Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

The Work

Freight clerks arrange the movement of cargo in or out of the country. They have to ensure that this is done as quickly, efficiently and economically as possible. Freight Clerks are agents for carriers of all kinds - moving goods by road, rail, sea and air. They will assess transportation problems and make recommendations concerning the best method of shipment and packaging.  
 
A freight clerk's duties are likely to include selecting routes and carriers, booking cargo space, dealing with rates and schedules, making calculations using computers, and preparing invoices and quotations.  
 
Importing and exporting goods creates a lot of paper work, which the freight clerk has to deal with. For instance, when working on behalf of an importer, they have to clear goods through Customs and organise the payment of duties and taxes. They then arrange for the goods to be delivered to the importer's premises.  
 
The majority of the freight clerk's time is spent communicating with other people. They spend a lot of time on the telephone, sending faxes and emails, writing letters and collecting and filing information.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Examine shipment contents and compare with records, such as manifests, invoices, or orders, to verify accuracy.
• Requisition and store shipping materials and supplies to maintain inventory of stock.
• Prepare documents, such as work orders, bills of lading, or shipping orders, to route materials.
• Pack, seal, label, or affix postage to prepare materials for shipping, using hand tools, power tools, or postage meter.
• Record shipment data, such as weight, charges, space availability, damages, or discrepancies, for reporting, accounting, or recordkeeping purposes.
• Confer or correspond with establishment representatives to rectify problems, such as damages, shortages, or nonconformance to specifications.
• Deliver or route materials to departments using handtruck, conveyor, or sorting bins.
• Contact carrier representatives to make arrangements or to issue instructions for shipping and delivery of materials.
• Determine shipping methods, routes, or rates for materials to be shipped.
• Compute amounts, such as space available, shipping, storage, or demurrage charges, using computer or price list.

Further Information

• Freight Forwarder/Shipping Agent - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

New entrants are trained on-the-job as the duties and skills required for individual 'freight clerk' positions vary from company to company. Although some employers will recruit school leavers most employers will expect a relevant third level qualification. There are specific courses in logistics, transport and distribution. Degrees in business, foreign languages, and law are all relevant. 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Customer service, Supply chain & distribution, supervisory management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Logistics & supply chain Management, Sales, Transport & logistics, warehousing & distribution courses around ireland at NFQ Level 5 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Supply chain, Transport & logistics, Sales Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Supply chain & logistics, Management at NFQ Levels 7-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Supply chain & logistics, Management, Policy & compliance NFQ level 9 

Last Updated: October, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €24k - €65k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
CPL/ Morgan McKinley/ Lincoln/ Sigmar/ Indeed/ Clark

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Numbers in the LFS are too small to allow for any detailed analysis. New employment permits issued in 2022 related mainly to transport and distribution clerks along with various logistics and customs roles.

The Recruitment Agency Survey identified issues in sourcing freight forwarders. There was a relatively high share of jobseekers registered with DSP in December 2022 who had previously been employed as stores/despatch clerks and storekeepers.

• Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Ireland

  • 1 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2
  • Freephone 1890 2525 99
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• International Federation of Freight Forwarders (FIATA)

  • (0)43 211 65 00
  • Click Here

• International Air Transport Association (IATA)

  • Click Here