What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks in the U.S. earn more than $45,260 a year — the middle 80% land between $34,650 and $62,190. About 816,870 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks”. (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).
$45,260typical pay / year
816,870people in this work
$62,190+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.
Move1
Arrange transportation of products
+Book road or sea lift for 12 pallets of canned beverages from Port of Felixstowe to our Dublin depot next…
Arrange transportation of products
+Book road or sea lift for 12 pallets of canned beverages from Port of Felixstowe to our Dublin depot next Wednesday, confirm carrier has import licences and ETA, send transport confirmation and bill of lading to procurement and the receiving supervisor by Tuesday noon.
The tools that do the workAccuship StarADi SmartBOLjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record3
Label shipments
+Print and attach durable barcode labels to 47 outgoing cartons for the Rotterdam shipment, include commodity…
Label shipments
+Print and attach durable barcode labels to 47 outgoing cartons for the Rotterdam shipment, include commodity codes and consignee details, and update each package record with its label serial in the shipping manifest before dispatch.
The tools that do the workAccuship Starjob descriptionsO*NET
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Store shipping supplies
+Organise and restock the shipping supplies cabinet: count remaining boxes, tape, cushioning, and labels, move…
Store shipping supplies
+Organise and restock the shipping supplies cabinet: count remaining boxes, tape, cushioning, and labels, move the reorder quantities to the procurement request, and mark the cabinet location map so drivers can access supplies quickly.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Pack and seal shipments
+Pack and seal 32 customer orders for export, verify contents against the packing list and export licence…
Pack and seal shipments
+Pack and seal 32 customer orders for export, verify contents against the packing list and export licence numbers, apply tamper‑evident seals, and update each shipment’s status to ready for carrier pickup.
The tools that do the workADi SmartBOLjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work16
Confer or correspond with establishment representatives to rectify problems, such as damages, shortages, or nonconformance to specifications.
+Email Ana at Port Services and copy the shipping manager describing the damaged pallet and two missing…
Confer or correspond with establishment representatives to rectify problems, such as damages, shortages, or nonconformance to specifications.
+Email Ana at Port Services and copy the shipping manager describing the damaged pallet and two missing cartons from BL 34567, attach the inspection photos, request credit or replacement within three business days, and confirm next steps for investigation.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Compute amounts, such as space available, shipping, storage, or demurrage charges, using computer or price list.
+Calculate space and storage charges for STOR-2987: 12 pallets occupying 18 square metres for 9 days, apply…
Compute amounts, such as space available, shipping, storage, or demurrage charges, using computer or price list.
+Calculate space and storage charges for STOR-2987: 12 pallets occupying 18 square metres for 9 days, apply the published daily rate and demurrage tariff, produce a one‑page charge summary for billing and send to accounts.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Compare shipping routes or methods to determine which have the least environmental impact.
+Compare three candidate routings for the electronics shipment from Rotterdam to Valencia, estimate CO2 per…
Compare shipping routes or methods to determine which have the least environmental impact.
+Compare three candidate routings for the electronics shipment from Rotterdam to Valencia, estimate CO2 per tonne for feeder via Antwerp, short sea direct, and rail‑plus‑truck, rank them by lowest emissions and note cost and transit tradeoffs for the operations meeting on Thursday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Represent the ship owner in a foreign port
+Act as local agent for MV Horizon at Santos: notify the agent list that the owner appoints me to represent…
Represent the ship owner in a foreign port
+Act as local agent for MV Horizon at Santos: notify the agent list that the owner appoints me to represent vessel interests, provide arrival ETA, list required documents for port entry, and instruct the agent to proceed with husbandry and crew transfer arrangements.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookESCO
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Ensure customs is cleared in a timely manner
+Confirm customs clearance plan for AWB 889002: ensure import declaration lodged, duties pre‑paid, and customs…
Ensure customs is cleared in a timely manner
+Confirm customs clearance plan for AWB 889002: ensure import declaration lodged, duties pre‑paid, and customs broker has submitted phytosanitary certificate; escalate to customs supervisor if clearance not completed by 10:00 tomorrow to avoid delay.
The tools that do the workSAPESCO
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Make sure cargo doesn't stay too long in the port
+Track container MRKU1234567 at Pier 7 and coordinate with cargo ops and consignee to move it out within 24…
Make sure cargo doesn't stay too long in the port
+Track container MRKU1234567 at Pier 7 and coordinate with cargo ops and consignee to move it out within 24 hours; if release paperwork is missing, instruct consignee on documents required and schedule trucker to avoid port storage charges.
The tools that do the workAccuship StarESCO
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Control trade commercial documentation
+Control and file all trade commercial documents for the shipment from Hanworth Foods arriving Friday, check…
Control trade commercial documentation
+Control and file all trade commercial documents for the shipment from Hanworth Foods arriving Friday, check bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list and import licence, resolve any discrepancies with customs broker before release.
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International import export regulations
+Review the import and export rules that apply to the next three container lots bound for Nigeria, update the…
International import export regulations
+Review the import and export rules that apply to the next three container lots bound for Nigeria, update the client advisory with restricted goods, licence requirements and tariff codes, and send the advisory to Lisa in sales by end of day Wednesday.
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Ensure compliance with port regulations
+Confirm the Port of Tilbury compliance checklist for the vessels due this week, verify ISPS, environmental…
Ensure compliance with port regulations
+Confirm the Port of Tilbury compliance checklist for the vessels due this week, verify ISPS, environmental and gate-in procedures are met, record any missing items and instruct the terminal contact to correct before cargo acceptance.
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Port regulation
+Update and circulate the current port regulation summary for drivers and forwarding firms using our yard,…
Port regulation
+Update and circulate the current port regulation summary for drivers and forwarding firms using our yard, include recent changes to hours of operation, vehicle permits and hazardous cargo routing, and post the summary on the arrivals board by Monday morning.
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Ensure that insurance, licences and other formalities are in order
+Confirm insurance, licences and other formalities for the incoming consignment 45532 at Port of Felixstowe,…
Ensure that insurance, licences and other formalities are in order
+Confirm insurance, licences and other formalities for the incoming consignment 45532 at Port of Felixstowe, verify certificates are current, note gaps, and email a clear action list to Marco in compliance and to the shipper by Thursday noon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookSAPESCO
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Manage import export licenses
+Update and file import and export licences for client GreenLine Traders: check licence numbers against…
Manage import export licenses
+Update and file import and export licences for client GreenLine Traders: check licence numbers against shipment 44901, renew any expiring permits, attach scanned originals to the client folder and notify Ana in customs before end of day Friday.
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Provide advice to clients in terms of import restrictions
+Advise K. Patel about import restrictions for their next shipment of herbal supplements: list prohibited…
Provide advice to clients in terms of import restrictions
+Advise K. Patel about import restrictions for their next shipment of herbal supplements: list prohibited ingredients, necessary permits, likely delays, and recommended routing, then send the plain guidance and a short checklist by tomorrow morning.
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Keep up-to-date to current customs regulations
+Monitor customs bulletins for changes affecting HS code 3004 and summarise any new restrictions or tariff…
Keep up-to-date to current customs regulations
+Monitor customs bulletins for changes affecting HS code 3004 and summarise any new restrictions or tariff updates, then circulate a two-paragraph alert with actionable steps to operations and to three key clients by 10:00 Monday.
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Make bids in forward auctions
+Place competitive bids in the forward auction for slot 12 on voyage MA123: set the maximum bid at GBP 6,200,…
Make bids in forward auctions
+Place competitive bids in the forward auction for slot 12 on voyage MA123: set the maximum bid at GBP 6,200, record the bid in the auction log, and notify procurement and the consignee of the bid and rationale within two hours.
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Liaise with port users
+Liaise with Port of Southampton stevedores about discharge for consignment 44788: confirm berth, expected…
Liaise with port users
+Liaise with Port of Southampton stevedores about discharge for consignment 44788: confirm berth, expected free time, any special gear needed, then email the stevedore contact and copy the consignee and operations before 16:00 today.
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Says who?
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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