UK

United Kingdom · International business · Entry Level (0-2 years)

Export/Import Coordinator

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

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  • Experience bandEntry Level (0-2 years)
  • Direct reportsNo direct reports
  • Reports toExport/Import Specialist
  • UK framework levelUsually someone starting out, or keeping a process running

Also advertised as Junior Logistics Administrator · Shipping Assistant · Trade Operations Support

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in qualifications employers recognise

Two short quizzes about you

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

Open Awards Level 2 Certificate in International Supply Chain Logistics Open Awards · Level 2 · covers 2 of 10 standards
Open Awards Level 2 Diploma in International Supply Chain Logistics (RQF) Open Awards · Level 2 · covers 2 of 10 standards
iCQ Level 2 Certificate in International Trade and Logistics Operations iCan Qualifications Limited · Level 2 · covers 2 of 10 standards
Highfield Level 3 Diploma In Driving Goods Vehicles (RQF) Highfield Qualifications · Level 3 · covers 1 of 10 standards
City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Logistics Operations City & Guilds Limited · Level 3 · covers 1 of 10 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Introduction to Exporting within Supply Chain Logistics Open Awards Level 2 Certificate in International Supply Chain Logistics
Arrange the transportation of goods by sea or waterway iCQ Level 2 Certificate in International Trade and Logistics Operations
Organise the preparation of documentation for the transportation of goods Highfield Level 3 Diploma In Driving Goods Vehicles (RQF)
Arrange the transportation of goods using multiple transport modes City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Logistics Operations
Introduction to Importing and Exporting AIM Qualifications Entry 3 Certificate in Skills for Working in Transport and Logistics Industries

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluency working with AI as a thinking partner
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Your Plan Illustration

Built for Export/Import Coordinator

5 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Introduction to Exporting within Supply Chain Logistics Open Awards · covers 2 of 10 standards Level 2
  2. Arrange the transportation of goods by sea or waterway iCan Qualifications Limited · covers 2 of 10 standards Level 2
  3. Organise the preparation of documentation for the transportation of goods Highfield Qualifications · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 3
  4. Arrange the transportation of goods using multiple transport modes City & Guilds Limited · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 3
  5. Introduction to Importing and Exporting AIM Qualifications · covers 1 of 10 standards Entry Level
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as an Export/Import Coordinator?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skill this role is being asked for

  • Prompt Engineering & AI Tool Navigation
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your Export/Import Coordinator plan as you set up, starting with a Future Fluency module on using AI in your job. No card.

Your first Future Fluency module is free. After that, your AI tutor is £70 a month.

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3What this role really is

An export/import coordinator handles the paperwork and tracking that keep shipments moving across borders. The job is about getting the basics right every time, checking documents, entering data correctly, and tracking shipments from start to finish. It is detailed work that keeps international trade running.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

ERP / Global Trade Management (e.g., SAP GTS, Oracle NetSuite) Basic

Entering shipment details, pulling standard reports, tracking orders, and updating statuses. It's mostly about accurate data input.

Customs & Compliance Platforms (e.g., E2open, Descartes) Basic

Using established templates to process customs filings and run basic denied party screenings. You'll be guided on what buttons to press.

Freight Forwarder Portals (e.g., Flexport, myKN) Basic

Booking routine shipments, retrieving quotes, and tracking container status. It's about navigating the portal to get the info you need.

Microsoft Excel Intermediate

Using VLOOKUPs, PivotTables, and basic formulas to organise shipping data, track costs, and create simple reports. You should be comfortable with spreadsheets.

Microsoft Teams / Slack / Email Intermediate

Responding to requests, providing status updates, and coordinating with internal and external teams. Clear, concise communication is key here.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Product Classification (HS Code) Research and propose codes, always with supervisor review and final approval. Escalate any ambiguity. Independently classify routine products, consult supervisor on complex or new items. Final approval by L3/L4. Independently classify all products, defend choices during audits. Approve classifications for L1/L2. Consult L5 on strategic implications.
Shipment Routing/Carrier Selection Follow established routing guides and use pre-approved carriers. Escalate any deviation requests. Select carriers based on cost/service criteria within established lanes. Propose new options for review. Optimise routing for specific lanes, negotiate rates for smaller shipments. Recommend strategic carrier changes to L5.
Addressing Shipment Delays Identify delay, notify supervisor immediately with all available information. Do not contact external parties without guidance. Investigate cause, propose solutions (e.g., alternative transport), communicate to internal stakeholders, and escalate to supervisor for approval on major changes. Lead resolution, negotiate with carriers/brokers for expedited release, communicate impact to all stakeholders, and implement preventative measures.
Customs Documentation Errors Identify error, correct under supervision, inform supervisor. Do not submit revised documents without sign-off. Identify, correct, and submit revised documents for minor errors within guidelines. Escalate major errors or those with financial impact. Manage all error corrections, including post-entry amendments. Conduct root cause analysis and implement training to prevent recurrence.

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Documentation Accuracy
The percentage of customs and shipping documents you prepare that are error-free.
Target · >99.5% error-free

If you prepare 200 documents in a month, we'd expect no more than one error. An error might be a wrong HTS code or an incorrect weight.

On-Time Filing Rate
How often you submit mandatory pre-arrival filings (like ISF for US-bound cargo) before the strict deadlines.
Target · 100% of filings submitted on time

Missing an ISF filing deadline can mean a £5,000 fine per incident. We need you to hit every single one.

Data Entry Speed & Accuracy
The number of shipments you process and the error rate for data entered into our ERP or customs platforms.
Target · Process 20+ shipments per day with <1% error rate

Entering 25 shipments in a day, with no more than one minor typo across all entries. This is about getting faster without sacrificing quality.

Response Time to Internal Queries
How quickly you respond to requests for information or status updates from internal teams like Sales or Warehouse.
Target · Respond to 90% of queries within 4 hours

Sales needs an ETA for a critical order. You check the tracking and get back to them within an hour, even if it's just to say 'I'm checking, I'll update you by lunch'.

Adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
How consistently you follow our established processes for preparing documents, tracking shipments, and communicating updates.
  • Your supervisor will notice if you're consistently using the correct templates, following the checklist for each shipment type, and not skipping steps. We'll see fewer questions from you about 'how to do X' once you've been shown.
Proactive Issue Identification (and escalation)
Your ability to spot potential problems early – maybe a missing document from a supplier or a tracking update that looks off – and bring it to your supervisor's attention.
  • You'll say things like, 'I noticed the supplier hasn't sent the packing list yet, and the vessel sails tomorrow,' or 'The tracking shows this container hasn't moved in three days, should I flag it?' It's about not just doing the task, but thinking about what could go wrong.
Team Support & Collaboration
How well you work with your immediate team, helping out when needed and learning from others.
  • You're asking good questions, offering to help with basic tasks if someone's swamped, and generally being a reliable and positive presence. We'll hear feedback from your peers that you're easy to work with and keen to learn.
Learning & Development Engagement
Your commitment to understanding the complex world of international trade and actively seeking to improve your knowledge.
  • You're asking 'why' things are done a certain way, completing any assigned training modules, and maybe even reading up on Incoterms in your own time. You're showing genuine curiosity about the nuances of the job.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Learning & Growth

You'll be asking lots of questions, taking notes, and actively trying to understand the 'why' behind each task. You're keen to absorb all the knowledge the team can give you.

After processing a few shipments, you'll ask your supervisor, 'Can you explain why we use Incoterm X for this region, but Incoterm Y for that one?'

Structure & Clear Processes

You'll thrive on having clear instructions and established procedures. You'll feel comfortable knowing exactly what steps to follow for each type of shipment.

You'll appreciate having a detailed checklist for customs documentation and will stick to it rigorously, finding comfort in the routine.

Contributing to a Tangible Outcome

You'll get a real kick out of seeing a shipment you've worked on successfully delivered. You'll feel a sense of accomplishment when you've accurately prepared all the documents for a complex order.

You'll track a container from port to final delivery, feeling satisfied knowing your accurate paperwork helped it get there without a hitch.

What frustrates people
  • Chasing the same person for the same document multiple times.
  • Dealing with vague or incomplete information from suppliers or internal teams.
  • When a shipment gets stuck for reasons completely out of your control, despite your perfect paperwork.
  • The sheer volume of paperwork and the need for meticulous detail on every single piece.
  • Being asked to 'just quickly' process something that actually takes a complex series of steps.
What this role does not give you
  • Immediate decision-making authority on significant matters.
  • A fast track to strategic planning or high-level negotiations.
  • A role where you're constantly innovating new processes from scratch (you'll be following them, mostly).
  • A job where you can make significant errors without consequence.

8Who you work with

Your accuracy and timely processing directly prevent delays and unexpected costs. Get it right, and goods flow smoothly. Get it wrong, and we're looking at missed customer deadlines, storage fees at the port, and potential fines from customs. You're safeguarding our reputation and our bottom line, even at this early stage.

Inside the business
  • Warehouse Operations (getting goods ready)
  • Sales Team (delivery expectations)
  • Finance Team (invoice accuracy, duty payments)
  • Product Team (product descriptions for customs)
Outside the business
  • Freight Forwarders (who move our stuff)
  • Customs Brokers (who clear our goods)
  • Shipping Lines/Airlines (the actual transport)
  • Suppliers (getting their documentation)

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • A strong desire to learn about international trade and logistics.
  • Excellent attention to detail – we can't stress this enough.
  • Good organisational skills, even if it's just keeping your own work tidy.
  • Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word).
  • The ability to communicate clearly, both in writing and verbally.
  • A 'can-do' attitude and a willingness to ask questions when you're unsure.

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Advanced ERP/GTM System Reporting

You'll move beyond just pulling standard reports. You'll start to understand how to customise reports to answer specific questions, like 'How many shipments went to Germany last quarter?' or 'What was the average duty paid on product X?'

Report Customisation · Data Filtering & Sorting · Basic Data Export & Manipulation

  • This week: Ask your supervisor to show you how they pull a specific report and try to replicate it.
  • This month: Experiment with different filters and sorting options in your ERP system's reporting module.
  • Month 2: Try to answer a simple business question (e.g., 'Which forwarder did we use most for air freight last month?') using only ERP data.
  • Month 3: Document a simple, useful custom report you've built and share it with your team.

Quick win: Identify one report you use regularly and see if you can add a new filter or column that makes it more useful for you.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Completing internal training modules on Incoterms, HS classification, and customs procedures.
  • Shadowing more experienced team members to understand the end-to-end shipment process.
  • Attending webinars or online courses on global trade basics (e.g., from the IOE&IT).
  • Reading industry news and publications to stay informed about changes in global trade regulations.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

Prompt Engineering & AI Tool Navigation

AI tools are getting better at helping with document review, drafting communications, and even suggesting classifications. Knowing how to ask these tools the right questions ('prompt engineering') will make you significantly more efficient.

  • Clear & Concise Prompting
  • Output Validation
  • Contextual Input

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • Basic Incoterms® Understanding
  • Harmonized System (HS) Classification Fundamentals
  • Landed Cost Awareness
  • Trade Compliance Basics
  • Documentary Credit Familiarity

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    Office Administrator / Support Role

    1-2 years

    Skills to master

    • Organisational skills, attention to detail, basic computer proficiency, clear communication, managing multiple tasks.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Consistently accurate data entry and document management.
    • Reliable in meeting deadlines for administrative tasks.
    • Proactive in asking questions and seeking to understand processes.
    • Positive feedback from colleagues on teamwork and support.
  2. 2

    Warehouse / Logistics Assistant

    1-2 years

    Skills to master

    • Understanding of inventory, shipping processes, physical movement of goods, documentation associated with dispatch/receipt.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Strong understanding of the physical flow of goods and associated paperwork.
    • Ability to identify discrepancies in shipments or documentation.
    • Good grasp of health and safety regulations in a logistics environment.
    • Demonstrated reliability and efficiency in logistics operations.
  3. 3

    Customer Service Representative

    1-2 years

    Skills to master

    • Problem-solving, communication (written and verbal), managing customer expectations, data entry, attention to detail in order processing.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Excellent communication skills, especially in handling queries and issues.
    • Ability to de-escalate situations and find practical solutions for customers.
    • Strong organisational skills in managing customer records and follow-ups.
    • Proven ability to learn and apply complex product or service information.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This work can lead to senior export or import specialist roles, or into global trade operations, handling more complex shipments and processes.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how Export/Import Coordinator is actually changing.

Where it leads

Roles this leads to

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Introduction to Exporting within Supply Chain Logistics, worked against Export/Import Coordinator.

Introduction to Exporting within Supply Chain Logistics Level 2

Applied to your work in Export/Import Coordinator

This unit aims to provide learners with a foundational understanding of exporting within supply chain logistics. Learners will explore the principles and requirements associated with exporting goods, including documentation, customs regulations, and payment methods.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

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See Your Progress Grow Illustration
Export/Import Coordinator
  • Basic Incoterms® Understanding
  • Harmonized System (HS) Classification Fundamentals
  • Landed Cost Awareness
  • Trade Compliance Basics
  • Documentary Credit Familiarity
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

Export/Import Coordinator is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. Export/Import Specialist (Level 002)

    2-3 years (from Coordinator)

    You'll move from executing tasks under supervision to independently owning the end-to-end lifecycle of routine shipments. You'll resolve common issues yourself and become the go-to person for specific lanes or product types.

    • Advanced Incoterms Application Advising on Incoterm choices for routine shipments.
    • Complex HS Classification Independently classifying a wider range of products.
    • Landed Cost Calculation Performing basic landed cost calculations for quotes.
    • Trade Compliance Interpretation Understanding and applying more complex regulations.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

Let's be real, a lot of this job involves repetitive tasks and digging through mountains of information. But what if you could cut down on the grunt work and focus on the interesting stuff? That's where AI comes in. We're not talking about robots taking over, but smart tools that help you get your job done faster and more accurately.

We're building an 'AI Productivity Hub' to give you access to the latest tools that can help with everything from drafting emails to checking documents. Think of it as having a super-efficient assistant that handles the boring bits, freeing you up to learn more, solve trickier problems, and really understand the trade compliance landscape.

Automated HTS Code Suggestion

Instead of manually sifting through product descriptions and classification rules, AI tools can scan engineering specs and suggest the most likely Harmonized System (HS) codes. You'll still review and confirm, but it cuts down the initial legwork significantly. It's like having a super-fast research assistant.

Intelligent Document Extraction & Verification

Imagine AI automatically pulling key data (like PO numbers, values, quantities) from supplier invoices and packing lists. It then cross-references this against our purchase orders, instantly flagging any discrepancies. No more manual data entry errors or endless cross-referencing.

AI-Assisted Email & Report Drafting

Need to send a status update to Sales or draft a quick report on a shipment delay? AI can help you get a solid first draft in minutes, ensuring clarity and accuracy. You'll just need to add the specific details and your personal touch. It's a huge time-saver for routine comms.

Smart Compliance Research

When you need to understand a new regulation or check a specific trade rule, AI can quickly summarise complex legal texts and pull out the most relevant information. It's like having a legal library at your fingertips, making learning about compliance much quicker.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become an Export/Import Coordinator?

Common routes in include Office Administrator / Support Role (1-2 years), Warehouse / Logistics Assistant (1-2 years) and Customer Service Representative (1-2 years). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can an Export/Import Coordinator progress to?

This role can lead on to Export/Import Specialist (2-3 years (from Coordinator)), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for an Export/Import Coordinator?

Increasingly, Prompt Engineering & AI Tool Navigation. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

Free tools

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Three free tools, no account needed. Each one ends with a role, a level and a way in.

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17Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 2

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

 More jobs in international business

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.
If you leave this industry

The skills built here, understanding supply chains, international regulations and logistics, apply across many industries. They can lead into broader supply chain roles, procurement, international sales support, or trade compliance work for a consulting firm or government agency.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my Export/Import Coordinator plan, free What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.