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.
Sending & sharing3
Label shipments
+Print and affix the correct courier labels for the three export pallets bound for Rotterdam, using the pro…
Label shipments
+Print and affix the correct courier labels for the three export pallets bound for Rotterdam, using the pro forma invoice numbers 4572, 4573, 4574; verify weight and hazard class against the packing list and confirm labels are legible before handover at 15:00 today.
The tools that do the workAccuship Starjob descriptionsO*NET
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Store shipping supplies
+Audit the storage room, list current stocks of boxes, tape, seals and cushioning by size and quantity,…
Store shipping supplies
+Audit the storage room, list current stocks of boxes, tape, seals and cushioning by size and quantity, reorder missing items so stores have at least two weeks' supply, and place the purchase request to replenish by Wednesday to avoid packing delays.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Pack and seal shipments
+Pack and seal the three export pallets to export spec: secure odd-shaped items, add required cushioning,…
Pack and seal shipments
+Pack and seal the three export pallets to export spec: secure odd-shaped items, add required cushioning, apply tamper-evident seals and complete the seal log with seal numbers and packer name before courier collection at 16:30.
The tools that do the workADi SmartBOLjob descriptionsO*NET
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Make1
Arrange transportation of products
+Book road haulage for the Rotterdam shipment leaving dock on Thursday morning, confirm carrier ETA, include…
Arrange transportation of products
+Book road haulage for the Rotterdam shipment leaving dock on Thursday morning, confirm carrier ETA, include Customs MRN and contact details for the port agent, and send the transport confirmation to the client and port contact before 18:00 today.
The tools that do the workSAPjob 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.
+Call the port terminal manager and the consignee to report the damaged pallet from voyage MV Coral, confirm…
Confer or correspond with establishment representatives to rectify problems, such as damages, shortages, or nonconformance to specifications.
+Call the port terminal manager and the consignee to report the damaged pallet from voyage MV Coral, confirm the bill of lading number and photos, demand immediate inspection, request their corrective actions and ETA for repaired or replacement goods by Wednesday.
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 demurrage and storage charges for container 21GBU1234567 from arrival date June 8 to today, apply…
Compute amounts, such as space available, shipping, storage, or demurrage charges, using computer or price list.
+Calculate demurrage and storage charges for container 21GBU1234567 from arrival date June 8 to today, apply the tariff tiers and free days on the rate card, produce a charge worksheet and total owing for billing to send to finance by end of day.
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 routing options for the Shanghai shipment to Hamburg—direct ocean, tranship via Singapore, and…
Compare shipping routes or methods to determine which have the least environmental impact.
+Compare three routing options for the Shanghai shipment to Hamburg—direct ocean, tranship via Singapore, and air uplift—estimate CO2 emissions per tonne, transit time, and cost, then recommend the least-impact option with trade-offs to present to the sustainability lead on Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Represent the ship owner in a foreign port
+Act as the ship owner’s local agent in Algeciras: notify port authority of arrival on June 20, arrange pilot…
Represent the ship owner in a foreign port
+Act as the ship owner’s local agent in Algeciras: notify port authority of arrival on June 20, arrange pilot and tug bookings, check bunkering window, collect agent invoices, and report any detention risks back to the owner by same-day update.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookESCO
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Ensure customs is cleared in a timely manner
+Drive customs clearance for container 42XYZ7654321: confirm HS codes and commercial invoice details with the…
Ensure customs is cleared in a timely manner
+Drive customs clearance for container 42XYZ7654321: confirm HS codes and commercial invoice details with the importer, submit entry and required certificates, chase customs broker for status updates hourly, and escalate to customs contact if not cleared within four hours.
The tools that do the workSAPESCO
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Make sure cargo doesn't stay too long in the port
+Prevent port dwell for import consignment APL1234: notify consignee of pick-up deadline, schedule haulage for…
Make sure cargo doesn't stay too long in the port
+Prevent port dwell for import consignment APL1234: notify consignee of pick-up deadline, schedule haulage for tomorrow morning, confirm terminal gate slot and pre-payment, and instruct container release if paperwork is complete to ensure departure within 48 hours.
The tools that do the workAccuship StarESCO
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Ensure that insurance, licences and other formalities are in order
+Confirm insurance cover, check licences and attached certificates for the Maersk consignment arriving…
Ensure that insurance, licences and other formalities are in order
+Confirm insurance cover, check licences and attached certificates for the Maersk consignment arriving Thursday, resolve any missing formalities with the underwriter and customs agent, then confirm clearance readiness to operations by end of day.
The tools that do the workSAPESCO
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Manage import export licenses
+Prepare and file the import licence application for client OceanGrocer for shipment ETA Tuesday, attach…
Manage import export licenses
+Prepare and file the import licence application for client OceanGrocer for shipment ETA Tuesday, attach commercial invoice, packing list and consignee ID, chase approval with the licensing office and update the client by close of business tomorrow.
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Provide advice to clients in terms of import restrictions
+Draft clear guidance for Reed & Co on prohibited items and duty implications for their upcoming shipment,…
Provide advice to clients in terms of import restrictions
+Draft clear guidance for Reed & Co on prohibited items and duty implications for their upcoming shipment, cite the relevant HS codes and recent restrictions, send the advisory with next steps and request confirmation of commodity details today.
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Keep up-to-date to current customs regulations
+Subscribe and review the latest customs notices, summarise changes affecting steel imports and produce a…
Keep up-to-date to current customs regulations
+Subscribe and review the latest customs notices, summarise changes affecting steel imports and produce a one-page update for clients and operations, flag any urgent compliance actions by Friday.
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Make bids in forward auctions
+Place competitive bids in the forward auction for 20TEU slots on the July feeder, set maximum bid per slot at…
Make bids in forward auctions
+Place competitive bids in the forward auction for 20TEU slots on the July feeder, set maximum bid per slot at the client’s ceiling, record bid details and expected award notification, then inform the client within two hours of outcome.
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Liaise with port users
+Contact the terminal operations manager and the truckers’ dispatcher about the Evergreen discharge tomorrow,…
Liaise with port users
+Contact the terminal operations manager and the truckers’ dispatcher about the Evergreen discharge tomorrow, confirm gate times, shore-pass requirements and haulage windows, then send the consolidated arrival plan to the consignee by 18:00.
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Control trade commercial documentation
+Check the commercial documents for the Panama shipment leaving Tuesday: validate the commercial invoice,…
Control trade commercial documentation
+Check the commercial documents for the Panama shipment leaving Tuesday: validate the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and license numbers, correct any tariff codes, attach scanned originals and notify Maria in imports that paperwork is cleared for booking by noon tomorrow.
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International import export regulations
+Review the HS codes and licence requirements for the client shipment from Shanghai arriving 08/05, confirm…
International import export regulations
+Review the HS codes and licence requirements for the client shipment from Shanghai arriving 08/05, confirm the need for any import permits or restrictions, prepare concise guidance for the client and list any provisional duties so procurement can decide whether to proceed.
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Ensure compliance with port regulations
+Audit the Port of Liverpool call for Friday and ensure the booking meets the port's dangerous goods, vessel…
Ensure compliance with port regulations
+Audit the Port of Liverpool call for Friday and ensure the booking meets the port's dangerous goods, vessel shore access and free-practice time rules: update the booking with correct service request codes, confirm pilot and berth windows and circulate the compliance summary to operations and the agent.
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Port regulation
+Compile the port regulation checklist for Felixstowe arrivals: list vessel access procedures, local movement…
Port regulation
+Compile the port regulation checklist for Felixstowe arrivals: list vessel access procedures, local movement permits, security passes and waste disposal rules, flag any charges or time limits and send the checklist to the terminal operator and our traffic team before the next arrival slot.
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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