UK

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

Export/Import Coordinator

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, a real day, 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.

  • Experience bandEntry Level (0-2 years)
  • Direct reportsNo direct reports
  • Reports toExport/Import Specialist (L2) or Senior Trade Compliance Specialist (L3)
  • UK framework levelUsually someone starting out, or keeping a process running

Also advertised as Export/Import Assistant · Junior Logistics Specialist · Trade Compliance Administrator

Built on an analysis of 43,079 real UK job descriptions · grounded in qualifications employers recognise

Start with a free Future Fluency check, tuned to Export/Import Coordinator

Ten quick questions, one per Future Fluency, asked against this role rather than a generic one. About five minutes, and no card.

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1What this role really is

This isn't just about moving boxes; it's about making sure the paperwork is spot on and the rules are followed. You'll be the person who gets their hands dirty with the daily grind, making sure shipments actually leave and arrive without a hitch. Think of yourself as the foundational piece in a really complex global puzzle, supporting the team to keep our international supply chain flowing.

2What you'd actually use

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

Microsoft ExcelIntermediate

Creating simple spreadsheets, using basic formulas (SUM, AVERAGE), sorting and filtering data, and performing VLOOKUPs to match information.

Global Trade Management (GTM) Systems (e.g., Descartes Global Logistics Network, E2open)Intermediate

Executing transactions, entering shipment data, pulling standard reports, and tracking shipment statuses within the platform.

ERP System (e.g., SAP S/4HANA GTS module, Oracle NetSuite)Intermediate

Creating delivery orders, processing invoices, verifying master data (like HTS codes), and navigating relevant modules for shipment information.

Freight Forwarder Portals (e.g., Flexport, Kuehne+Nagel myKN, Expeditors.com)Intermediate

Booking routine shipments (under guidance), tracking cargo, retrieving documents (e.g., proof of delivery), and checking shipment statuses.

Power BI / Tableau (Viewer)Basic

Reading and interpreting existing dashboards and reports to understand shipment performance or cost trends, but not building them.

3What 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 inWhere you are nowThe step above
Customs Classification (HS/ECCN)Escalate all classification decisions to supervisor; perform basic lookup using provided tools and guides.Classify routine products independently; consult supervisor on complex or ambiguous items.Make final classification decisions for most products; lead complex classification projects and defend during audits.
Shipment Routing & Carrier SelectionFollow supervisor's instructions for routing; do not select carriers independently.Select carriers for routine shipments based on established contracts and service levels; escalate exceptions.Optimise routing and carrier mix for specific trade lanes; negotiate rates for smaller contracts.
Problem Resolution (e.g., customs hold)Immediately escalate any customs holds or significant shipment delays to supervisor; provide all relevant documentation.Investigate root cause of routine holds; propose solutions to supervisor; execute approved corrective actions.Lead resolution of complex customs issues; develop preventative measures and update SOPs.

4How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, honestly: the hard targets, how often each one is actually looked at, and the quiet human signals that never make it onto a dashboard.

On-Time Filing Rate
The percentage of required customs and shipping documents (like ISF, AES, or customs entries) that you submit by their deadlines.
Target · Consistently above 99.5%.

If you handle 20 filings in a week, and 19 are on time, that's 95%. We're aiming for every single one to be on time, or at least a really good, documented reason why it wasn't.

Documentation Accuracy
The error rate on key shipping documents you prepare or verify, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, or Bills of Lading.
Target · Less than 1% error rate (ideally zero).

Catching a typo on a commercial invoice before it goes to customs, or noticing a missing piece of information on a packing list. One error in 100 documents is too many if it causes a delay or a fine.

Shipment Data Entry Completeness
How thoroughly and accurately you enter shipment details into our Global Trade Management (GTM) system or ERP.
Target · 100% of required fields completed correctly for each shipment.

Making sure every HTS code, country of origin, and value is correctly recorded for each line item. Missing even one piece of information can cause headaches down the line and delay clearance.

Adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
How consistently you follow our established step-by-step guides for processing shipments and handling documentation.
  • Your supervisor will notice if you're always following the checklist, asking questions when unsure, and not cutting corners. We'll see it in the consistency of your work and fewer mistakes that stem from process deviations. It's about doing things 'the Zavmo way' from the start, building good habits.
Proactive Learning & Questioning
Your willingness to ask thoughtful questions, seek clarification, and actively try to understand the 'why' behind processes, rather than just blindly following instructions.
  • You'll be asking 'Why do we need this document for this country but not that one?' or 'What happens if this HTS code is wrong?' during daily check-ins. You'll also be taking notes and remembering answers, so you don't ask the same question repeatedly.
Effective Team Support
How reliably you assist your immediate team members with their tasks, contributing to the overall team workload and helping out when things get busy.
  • When a colleague asks for help with a document, you jump in. You offer to take on extra data entry if someone's swamped. It's about being a dependable pair of hands and making life easier for everyone around you, showing you're a true team player.

5Would you like it

The honest version. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Structured Learning & Skill Building

You'll get a real kick out of mastering new processes and understanding the 'why' behind complex trade rules. Every day offers a chance to learn something new about global supply chains.

Successfully completing your first full customs entry, from gathering documents to final submission, and understanding each step's importance.

Contributing to Tangible Outcomes

You'll see the direct result of your work as shipments move smoothly through customs and arrive at their destination. Your accurate data entry and diligent follow-ups directly prevent delays.

Tracking a critical component from an overseas supplier all the way to our production line, knowing your efforts helped keep manufacturing on schedule.

Working in a Collaborative Team

You enjoy being part of a team where everyone supports each other. You'll appreciate the regular check-ins and the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues who are always willing to help.

Working with your supervisor to troubleshoot a minor documentation issue, learning from their expertise on how to handle similar situations in the future.

What frustrates people
  • Chasing paperwork from internal teams or suppliers who are slow to respond.
  • Dealing with minor, but frequent, data discrepancies that need correcting.
  • Having to explain basic customs requirements to internal stakeholders repeatedly.
  • The feeling that you're a human tracking system for 'where's my stuff?' queries.
  • Learning complex regulations that seem to change constantly.
What this role does not give you
  • High-level strategic decision-making on trade policy.
  • Direct management of a team or significant budget authority.
  • A completely predictable, unchanging daily routine.
  • Immediate, high-visibility project leadership.

6Who you work with

Your work directly impacts our ability to deliver products to customers on time and without unexpected costs. Essentially, you help keep our global supply chain flowing, which means happy customers and a healthy bottom line. Every accurate data entry and timely document contributes to our overall success.

Inside the business
  • Operations Team
  • Sales Support
  • Finance Department (for invoicing queries)
Outside the business
  • Freight Forwarders
  • Customs Brokers
  • Suppliers (for documentation)
  • Carriers

7What you need before you start

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

  • A solid grasp of basic maths for checking invoices and quantities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
  • Proven ability to follow detailed instructions and work methodically.
  • Experience with basic office software (Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and Outlook).
  • A genuine interest in international business and logistics, even if it's just a curiosity.

8What to practise next

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

Enhanced Data Literacy & Interpretation

With more data available from our GTM and ERP systems, simply entering it isn't enough. You'll need to start understanding what the numbers mean, identifying anomalies, and being able to explain basic trends to your supervisor.

Data Quality Checks · Basic Reporting Metrics · Trend Identification

  • This week: Pay extra attention to the numbers you're entering. Ask your supervisor what happens if a specific data point is wrong.
  • This month: Ask your supervisor for access to a basic shipment performance report and try to understand what each column means.
  • Month 2: Try to spot one 'unusual' data point in a report and ask your supervisor about it.
  • Month 3: Learn how to filter and sort data in Excel to find specific information quickly.

Quick win: When you pull a standard report, take an extra minute to look for anything that stands out. Even a small question can lead to a big learning opportunity.

9Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Attending introductory webinars or online courses on Incoterms® 2020 or HS classification.
  • Reading industry publications (e.g., Lloyd's List, The Loadstar) to stay updated on global shipping news.
  • Joining relevant professional groups on LinkedIn to see what others in the industry are discussing.
  • Participating in internal training sessions on our GTM or ERP systems.

10How the AI economy is changing work like this

Before we ask anything of you, here's what we can already say about AI and work of this kind:

The new skill this role is being asked for: Prompt Engineering & LLM Integration (Basic)

AI language models (LLMs) are becoming incredibly good at drafting communications, summarising information, and even helping with initial data checks. Learning to 'talk' to these tools effectively will make your daily tasks much more efficient.

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

Your PlanIllustration

Built for Export/Import Coordinator

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

  1. Exporting Goods within Supply Chain LogisticsOpen Awards · covers 5 of 12 standardsLevel 3
  2. Import or Export Products or ServicesSFEDI Enterprises Ltd. T/A SFEDI Awards · covers 2 of 12 standardsLevel 3
  3. Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements in logistics operationsPearson Education Ltd · covers 2 of 12 standardsLevel 3
  4. Introduction to Exporting within Supply Chain LogisticsOpen Awards · covers 2 of 12 standardsLevel 2
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.

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 & LLM Integration (Basic)

AI language models (LLMs) are becoming incredibly good at drafting communications, summarising information, and even helping with initial data checks. Learning to 'talk' to these tools effectively will make your daily tasks much more efficient.

  • Clear Prompting
  • Context Windows
  • Output Validation
  • Basic AI Tools

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • Harmonised System (HS/HTS) Classification Basics
  • Incoterms® 2020 Awareness
  • Landed Cost Components Recognition
  • Customs Documentation Comprehension

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

    Administrative Assistant / Office Support

    1-2 years

    Skills to master

    • Organisation, data entry accuracy, basic communication, attention to detail, following procedures.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Consistently reliable in administrative tasks.
    • Demonstrates a proactive attitude to learning new systems.
    • Handles multiple small tasks efficiently and accurately.
  2. 2

    Logistics Clerk / Warehouse Administrator

    1-2 years

    Skills to master

    • Understanding of supply chain basics, inventory management, shipping documentation (domestic), communication with carriers.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Familiar with physical movement of goods and associated paperwork.
    • Can track and reconcile inventory accurately.
    • Shows an interest in the international aspects of logistics.
  3. 3

    Graduate Scheme (Business/Logistics)

    0-1 year (as part of a rotation)

    Skills to master

    • Analytical thinking, project support, cross-functional exposure, professional communication.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Strong academic record in a relevant field.
    • Demonstrates a keen interest in international trade.
    • Proactive in seeking learning opportunities within the business.

11Where this role leads

The long view:This role is a fantastic stepping stone. We're investing in you for the long term, and with hard work and a curious mind, there's a clear path to becoming a real expert in global trade. It won't always be easy, but it will certainly be rewarding.

Pay & demand

Pay and demand for this role will appear here, each figure traced to a named authoritative source (e.g. the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, under the Open Government Licence). We don’t show numbers we can’t attribute.

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. In about two minutes, the free confidence check asks where you stand on each of the ten. That's the whole check, and it's what makes the plan yours rather than generic.

Where it leads

Roles this leads to

12The team that's yours

No two people are taught the same way. This is one-to-one, not one-to-many.

Zavmo is a hyper-personalised AI learning platform. Twelve virtual tutors, each with a different way of teaching, and one orchestration agent that picks the right one for the moment. So every single lesson is shaped around you, your role, and the way you learn. Not a course everyone sits through. A conversation built for you, and no one else.

…and nine more, matched to you after your first chat. Meet all twelve

Start free and meet yours

13What it feels like

A conversation, not a course

Because your tutor knows your role, your projects and your last session, learning sounds like this. And it's different for every single person:

Exporting Goods within Supply Chain LogisticsLevel 3

Applied to your work in Export/Import Coordinator

The objective of this unit is to enable learners to understand the processes and regulations involved in exporting goods within supply chain logistics. Learners will identify commonly exported goods, understand the associated regulations and requirements, explain the role of Customs authorities, describe customs clearance processes, and understand how to calculate duty on exported goods.

How the thinking builds
  1. Remember
  2. Understand
  3. Apply
  4. Analyse
  5. Evaluate
  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.

One to one, not one to many

No two people run this the same way

A course is written once and handed to everyone. This is assembled around you, and keeps changing as it learns you. Five things it reads, and what each one changes.

  1. Your actual work Every lesson is taught against a live piece of your own work, not a worked example from a textbook.
  2. What you already know The first conversation finds your starting point, so you skip what you can already do and spend the time on what you cannot.
  3. The conditions you learn under Not a learning-styles quiz. The evidence does not support those. The dimensions the research does back, read once and used to shape the plan.
  4. How far you got last time It picks up mid-thought. The tutor knows what you said, what you struggled with, and what it asked you to try.
  5. Which tutor suits the moment Twelve of them, each for a different kind of thinking. The one who walks you through a first idea is not the one who stress-tests it.

See how you learn, free. Eight questions, no sign-up. A directional taster; the diagnostic inside Zavmo goes deeper and keeps adapting.

DemonstrateIllustration

Evidenced on your work in Export/Import Coordinator

You do not finish by watching something. You finish by showing it on the work you already do, against the measures this job is judged on.

  • On-Time Filing RateThe percentage of required customs and shipping documents (like ISF, AES, or customs entries) that you submit by their deadlines.If you handle 20 filings in a week, and 19 are on time, that's 95%. We're aiming for every single one to be on time, or at least a really good, documented reason why it wasn't.Consistently above 99.5%.
  • Documentation AccuracyThe error rate on key shipping documents you prepare or verify, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, or Bills of Lading.Catching a typo on a commercial invoice before it goes to customs, or noticing a missing piece of information on a packing list. One error in 100 documents is too many if it causes a delay or a fine.Less than 1% error rate (ideally zero).
  • Shipment Data Entry CompletenessHow thoroughly and accurately you enter shipment details into our Global Trade Management (GTM) system or ERP.Making sure every HTS code, country of origin, and value is correctly recorded for each line item. Missing even one piece of information can cause headaches down the line and delay clearance.100% of required fields completed correctly for each shipment.
These are this job's own measures, with its own targets. Nothing is marked evidenced, because nobody has started this yet. Yours would fill in from the work you bring.

Your passport

This isn't a certificate you file away. It's a passport to the life you're designing.

Every credit you earn and every fluency you build adds up: evidence where it counts, carried with you. Zavmo keeps the map: where you are, where you're heading, and the next step, at your pace, around your life. From Export/Import Coordinator to Export/Import Specialist (L2), and whatever you decide comes after.

Level 2 · in progressAI Fluency→ Export/Import Specialist (L2)→ your design
Where this takes you

This role is a fantastic stepping stone. We're investing in you for the long term, and with hard work and a curious mind, there's a clear path to becoming a real expert in global trade. It won't always be easy, but it will certainly be rewarding.

See Your Progress GrowIllustration
Export/Import Coordinator
  • Harmonised System (HS/HTS) Classification Basics
  • Incoterms® 2020 Awareness
  • Landed Cost Components Recognition
  • Customs Documentation Comprehension
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.

14The 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 (L2)

    2-3 years in this role

    You'll move from executing tasks under supervision to owning the end-to-end lifecycle of multiple shipments, making routine operational decisions independently.

    • Advanced HS/ECCN classification for a wider range of products
    • Optimising Incoterm selection for specific transactions
    • Basic negotiation with freight forwarders for spot rates
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

Forget the old ways of slogging through repetitive tasks. We're embracing AI to make your job smarter, not harder. As an Export/Import Coordinator, you'll get to use some clever tools that take the grunt work out of your day, freeing you up to learn the really interesting stuff.

We know that a big part of this job involves mountains of documents, endless data entry, and trying to keep up with ever-changing rules. That's why we're bringing AI into the mix. It's not here to replace you, but to be your personal assistant, helping you get through the tedious bits faster and with fewer mistakes. Think of it as a superpower for your daily tasks.

Automated HS Classification Suggestions

Imagine an AI tool that gives you a good starting point for HS codes on new products. You'll use it to quickly get a suggested classification, which you'll then verify with our internal guidelines and your supervisor. It cuts down on the initial research time significantly.

Regulatory Change Summariser

Instead of sifting through dense government websites, you'll get a concise, AI-generated summary of any new or proposed trade regulations that might affect our shipments. This means you're always learning about the latest rules without the boring bits.

Smart Communication Drafter

Need to send a standard email requesting a missing document from a supplier? Or a quick update to a freight forwarder? Our AI can draft those emails for you in seconds, ensuring consistent language and saving you loads of typing time. You just review and send.

Predictive Disruption Alerts (for awareness)

You'll receive AI-generated alerts about potential port congestion, weather issues, or other disruptions that might affect our shipments. This isn't about making decisions, but about being informed early so you can flag potential problems to your supervisor.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become an Export/Import Coordinator?

Common routes in include Administrative Assistant / Office Support (1-2 years), Logistics Clerk / Warehouse Administrator (1-2 years) and Graduate Scheme (Business/Logistics) (0-1 year (as part of a rotation)). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can an Export/Import Coordinator progress to?

This role can lead on to Export/Import Specialist (L2) (2-3 years in this role), depending on the skills you build.

What level is an Export/Import Coordinator in the UK?

This role aligns to RQF Level 2 on the UK framework, a guide to the depth of qualification it maps to, not a hard entry bar.

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

Increasingly, Prompt Engineering & LLM Integration (Basic). These are the areas where the higher-paid, future-proof work is heading.

The honest bit

You’ve started things before

Most of them were built for a room full of people who aren’t you. A cohort moves on whether or not your week allowed it, and by the third week the thing you’re behind on becomes the reason you stop opening it.

There’s no cohort here, and no timetable to fall behind. Before anything starts, Zavmo asks when you’re sharpest and how long you can realistically sit down for, then builds the sessions around those answers. A bad fortnight changes your pace. It doesn’t put you behind.

And you only pay once you start learning. Searching and planning are free, and you can cancel any time — so the cost of finding out is an afternoon, not a year.

What it costs

Less than one coaching session. Every month.

A single career-coaching hour costs more than a month of this, and it ends when the hour does. Zavmo doesn't. It's £70 a month, about £2.30 a day, for a companion that knows an Export/Import Coordinator, works on the job you actually do, and keeps going at your pace rather than a timetable's.

  • Searching and planning stay free. You only pay when you start learning.
  • Your credits are yours. Regulated, and they don't vanish when a subscription ends.
  • Cancel any time and billing stops. No notice period, no minimum term.

Your path, personalised

You have the map. Walking it is the part we do together.

This route runs to 12 national skill standards. That is a real journey.

Zavmo shapes a learning experience as unique as you are. It fits how you learn, your pace and the work you already do. Every step stays benchmarked to recognised national standards. That’s the plan for becoming an Export/Import Coordinator: personal to you, and it still counts. The first steps are free.

Independent research finds well-designed intelligent tutoring performs nearly as well as one-to-one human tutoring: VanLehn (2011), Educational Psychologist.

A private tutor in the UK averages £35–40 an hour . Zavmo is £70/month.

A real plan on learn.zavmo.ai: Ofqual-regulated units, credits, and a three-month run at your own pace.
Start free No commitment. See your first steps free.

15Where 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.

Other roles in International Business Global

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.

If you leave this industry

The skills you'll build here are highly transferable. You could move into broader supply chain roles, procurement, or even roles within freight forwarding companies or customs brokerages. International trade is a massive field, and your foundational knowledge will open many doors.

Not sure this is the right direction?

Work out what you actually want from work first, then come back and see which roles fit it. Takes about ten minutes.

This role profile is © 2026Growth 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. Build my plan, free Here's the first ten minutes: a 2-minute confidence check → your personalised roadmap → meet the tutors matched to you. No card, cancel any time. 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.