What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Cargo and Freight Agents in the U.S. earn more than $52,260 a year — the middle 80% land between $38,340 and $79,810. About 97,670 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Cargo and Freight Agents”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Clerical support workers earn about ₹24,252 a month on average — around ₹2.9 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$52,260typical pay / year
97,670people in this work
$79,810+top 10% earn
₹2.9 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Sending & sharing1
Determine method of shipment
+Decide the shipment method for the textile order to Rotterdam: compare sea consolidated FCL transit of 28…
Determine method of shipment
+Decide the shipment method for the textile order to Rotterdam: compare sea consolidated FCL transit of 28 days versus air express at 4 days, include cost per kilo, insurance exposure and customer delivery deadline, then recommend one method to sales.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Keeping the record5
Record shipment costs and weights
+Record the exporter’s invoice, freight costs, insurance, handling fees, tare and gross weights for Container…
Record shipment costs and weights
+Record the exporter’s invoice, freight costs, insurance, handling fees, tare and gross weights for Container CRX12345 into the cost file so the landed-cost sheet and customer quote update before month-end reconciliation.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Track shipment delivery progress
+Track delivery progress for the Sao Paulo shipment: check carrier checkpoints, update ETA, note any customs…
Track shipment delivery progress
+Track delivery progress for the Sao Paulo shipment: check carrier checkpoints, update ETA, note any customs holds or exceptions, notify the sales rep and schedule a remedial action if the truck misses two consecutive scan points.
The tools that do the workTransportation management system TMSjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Check the condition of the cargo
+Inspect the loaded container at Warehouse 7, photograph dents and seal number, run a humidity and pallet…
Check the condition of the cargo
+Inspect the loaded container at Warehouse 7, photograph dents and seal number, run a humidity and pallet stability check, note any damaged packages and notify the Nairobi consignor and carrier by 10:30 today with a signed cargo condition report.
The tools that do the workTransportation management system TMSESCOWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Enter shipping information into computer systems
+Enter the vessel booking, container numbers, gross and net weights, commodity HS codes and consignee details…
Enter shipping information into computer systems
+Enter the vessel booking, container numbers, gross and net weights, commodity HS codes and consignee details for BL 89234 into the shipment record, validate totals against the packing list, then flag any missing paperwork to the operations manager before noon.
The tools that do the workSAPjob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Prepare manifests for passengers and freight
+Prepare passenger and freight manifests for Flight KQ405 departing Friday, list each passenger with passport…
Prepare manifests for passengers and freight
+Prepare passenger and freight manifests for Flight KQ405 departing Friday, list each passenger with passport number and seat, itemise each freight piece with weight, nature and UN class where hazardous, then send the signed manifests to the airline cargo office two hours before cutoff.
The tools that do the workTransportation managementjob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
The daily work13
Handle freight inspection equipment
+Schedule and document the container inspection at Nhava Sheva on Thursday, bring the calibrated scanning wand…
Handle freight inspection equipment
+Schedule and document the container inspection at Nhava Sheva on Thursday, bring the calibrated scanning wand and seal cutter, record photos and damage notes, sign the equipment log, and file the inspection certificate to customs before 1700 if any discrepancy appears.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Prepare freight shipment reports
+Compile the freight shipment report for AWB 125-87934 covering origin Mumbai, consignee Patel Exports, gross…
Prepare freight shipment reports
+Compile the freight shipment report for AWB 125-87934 covering origin Mumbai, consignee Patel Exports, gross weight 2,420 kg, list the inspected pallets and declared hazmat class 3, attach inspection photos, and circulate the final PDF to operations and customs by Friday noon.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Advise clients on transportation and payment methods
+Advise Rajesh Kumar at Mumbai Textiles on the best transport route and payment terms for his next 40ft…
Advise clients on transportation and payment methods
+Advise Rajesh Kumar at Mumbai Textiles on the best transport route and payment terms for his next 40ft container to Rotterdam, explain air versus sea transit times, insurance options, and recommend letters of credit versus open account by Tuesday morning so he can confirm booking.
The tools that do the workSAPjob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Resolve issues related to shipment delays or damages
+Resolve the stalled export to Lagos for Aster Foods: investigate the delay and damage report, contact the…
Resolve issues related to shipment delays or damages
+Resolve the stalled export to Lagos for Aster Foods: investigate the delay and damage report, contact the carrier and local inspector, authorise a survey if needed, arrange expedited replacement shipment or claim submission, and update the client by end of day tomorrow.
The tools that do the workTransportation management system TMSO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Maintain a supply of packing materials.
+Replenish packing stock for the Kolkata export line: audit current pallets, crates, foam and strapping…
Maintain a supply of packing materials.
+Replenish packing stock for the Kolkata export line: audit current pallets, crates, foam and strapping levels, raise purchase quantities to cover six weeks with two vendors, and schedule delivery before Friday to avoid packing delays.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshaling areas and help load and unload goods safely.
+Direct the inbound truck drivers to door 7 or the north marshaling area for the 09:00 arrivals, assign two…
Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshaling areas and help load and unload goods safely.
+Direct the inbound truck drivers to door 7 or the north marshaling area for the 09:00 arrivals, assign two loaders to each vehicle, supervise safe use of pallet jacks and straps, and log completion with signatures before the 11:30 cutoff.
The tools that do the workTransportation managementO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Notify customers of freight or baggage arrival
+Notify Ms. Farah Ahmed at Global Imports and Mr. Singh the consignee that their airfreight has arrived,…
Notify customers of freight or baggage arrival
+Notify Ms. Farah Ahmed at Global Imports and Mr. Singh the consignee that their airfreight has arrived, provide flight and AWB details, collection hours and charges, and invite them to collect or arrange delivery within 24 hours to avoid storage fees.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Assist in the preparation of customs documentation
+Prepare the full set of export customs papers for the 20 June Shanghai shipment: verify commercial invoice,…
Assist in the preparation of customs documentation
+Prepare the full set of export customs papers for the 20 June Shanghai shipment: verify commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading details, HS codes and weight matches the cargo survey report, then flag missing permits and email procurement and the customs broker by Tuesday.
The tools that do the workSAPBrokerageWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Coordinate multi-modal transportation logistics
+Arrange the multimodal routing for the metal coils leaving Chennai on 24 June: compare sea-plus-rail and…
Coordinate multi-modal transportation logistics
+Arrange the multimodal routing for the metal coils leaving Chennai on 24 June: compare sea-plus-rail and all-sea options, confirm dangerous-goods stowage rules, book the inland haulier and the port feeder, then send the confirmed itinerary and cutoffs to sales and the consignee.
The tools that do the workTransportation management system TMSTransportation managementWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Analyse the fuel compartments
+Inspect and report on the tanker fuel compartments for vessel MV Ocean Pride: record capacities, ullage…
Analyse the fuel compartments
+Inspect and report on the tanker fuel compartments for vessel MV Ocean Pride: record capacities, ullage readings, any signs of contamination or leaks, compare to the certified tank plan, then issue a signed fuel compartment condition report to technical and the port agent.
The tools that do the workPostingESCO
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Analyse the safety equipment
+Carry out the safety-equipment audit on the export container stack at Warehouse 7: check lifeboats, fire…
Analyse the safety equipment
+Carry out the safety-equipment audit on the export container stack at Warehouse 7: check lifeboats, fire extinguishers, PPE sets and emergency lighting against the checklist, note expiries or missing items, and send a corrective-action list to operations and HSE by end of day.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Analyse the specific licenses required
+Draft a licences and permits matrix for the next quarter's car parts exports to Brazil and South Africa: list…
Analyse the specific licenses required
+Draft a licences and permits matrix for the next quarter's car parts exports to Brazil and South Africa: list required import licences, local customs authorisations, AD/CVD certificates, and hazardous material clearances, note who holds each, and circulate to legal and freight forwarder on Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordSAPESCO
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Lead inspections
+Lead the pre-shipment inspection for the 100 pallet chemical consignment tomorrow at 08:00: verify packaging…
Lead inspections
+Lead the pre-shipment inspection for the 100 pallet chemical consignment tomorrow at 08:00: verify packaging integrity, label UN numbers, test seal integrity with the inspection kit, complete the inspection report with photos, and send immediate nonconformance alerts to quality and the shipper.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Says who?
These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.
The logs, files & records this job keeps
Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
The LLOS Work Atlas is the world's largest evidenced task library — a map of human work, with a ready prompt behind every task. 1,774 careers · every task named by the sources that witnessed it — O*NET, ESCO, real job descriptions, Wikipedia — and the deepest tasks by several at once. And it is honest about limits: where AI cannot help, the map says so.
The rest of the map
Same library, five ways in.
Copyright © LLOS.ai · 2026 — original pedagogy, voice, and design — all rights reserved.
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses