excellence: Provide operational excellence.
- Collection Arrangement: Arrange collection from customers.
- Email Management: Responsible for email management, prioritizing emails by the potential impact the response can have on customer satisfaction, quality of the product, etc.
- Shipping Documentation: Utilise in-house systems to produce shipping documentation, i.e., HAWB, MAWB.
- Flight Documentation: Import/Export flight documentation creation.
- Customs Entry Preparation: Prepare import/export entries in accordance with UK HMRC regulations.
- Post Entry Submission: Responsible for submitting the post entry.
- Billing Management: Responsible for job file invoicing/billing (transferring all the information required for ensuring the accuracy of the billing process).
- Invoice Validation: Supply invoices/cost validation and approval.
- File Maintenance: Operational housekeeping, to ensure the shipping file is updated accordingly.
- Document Archiving: Responsible for post-flight, PODs, and Docstore (internal archiving system).
12. Import Coordinator Details and Accountabilities
- Study Control Coordination: Work with Study Control in line with the customer SOPs.
- Shipment Processing: Process shipments “re-icing/packaging”.
- Dangerous Goods Handling: Responsible for dangerous goods recognition.
- Data Entry: Enter consignment notes into the in-house Transport Management System.
- Package Preparation: Make and label packages.
- Shipment Monitoring: Monitor shipment progress and update milestones in TMS.
- Approval Coordination: Get shipping approval from global LSPs.
- Vendor Liaison: Liaise with the clients' vendors for updates, cost, routing options, etc.
- TCP/TCV Management: Responsible for TCP and TCV recognition and management.
13. Import Coordinator Overview
- Customer Growth: Ensure the growth of retained customers to maximize/increase the amount of business carried for every customer.
- Query Resolution: Ensure that all queries and complaints are investigated and responded to promptly, both from external sources, internal customers, and suppliers.
- Issue Response: Guarantee efficient response to customer issues and complaints.
- Service Promotion: Showcase unique service features of the client to increase value-added solutions to customers.
- Customer Dependency: Increase dependency for customers to ensure the client is the sole provider they use across all modes.
- KPI Achievement: Meet its administrative KPIs.
- Project Involvement: Involved with larger project movements and special customer requests.
- Manager Support: Assist the direct reporting manager with any other additional reasonable management requests.
14. Import Coordinator Job Description
- Relationship Management: Develop and maintain strong customer relationships with forwarders and vendors to obtain all necessary documentation.
- Tariff Knowledge: Understand tariff schedules.
- Document Compliance: Ensure that packing lists, commercial invoices, and bills of lading received from vendors and freight forwarders are complete and in compliance with customs regulations.
- Shipment Entry: Enter import shipments into ERP/MRP system, including quantities, costs, and ETAs.
- Service Understanding: Understand the service expectations and requirements of customers and vendors.
- Shipment Monitoring: Monitor the status of shipments on the vessel, at the port, and during inland transportation to keep the MRP system updated.
- Delay Communication: Work closely with Purchasing and Customer Service departments to communicate any delays.
- Document Accuracy Review: Scrutinize customs and freight documents for accuracy and input tariff/duties and freight costs, and any additional fees and charges into the company’s software systems.
- Booking Assistance: Assist the Logistics Manager in acquiring quotes and vessel and air bookings.
- Invoice Processing: Process/send invoices to customers and overseas agents.
15. Air Import Coordinator Functions
- Customer Relationship Management: Build strong customer relationships, providing them full visibility on progress through proactive communication.
- Customs Entry Processing: Complete air import customs entries via Sequoia.
- Shipment Coordination: Coordinate/follow up on the shipment.
- Document Administration: Document, administer, invoice, and file into the digital system.
- Operational Troubleshooting: Responsible for operational troubleshooting.
- Quotation Management: Responsible for quotations upon request.
- KPI Reporting: Report in accordance with the KPIs.
- Subcontractor Cooperation: Cooperate with approved subcontractors in accordance with agreed rates.
- Financial Deadline Compliance: Meet financial end-of-month deadlines for both accruals and sales invoices.
- End-to-End Processing: Responsible for end-to-end processing.
- Order Handling: Punctual and flawless order handling and documentation.
- File Management: Handle all files within a dedicated time frame.
- Clear Communication: Clear communication with the customer/suppliers.
- Milestone Registration: Registrate milestone data in the in-house operating system.
16. Import Coordinator Accountabilities
- Booking Management: Book management with forwarders and factories.
- Workflow Prioritization: Prioritize daily workflow according to the company’s needs.
- Import Planning: Work in advance of upcoming imports.
- Report Generation: Run reports to supply visibility to divisions.
- Factory Liaison: Liaison between factories and forwarders.
- Data Accuracy: Ensure the accuracy of data in SAP and Trinium.
- Delivery Communication: Communicate with appropriate teams on any delivery concerns.
- SOP Compliance: Ensure forwarders are following established SOPs.
- Data Entry: Perform all data entry for shipping document creation and carrier assignment.
- SOP Documentation: Document, update, and follow Standard Operating Procedures established to achieve high levels of quality services.
17. Import Coordinator Job Summary
- Shipment Tracking: Use different external websites in order to effectively track shipments and update SAP, in addition to generating paperwork.
- Exception Management: Perform track and trace functions as well as exception management follow-up.
- System Proficiency: Develop knowledge using providers’ shipping systems, such as but not limited to UPS, DHL, and FedEx.
- Document Understanding: Understand shipment documents in coordination with compliance.
- Communication Management: Establish and maintain effective communications with all production and support groups, including outside groups (transportation, custom brokers, customers, and suppliers).
- Exception Case Assistance: Assist with foreign origin shipping exception cases, container utilization decisions, PO ship window, and destination deviations.
- Issue Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot and diagnose in-transit issues for the division assigned, all ship modes.
- Transit Time Resolution: Resolve ocean and air transit time questions and issues as they arise.
- Report Management: Run and update reports within various applications.
18. Import Coordinator Responsibilities
- Import and Customs Management: Manage the import, shipping, and customs processes for inbound shipments.
- International Communication: Communicate with the manufacturing facility in China regarding shipment schedules and lead times.
- Order and Invoice Entry: Enter sales orders, purchase orders, invoices, and bills into systems.
- Outbound Shipment Management: Manage outbound shipments to meet the delivery schedule.
- Document Organization: Organize and maintain document files.
- Operations Meeting Participation: Attend weekly operations meetings.
- Procedure Improvement: Analyze and improve operations procedures.
- Business Growth Initiatives: Provide initiatives for business growth.
19. Import Coordinator Details
- Import Process Management: Ensure the management of all aspects of the import process.
- Information Communication: Obtain and communicate internally and externally all necessary information.
- Customer Issue Management: Responsible for managing customer issues.
- Documentation Accuracy: Ensure documentation is received and accurate.
- Booking Management: Manage and arrange bookings correctly.
- Client Meeting Participation: Responsible for attending client meetings.
- Staff Training: Assist with staff training and sharing knowledge within the team.
- Deadline Compliance: Responsible for meeting tight deadlines.
- Team Collaboration: Work well as part of a team and continually improve processes.
- Procedure Administration: Administrate procedures and work instructions.
20. Parts Import Coordinator Duties
- Supplier Coordination: Deal with suppliers in Singapore.
- Back-Order Management: Order customer back-orders from suppliers abroad.
- Import Costing: Create import costings for incoming shipments and receipt of goods.
- Shipment Receiving: Receive key shipments and release these key backorders promptly for the Warehouse Team to dispatch.
- Issue Resolution: Ensure prompt and appropriate actions are taken for all inquiries/issues.
- Sales Team Communication: Ensure the Parts Sales Team is advised of problem items, canceled items, and delays with customer orders.
- Customer Notification: Advise customers of any backorders, shipment delays, and supply issues.
- Inquiry Handling: Handle both internal and external customer inquiries efficiently and effectively, such as price and availability.
- Part Number Creation: Create new part numbers, overseas freight charge quotations, and obtain data cards.
- Freight Forwarder Follow-Up: Actively and constantly follow up with freight forwarders on shipment progress.
21. Parts Import Coordinator Roles
- Team Communication: Keep the Warehouse team, Purchasing and Sales team, and Dealers updated.
- Supplier Coordination: Communicate and constantly follow up with overseas and local suppliers and resolve issues.
- Replacement Journal Management: Monitor and keep the item replacements journal up-to-date.
- Purchase Order Reconciliation: Reconcile open purchase orders regularly and control lead time for overdue items.
- Requisition Monitoring: Monitor requisition worksheets and dealer credit memos for the return of workshop keys.
- Discrepancy Reporting: Assist with discrepancy reporting and lodging claims with vendors.
- Parts Administration Support: Provide back-up for the Parts Administration team's duties on day-to-day functions.
- Staff Coverage: Step up when staff are on leave or during sick periods.
- Process Improvement: Assist with special projects and fine-tune/update processes regularly.
- Consignment Compliance: Ensure consignments conform to the freight forwarder's requirements.
22. Import Coordinator Job Description
- Import Operations Support: Support import operations to maximize service to the business and its team members while ensuring compliance and minimizing costs.
- Shipment Coordination: Daily coordination on import shipments with freight carriers, forwarders, and NVOCC.
- Logistics Liaison: Liaison with trucking and warehouse operations for shipment delivery and empty equipment pick-up.
- Document Processing: Responsible for processing import documents, ensuring accuracy and timely filing.
- Customs Clearance Arrangement: Arrange customs clearance with a customs broker.
- Purchasing Collaboration: Work collaboratively with the Purchasing team on direct containers and deliveries to the customer, and update shipment information on the container report.
- POE Scheduling: Schedule and coordinate customer POE shipments with updates to the business.
- Overseas Communication: Communicate with factories and agents overseas daily to assist with bookings and space availability.
23. Import Coordinator Roles and Responsibilities
- Quotation Preparation: Prepare quotes for customers and agents using the quotation system, and negotiate rates with carriers.
- Shipping Coordination: Coordinate shipping arrangements.
- Freight Arrangement: Coordinate and arrange shipping freight with overseas agents and partners.
- Document Handling: Handle all documents related to shipping freight, including setting up files for pre-alerts received, maintaining customer updates, preparing documents for customs clearance, selecting and dispatching truckers, arranging delivery to customers, processing payables and billing in the accounting system, checking shipment status, checking PODs and charges, tracking cargo from origin to final destination, and following up on shipments for final ETA date.
- Quality System Support: Support and maintain the Quality System (ISO) by working closely with management, sales, and/or operations.
- Goal Achievement: Ensure goals and objectives are met with regard to the function(s) of this position.
- Procedure Compliance: Ensure adherence to procedures for any issues of non-conformance that could or do directly affect the success of the Quality System.
- Vendor Relationship Management: Develop and maintain successful relationships with local vendors (e.g., airline representatives, freight forwarders, customs brokers).
24. Import Coordinator Duties and Roles
- Import/Export Operations: Handle the whole process of import/export operations.
- Shipment Coordination: Coordinate with co-loaders, carriers, contractors, internal office, and warehouse staff for shipment arrangements.
- Complaint Handling: Handle all complaints or cargo damage issues and subsequently report to the Sales Managers on the actions taken in correcting these matters.
- Debt Collection: Manage and coordinate with clients on the collection of money and outstanding debts.
- Air Import Processing: Process air import shipments effectively and efficiently.
- Customs Liaison: Work with Australian Customs regarding automated customs advice and problem-solving.
- Cost Invoicing: Invoice and post costs on individual files and ensure no losses on files.
- Process Compliance: Ensure correct process flow and ensure all documentation is handled.
- Consolidation Management: Ensure all consolidations are entered and relevant cargo statuses obtained for all shipments.
25. Import Coordinator Role Purpose
- Order Entry: Schedule and process orders/enter all orders.
- Dispatching: Dispatch and communicate with customers, suppliers, and the team.
- Fulfillment: Oversee the cycle of fulfillment.
- Supply Chain: Coordinate, analyze, and monitor the supply chain.
- Customer Service: Responsible for customer service and record-keeping skills.
- Import Booking: Responsible for importing bookings.
- Data Control: Responsible for data entry and document control.
- Job Processing: Ensure all jobs and related charges, fees, and documentation are processed accurately and within required timeframes.
- Invoicing: Responsible for invoicing, customer service, and reporting.
- Communication: Responsible for email and phone management.
26. Import Coordinator Roles
- Port Coordination: Coordinate with truckers and brokers on pickup and handling of shipments from the ports.
- Delivery Orders: Work closely with brokers regarding the issuance of delivery orders.
- Trucker Coordination: Coordinate with the trucker on staging and delivery to the customer's DC.
- Trailer Building: Build trailers with truckers prior to delivery to the customer.
- Origin Coordination: Coordinate with origin teams on shipment issues.
- Discrepancy Resolution: Work with the overseas team on shipment discrepancies, shortages, ASN issues, and the reprinting of UCC labels.
- Third-Party Liaison: Liaise with 3rd parties, agents, and suppliers.
- Customs Handling: Handle customs, manage clearance information, and import documentation.
- Goods Receipt: Manage deliveries and receipt of goods.
- Client Liaison: Liaise with clients/customers.
- Paperwork Processing: Process paperwork and handle correspondence via phone and email.
- System Usage: Use internal systems and agent portals.
27. Import Coordinator Overview
- Rate Negotiation: Negotiate rates with suppliers and international clients.
- Import Management: Manage full import operations from start to finish (door to door).
- Freight Advisory: Advise and liaise with customers and clients and recommend the best freight options.
- Booking Management: Create bookings and liaise with internal teams to manage the diary and workload.
- Customs Documentation: Work with internal teams to manage customs documentation.
- Cargo Tracking: Cargo tracking, data quality control, invoicing, and active file ownership.
- Transport Arrangement: Responsible for arranging interstate transport.
- Debit Note Approval: Invoicing and approving origin debit notes.
- Client Liaison: Liaise with key clients, service providers, and international partners.
- Supplier Relations: Maintain strong supplier relationships.
28. Import Coordinator Job Description
- Route Planning: Plan route shipments.
- Rate Negotiation: Negotiate trucking rates and handling costs.
- Freight Coordination: Coordinate ocean freight and air freight shipments.
- Customs Release: Arrange freight and customs releases.
- Trade Compliance: Follow the guidelines for international trade.
- Shipment Monitoring: Monitor and coordinate the progress of each shipment daily.
- Customer Liaison: Liaise with customers, carriers, and other offices.
- Inbound Processing: Process inbound shipments, file customs docs, and prepare commercial documents.
- Customer Communication: Maintain communication and information between customers and vendors to ensure that customers' needs are being met.
- Invoicing Oversight: Monitor the invoicing of all inbound shipments, in addition to special projects and any prepaid freight charges, on a weekly basis.
- ITS Documentation: Work with customs to ensure that Immediate Transportation (ITS) is properly documented for permission to move the product.
29. Import Coordinator Functions
- Booking Coordination: Responsible for coordinating bookings.
- Shipment Monitoring: Closely monitor and follow up on shipments.
- Status Updates: Update shipment status, issue arrival notices, authority to make entry, and obtain documents for customs entries.
- Carrier Follow-Up: Follow up with the carrier on arrival, AMS, and flight information.
- Customs Documentation: Provide the customs broker with documentation.
- Freight Release: Arrange freight release with steamship lines and confirm cargo availability.
- Delivery Coordination: Responsible for coordinating deliveries.
- Import Booking: Coordinate bookings from importers and overseas offices to the final destination.
- Customer Communication: Follow up with the carrier on arrival, AMS, flight information, and communicate with the customers and customs broker.
- Rate Negotiation: Negotiate the best rates for inland trucking.
- Invoice Processing: Process invoices accurately and in a timely manner.
30. Import Coordinator Duties
- Customs Compliance: Follow internal procedures to create compliant customs entry files, both digitally and with paper.
- Professional Correspondence: Correspond in English via email and voice with buyers, vendors, service providers, and colleagues, always maintaining a high level of customer service and professionalism.
- Record Keeping: Maintain current record-keeping system, both digitally and physically, for compliant customs entry files.
- Project Collaboration: Work closely and collaborate with fellow import team associates, buyers, vendors, and service providers to accomplish special projects.
- Cross-Training: Responsible for cross-training to learn new duties within the import department and assisting with them.
- Item Master Maintenance: Responsible for maintaining the item master.
- Reporting and Auditing: Provide reporting, as well as audit support.
- Shipment Data Management: Manage data for international shipments and provide support for many steps of the transportation process.
- Customs Coordination: Work with customs brokers, warehouses, shipping companies, and clients.
- Customer Issue Resolution: Ensure that appropriate actions are taken to resolve customers' problems and concerns.
- Shipping Support: Help with shipping, receiving, and record keeping for all shipment transactions.
31. Import Coordinator Accountabilities
- Import Management: Manage all import shipments, including ocean and/or air freight.
- Issue Coordination: Coordinate with suppliers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers to resolve any shipment issues.
- Charge Monitoring: Monitor all accessorial, detention, and demurrage charges.
- Delivery Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot and resolve any delivery issues.
- Freight Booking: Schedule and coordinate ocean freight bookings.
- Document Evaluation: Evaluate shipment documents to ensure products are shipped in compliance with purchase contracts.
- ETA Tracking: Track and communicate accurate shipment ETAs to internal stakeholders.
- Document Review: Review incoming documents and confirm shipping details against documents.
- Partner Coordination: Interface with global logistics partners to coordinate international air/ocean import operations.
- Documentation Processing: Process all related import documentation, complying with regulations in a timely and efficient manner.
- Shipment Communication: Monitor shipments and communicate with clients and vendors accordingly about the status and progress.
- Logistics Coordination: Coordinate logistics process by communicating between customers, carriers, vendors, overseas offices, and agents regarding shipments.
- Customer Service: Provide timely and effective customer service to clients and escalate any issues to a supervisor.
32. Import Coordinator Accountabilities
- Purchase Order Management: Create and maintain purchase orders and associated import documentation.
- Broker Communication: Communicate with domestic and international customs brokers.
- Rate Negotiation: Communicate with and negotiate rates with transportation providers.
- Vendor Compliance: Monitor vendor compliance and performance.
- Shipment Tracking: Track shipping information, keeping close watch for delays and discrepancies.
- Management Reporting: Provide management with weekly and monthly reporting.
- Discrepancy Resolution: Assist when vendors send back the booking to Yusen if something doesn’t match, creating a discrepancy that sales and purchasing need to approve and update in the system.
- Import Documentation: Create import documentation for DAP shipments, and follow up.
- Air Freight Coordination: Work with air forwarders to move the shipment.
33. Import Coordinator Roles and Responsibilities
- Commodity Code Management: Audit and update the commodity code database, classifying new products and updating codes when changes to the tariffs are made.
- Declaration Verification: Check all inbound declarations into the EU and UK for commodity and CPC codes, weights, and carton counts to ensure they are correct and match shipping documents.
- Stock Discrepancy Resolution: Help the goods-in team to resolve any stock discrepancies within 4 days of arrival into the warehouse, as required by the customs warehouse.
- Customs Inquiry Support: Help with any questions raised by customs, which may require working with the accounts department to create audit trails.
- Declaration Monitoring: Monitor declarations made daily from the bond, checking stock levels and movements to ensure they follow all rules of CFSP and CW.
- Post-Entry Audit: Conduct post-entry audits of clearances.
- Record Keeping: Maintain records per regulations.
- ISF Filing: Perform ISF filings for certain incoming ocean shipments.
- Customs Data Entry: Responsible for data entry for customs entry filing.
34. Import Coordinator Details and Accountabilities
- Import Coordination: Coordinate and arrange air and ocean import services on behalf of shippers and international destination offices/agents from end-to-end.
- File Management: Create files, arrange for pick-up, and obtain shipment documentation necessary for domestic or international transportation, acting as a liaison between parties to provide status updates.
- Data Entry: Enter shipment and booking details in a timely and accurate manner.
- Document Submission: Submit all required documentation from the system, i.e., AES, EDI, Master, booking confirmation, etc.
- Shipment Communication: Communicate with various contacts (customers, vendors, partners, and more) in processing shipments.
- Invoicing: Execute invoicing and closing of files as per established guidelines and KPIs.
- Activity Reporting: Provide daily activity reports to management.
- Business Correspondence: Field and send out written business correspondence.
- Call Routing: Organize and route incoming telephone calls.
- Customer Service: Provide accurate, friendly customer service in a timely fashion.