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.
Keeping the record3
Label shipments
+Affix the destination barcode labels, consignment ID, and customs declaration stickers to each pallet for the…
Label shipments
+Affix the destination barcode labels, consignment ID, and customs declaration stickers to each pallet for the Maersk export leaving Berth 4 tomorrow, verify label legibility and match against the manifest before staging.
The tools that do the workAccuship Starjob descriptionsO*NET
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Store shipping supplies
+Audit the stores room and reorder packing tape, tamper-evident seals, bulk labels and marker pens so we have…
Store shipping supplies
+Audit the stores room and reorder packing tape, tamper-evident seals, bulk labels and marker pens so we have a two-week stock for scheduled exports from Berth 4, list suppliers and needed quantities and send to procurement by Thursday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Pack and seal shipments
+Inspect, wrap and seal the three export pallets for the Finnlines booking, apply tamper-evident seals, record…
Pack and seal shipments
+Inspect, wrap and seal the three export pallets for the Finnlines booking, apply tamper-evident seals, record seal numbers against the consignment and upload the seal evidence before the 16:00 handoff to security.
The tools that do the workADi SmartBOLjob descriptionsO*NET
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Coordinate1
Arrange transportation of products
+Book a side-loader lorry for the 07:00 pickup tomorrow for the refrigerated produce run to Inland Depot B,…
Arrange transportation of products
+Book a side-loader lorry for the 07:00 pickup tomorrow for the refrigerated produce run to Inland Depot B, confirm driver ETA, collect transport rate and attach the carrier confirmation to the booking reference 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.
+Write to the harbour manager and the cargo agent describing the dents and missing pallets from the 10 June…
Confer or correspond with establishment representatives to rectify problems, such as damages, shortages, or nonconformance to specifications.
+Write to the harbour manager and the cargo agent describing the dents and missing pallets from the 10 June discharge, demand their proposed rectification and cost apportionment within three working days, and attach photos and the ship’s delivery manifest for reference.
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 storage and demurrage for MV Orion’s container block from 15 to 28 June using the published port…
Compute amounts, such as space available, shipping, storage, or demurrage charges, using computer or price list.
+Calculate storage and demurrage for MV Orion’s container block from 15 to 28 June using the published port tariff and the ship’s IMO volume, produce a line-item table showing daily accrual and total owing, and save the result for invoice generation.
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 the coastal feeder route via Rotterdam and the direct deep-sea call via Felixstowe for the timber…
Compare shipping routes or methods to determine which have the least environmental impact.
+Compare the coastal feeder route via Rotterdam and the direct deep-sea call via Felixstowe for the timber consignment, model fuel burn and transhipment emissions for each leg, and recommend the lower-emission option with estimated time and cost trade-offs.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Represent the ship owner in a foreign port
+Act for the owner in Valencia: lodge a formal arrival notice with the agent, approve the cargo surveyor…
Represent the ship owner in a foreign port
+Act for the owner in Valencia: lodge a formal arrival notice with the agent, approve the cargo surveyor appointment, and instruct the port to prioritise owner’s access for inspection on arrival day, confirming contact details and inspection window.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookESCO
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Ensure customs is cleared in a timely manner
+Secure customs clearance for the soymeal shipment by compiling the commercial invoice, packing list, and…
Ensure customs is cleared in a timely manner
+Secure customs clearance for the soymeal shipment by compiling the commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin, submit them to customs with the entry number, chase the customs broker for release status hourly until cleared, and notify the agent when done.
The tools that do the workSAPMicrosoft OutlookESCO
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Make sure cargo doesn't stay too long in the port
+Prevent cargo overstays by producing the weekly port dwell report, flag containers exceeding free time,…
Make sure cargo doesn't stay too long in the port
+Prevent cargo overstays by producing the weekly port dwell report, flag containers exceeding free time, instruct the terminal to arrange removal or transhipment within 48 hours, and notify the charterer of potential penalties if not moved.
The tools that do the workSAPMicrosoft OutlookESCO
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Ensure that insurance, licences and other formalities are in order
+Check every vehicle file for valid insurance, tax discs and driver licences, flag any missing documents,…
Ensure that insurance, licences and other formalities are in order
+Check every vehicle file for valid insurance, tax discs and driver licences, flag any missing documents, phone the registered operator for proof within 48 hours, and upload scanned copies to the vehicle record before Friday midday.
The tools that do the workSAPESCO
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Manage import export licenses
+Review outstanding import and export licence files, renew any expiring licences this week, prepare submission…
Manage import export licenses
+Review outstanding import and export licence files, renew any expiring licences this week, prepare submission forms with commodity codes and consignee details, and notify the port agent by email when renewals are lodged.
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Provide advice to clients in terms of import restrictions
+Draft clear client advice on current import restrictions for electronics and foodstuffs, cite the relevant…
Provide advice to clients in terms of import restrictions
+Draft clear client advice on current import restrictions for electronics and foodstuffs, cite the relevant tariff headings and prohibited items, attach guidance to their booking and send it to the consignee and customs broker within 24 hours.
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Keep up-to-date to current customs regulations
+Scan the forward auction schedule, select lots relevant to surplus containers, enter maximum bid limits based…
Keep up-to-date to current customs regulations
+Scan the forward auction schedule, select lots relevant to surplus containers, enter maximum bid limits based on reserve and handling costs, submit bids before the auction deadline and confirm receipt with the auction house.
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Make bids in forward auctions
+Subscribe to official customs update feeds, summarise any rule changes affecting cargo release or…
Make bids in forward auctions
+Subscribe to official customs update feeds, summarise any rule changes affecting cargo release or documentation, circulate a one-page bulletin to operations and client contacts every Friday, and file the archived summaries.
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Liaise with port users
+Call the terminal scheduler and the major freight forwarders to confirm vessel berthing and terminal access…
Liaise with port users
+Call the terminal scheduler and the major freight forwarders to confirm vessel berthing and terminal access for tomorrow's arrivals, note any access passes needed, update the arrival log and email the operations team with any constraints.
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Control trade commercial documentation
+Check the trade commercial documentation for the incoming lorry from Atlantic Shipping, confirm the export…
Control trade commercial documentation
+Check the trade commercial documentation for the incoming lorry from Atlantic Shipping, confirm the export licence numbers match the cargo list, flag missing declarations to customs and email a complete checklist to the shipper and the port operator by 16:00 today.
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International import export regulations
+Prepare an advisory note on current import and export regulations affecting refrigerated seafood arriving…
International import export regulations
+Prepare an advisory note on current import and export regulations affecting refrigerated seafood arriving Friday, identify prohibited consignments and applicable duties, and circulate the note to the forwarding agents and three affected importers before 10:00 tomorrow.
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Ensure compliance with port regulations
+Audit the berthing manifest for Vessel Horizon this morning, verify every vehicle and container entry meets…
Ensure compliance with port regulations
+Audit the berthing manifest for Vessel Horizon this morning, verify every vehicle and container entry meets port operational and safety requirements, record any non-compliance with photographic evidence and submit a compliance report to the harbourmaster by noon.
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Port regulation
+Update the port regulation briefing for on-duty wardens to include the new parking exclusion zone and revised…
Port regulation
+Update the port regulation briefing for on-duty wardens to include the new parking exclusion zone and revised loading hours, attach the latest map and circulate the one-page summary to all team members before the 07:00 shift handover.
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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