How To Become An Import Coordinator: What It Is and Career Path

What is an import coordinator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Import coordinators are responsible for overseeing the delivery of incoming goods and ensuring that they comply with customs regulations. They do this by tracking and documenting shipments, advising clients, categorizing shipments by tariff coding system, and using appropriate packaging to prepare items for shipment. Import coordinators earn an average salary of $39,000 annually or roughly $19 per hour.

Import coordinators are in charge of the logistics of transporting goods into the country. They administer the delivery of all cargo and process all custom releases. They also ensure work is done within a required timeframe and assist supervisors to resolve transaction issues. They are also responsible for providing optimal customer services to all clients and maintaining status reports for all shipments.

Import coordinators typically hold a bachelor's degree in global business management, international finance, or other related fields. They are expected to possess excellent communication skills and be able to speak a foreign language. Some employers also prefer candidates with a deep understanding of the global economy.

ScoreImport CoordinatorUS Average

Salary

3.7

Avg. Salary $46,843

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.6

Growth Rate 6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.76%

Asian 16.14%

Black or African American 6.52%

Hispanic or Latino 26.59%

Unknown 6.65%

White 43.33%

Gender

female 67.39%

male 32.61%

Age - 41.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41.5

Stress Level

6.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

5.0

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

3.5

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an import coordinator

Explore import coordinator education requirements

Most common import coordinator degrees

Bachelor's

60.0 %

Associate

16.6 %

High School Diploma

10.2 %

Start to develop specific import coordinator skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	15.66%
Logistics	10.99%
US Customs	6.78%
Forwarders	4.44%
FDA	4.39%

Complete relevant import coordinator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New import coordinators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an import coordinator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real import coordinator resumes.

Research import coordinator duties and responsibilities

Work directly with government agencies including FDA, USDA, and CBP to resolve import delays.
Ensure import documentation is accurately process, distribute and release to ocean lines and freight forwarders.
Delete ABI and remove from FedEx bill for void entries.
Launch company's TSA program.

Prepare your import coordinator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your import coordinator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an import coordinator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Import Coordinator Resume templates

Build a professional Import Coordinator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Import Coordinator resume.

Apply for import coordinator jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an import coordinator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do import coordinators rate their job?

-/5

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Import Coordinator reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019

Pros

It's logical - it makes sense. You go through a whole process for each booking and when it releases/sails you know your job is done.

Cons

Mostly sitting, repetitive