Profession shipping agent

Shipping agents represent the ship owner in a foreign port. They make sure customs is cleared in a timely manner so that the cargo doesn't have to stay too long in the port. Shipping agents also ensure that insurance, licences and other formalities are in order.

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • Port regulation

    Know port standards and legal regulations, based primarily on municipal laws, port laws or the Maritime Code.

  • International import export regulations

    Know the principles that govern the import and export of products and equipment, trade restrictions, health and safety measures, licenses, etc.

Skills

  • Control trade commercial documentation

    Monitor written records containing information related to commercial transactions such as invoice, letter of credit, order, shipping, certificate of origin.

  • Provide advice to clients in terms of import restrictions

    Inform clients about import restrictions such as import tariffs, licenses, quotas, currency restrictions, prohibition and other related regulations.

  • Manage import export licenses

    Ensure the effective issuing of permits and licenses in import and export processes.

  • Provide advice to clients in terms of export restrictions

    Inform clients about the export restrictions, which consist of regulations about limitations on the quantity of exported goods imposed by a specific country or government.

  • Make bids in forward auctions

    Create and provide forward bids, taking into account possible special requirements such as refrigeration of goods or transport of potentially hazardous materials.

  • Liaise with port users

    Communicate and cooperate with port users such as shipping agents, freight customers and port managers.

  • Apply procedures to ensure cargo complies with customs regulations

    Apply the different procedures required to meet customs obligations when transporting goods across borders and arriving via ports/airports or any other logistics hub, such as producing written customs declarations. Apply different procedures for different types of goods, and ensure compliance with shipping regulations.;

  • Keep up-to-date to current customs regulations

    Follow the latest developments and changes occurred in customs regulations and government policies related to international trade.

  • Ensure compliance with port regulations

    Enforce compliance with regulations in harbours and sea ports. Communicate with relevant authorities to identify potential risks.

  • Comply with regulations related to export in different countries

    Check that the labels of products and the packaging are compliant with different regulations in the countries where they are exported.

Optional knowledge and skills

handle shipment paperwork coordinate export transportation activities observe freight shipment loaders inspect freight liaise between the client and various transportation services administer multi-modal logistics coordinate import transportation activities create import-export commercial documentation keep written records of cargo oversee arrival and departure of ships into port have access to shipping rates prepare bills of lading book cargo

Source: Sisyphus ODB