An air cargo forwarder is responsible for routing shipments out of the US and into the appropriate hands. Employees at all levels of air freight forwarding companies work to ensure that the transaction is smooth and the products in question are protected, both physically and as a financial asset.

The typical air freight forwarding job listing is a desk position. You can expect to work intensively on a computer, using both general and specialized software. Some positions will also include customer care duties. When considering potential air freight forwarders, education and training that companies typically look for in job candidates may include:

1. A basic education in customer care or vendor and client relations in the air freight forwarding industry.
2. Training in navigating domestic and international air logistics software systems.
3. Higher education for executive or management jobs.
   

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Learn customer care skills applicable in an air freight forwarding company

As an air cargo or air freight forwarder agent, you may be called upon to deal with people from diverse cultural backgrounds or customers under a lot of stress. You might also have to field complaints. Having the composure to run this emotional gamut is something you can learn with the proper training. Having customer care certifications on your resume will also boost your chances of getting hired.

I recommend: The Customer Care Coach program through JoAnna Brandi & Company offers lessons on customer-focused leadership and how to manage your energy. Learn about the main topics in and benefits of a self-study customer care course specific to air cargo personnel, offered through the International Air Transport Association.

Get training to enter the digital age as an air freight forwarder

Both domestic and international air freight companies are well into the computer age by now. Facility with common software like Microsoft's product suite, plus keyboarding and data entry skills, are valuable abilities that might tip the decision in your favor with any level position. You'll drastically up your chances of being hired if you're familiar with widely used contact management software or specialized freight forwarding software suites.

I recommend: Get free training for a leading contact management program with ACT! by Sage. Learn about Star Tec Software's Hercules freight forwarding software with a full suite of training videos. Assess your general typing and data entry abilities with TestedOK Software's online keyboarding skills test. Having an objective measure of these skills is a great boost to your air freight forwarding resume.

Advance your career in freight forwarding companies with a higher education degree

It's no secret that a college degree is needed for executive or management level work. It also gives you an edge with entry level positions in air freight forwarding. An MBA is often a vital requirement for higher level jobs, and a bachelor's degree is listed as a requirement for lower positions at least 50% of the time.

I recommend: An MBA is a major asset for acquiring a freight forwarding job, but you still have to compete with all the other job candidates with master's level degrees. Learn to sell your credentials effectively with tips from the MBA Association. Learn about the benefits of an MBA and how to plan a course of study through Willamette University.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Even if you don't have a college degree, you can still become an air forwarder by joining at the entry level and working your way up. The industry is relatively friendly to experience as a substitute for or in addition to formal education.

Those in the manufacturing industry rely heavily on air cargo shipments and air freight forwarders to ensure their products arrive safely and on time to their destinations. The complicated, red tape-laden trail that is involved in moving freight from point A to point B, particularly where international transport is involved, leads many manufacturers to hire freight forwarders to handle the process.

Many of today's freight forwarders provide a one-stop shopping experience for their customers. Services include air and sea freight export documentation and letter of credit handling, inland transportation to airports or seaports as applicable for your destination, as well as packing and storage needs should you require them. You will have answers to air freight forwarders basics by asking the three questions below:

1. Do the air freight forwarders you are looking at have the proper industry credentials?

2. Can they handle domestic and international air freight?

3. Can the air freight forwarding company provide you with quality service at reasonable rates?

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Check air freight forwarding companies to make sure they have the proper industry credentials

The two most well-known and respected accreditations in the United States for freight forwarding companies are the Air Forwarder Association (AFA) and the International Air Transport Association, or IATA. IATA accreditation for freight forwarders is completed through Cargo Network Services (CNS). In particular, the IATA accreditation requires an established standard of financial, operational and compliance be met.

I recommend: The Air Forwarder Association and IATA list their members on their websites. The Directory of Freight Forwarding Services includes a listing of New York-based freight forwarders that handle domestic and international freight

Confirm that freight forwarders can handle domestic and international air logistics

It is important to confirm that whichever freight forwarding company your business selects to transport its product, the air freight forwarder is capable of picking up and dropping off cargo at your desired location. For many companies this will include adding another shipping component to its route.

I recommend: Avio International Freight Forwarders handles trucking, air and ocean freight shipping from any point in the U.S. and Canada to any international destination. BERKLAY Cargo Services is full-service international freight forwarder accredited by the IATA.

Compare rate quotes from a selection of air freight forwarding providers

There are many air freight forwarding providers from which to choose. Requesting quotes from several will help narrow down your selection. Make sure to consider the dollar value of any additional services as part of the quote.

I recommend: Freightquote allows you to compare instant quotes from multiple air freight carriers. Simply fill out World Class Shipping's online form for a fast air freight quote.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your business is global in scale, consider including on your list of criteria for an air forwarder company the number of cities the provider considers as operational 'hubs.' Many companies consider their home base just one major city, while others operate out of several cities in the U.S. and abroad. Multiple operational hubs mean that more qualified individuals are on hand to shepherd your cargo.

Keep your commerce in motion with air freight forwarding. Most freight forwarders not only help you with domestic freight but international air freight as well. If you are shipping domestically, the air freight forwarder is just moving goods to a destination, but if you are moving goods internationally, that air forwarder has to be knowledgeable of the many rules and regulations that come with international transport. They can also help you with all of your customs paperwork and taxes.

Air freight forwarding helps your company reduce its cost by being a B2B transportation company that specializes in the mass transportation of the goods of hundreds of thousands of people. Complicated distribution routes and chains bring packages to larger hubs for redistribution, back out to smaller regional hubs and then subsequently to even smaller city or town air forwarder business locations. It is from there then that the package is delivered to your client's home or business.

To find out more about air freight forwarders:

1. Learn more about what a freight forwarder is.

2. Think about using the well known freight forwarding companies Fed-ex, UPS and DHL.

3. See a handful of other freight forwarding company options available.

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Start with government information on air freight forwarders

See how the federal government defines and oversees the role of air freight forwarders. Find out who is approved on their list of air freight forwarders to move your packages.

I recommend: Find out from Export.gov what the U.S. government's definition of an air freight forwarder is. Use the Freight Forwarders Listing provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Consider big name US air freight forwarders

FedEx, UPS and DHL are three of the most widely known air freight forwarders in the US. They have built up their reputation by providing quality service and fast turn around time.

I recommend: FedEx's air freight service options of expedited shipments to US and international locations are time definite. UPS air freight service options vary from 24 hours to 5 to 7 days. Find out the air freight services offered by DHL. They can even help you with the handling of dangerous goods and temperature controlled materials.

Find even more air freight forwarders available in the U.S.

Bigger name air freight forwarders are not your only option. There are many smaller, privately owned international air logistics businesses that can help you with your shipping needs.

I recommend: US Logistics has offered worldwide full service air freight forwarding since 1968. They can help you with both your international or domestic air freight forwarding. OceanAiR provides service to most major cities in the U.S. and internationally. Their services include door-to-door, airport-to-airport and door-to-airport. Check out a list of additional air freight forwarding companies listed from Freightnet.

Air freight forwarders have their own language of terms and definitions that you should familiarize yourself with if you plan to transport or receive foreign or domestic goods. You want to make sure that you are covering your bases when it comes to proper taxes and fees, and knowing the right terminology and definitions will help you better understand the process and steps to make your air freight forwarding project a success.

Air freight forwarders key terms include required paperwork, packing and shipping materials, locations and more, and discovering the meaning of each will help you better communicate with your shipper, with your client or with your seller. It will help you navigate customs better, and it will help you become a more efficient shipper and/or receiver when you know how to watch your costs and get the process right the first time.

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Pallet

Pallets are platforms that are used for arranging goods that are then secured in the plane by nets and straps. Palletizing allows for more efficient use of space and better cargo handling.

I recommend: Find out more about pallet systems from AAR.

Air waybill

Air waybills are the documents that are issued by the carrier to the shipper that shows receipt of goods, how it is being transported and what arrangements have been made to deliver the goods at the destination point. Standard air waybills are used for both domestic and international traffic.

I recommend: Learn about completing air waybills from FedEx.

Bonded terminal

Bonded terminals are airline terminals that have been approved by the U.S. Treasury Department as a place for the storage of goods until your Customs duties are paid or the goods have been otherwise released from the terminal.

I recommend: Learn about bonded terminal services from Charter Brokerage.

Indirect Air Carrier (IAC)

Indirect Air Carriers (IAC) are organizations or entities that are within the United States but are not in possession of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air carrier operating certificate. IACs must implement security programs that meets U.S. standards and requirements.

I recommend: Learn more about Indirect Air Carriers (IAC) from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Commercial invoice

A commercial invoice is the required document that identifies the transaction between the seller and buyer. Information generally included on the document generally includes the invoice number, the date, the shipping date, how the goods are being transported, delivery and payment terms, description of goods as well as the quantity.

I recommend: Find out more about the commercial invoice from DHL.

Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)

Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) are restricted-access commercial and industrial areas that are located in or near ports of entry specifically designated governments for duty-free entry of any non-prohibited goods. It is a location where foreign and domestic merchandise can be stored, displayed, and used for manufacturing within the zone and re-exported without duties having to be paid on the items.

I recommend: Find out more about Foreign Trade Zones from the Foreign Trade Zone Resource Center.