Apprentice Import Operator

Fantastic opportunity

Fantastic opportunity to develop a career in the fast-paced freight sector, learning transport route planning, customs clearance, and customer service. You will gain a recognised qualification along with new skills and knowledge.

Wage

£18,000 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

Hours

Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm. 37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 10 August 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working.

You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Key focus areas:

• Submission of customer bookings in line with Customer Service SOP’s – to include:
  • Monitoring and actioning emails from origin offices, agents, clients, and vendors on a daily basis in relation to the tasks set out within the role.
  • Handling of all Delivery requests for the Import Team and any queries that are related to this portion of the movement.
  • Handling of routed bookings placed in the UK which will include placing the initial booking through the internal system to notify origin, updating the customer frequently with the current status, providing the draft bl for checking and ensuring Shipped on Board and Final bl is proactively provided upon sailing.
  • Handling of Import Customs Clearances where required.
  • Answering phone calls from clients and vendors daily and promptly, also returning calls for any messages left in voicemail.
  • Maximising revenue through value “add on” and working efficiently to minimize errors and unnecessary costs.
  • Ensuring all costs are accrued for accurately and vendors are rating based on our tariff agreements, unless specifically outside of this.
  • Develop experience in a Customer Service setting.
  • Ensure all relevant & correct costs are filed into internal system accordingly.

Where you'll work

1 ARGENT COURT
SYLVAN WAY
SOUTHFIELDS BUSINESS PARK
BASILDON
SS15 6TH

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training.

You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SEETEC BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE LIMITED

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Select freight forwarding services based on customer requirements, taking into account country specific factors, delivery times and modes.
• Use generic or bespoke ICT systems in order to enter and monitor data on importing or exporting goods.
• Book, plan and monitor international shipments, using manual or ICT systems, in accordance with the rules and regulations that apply to that area of the world and to the goods consigned.
• Prepare a customs declaration to a national standard, or give custom clearance instructions to a third party.
• Use data systems to submit the information required by customs authorities as part of the management of the international movement of goods.
• Produce freight costings and invoices in line with Incoterms, customer profile or sales contract.
• Identify and source data from customers, systems or colleagues.
• Identify and resolve problems in line with responsibilities.
• Create and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Adapt communication based on the situation and the audience.
• Identify problems outside of limits of responsibility and escalate within company policy.
• Communicate in writing, preparing communications on technical matters.
• Communicate with others verbally, including internal and external customers.
• Air. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the air freight industry.
• Air. Select and use documentation appropriate to the air freight industry.
• Ocean. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the ocean freight industry.
• Ocean. Select and use documentation appropriate to the ocean freight industry.
• Road. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the road freight industry.
• Road. Select and use documentation appropriate to the road freight industry.
• Select freight forwarding services based on customer requirements, taking into account country specific factors, delivery times and modes.
• Use generic or bespoke ICT systems in order to enter and monitor data on importing or exporting goods.
• Book, plan and monitor international shipments, using manual or ICT systems, in accordance with the rules and regulations that apply to that area of the world and to the goods consigned.
• Prepare a customs declaration to a national standard, or give custom clearance instructions to a third party.
• Use data systems to submit the information required by customs authorities as part of the management of the international movement of goods.
• Produce freight costings and invoices in line with Incoterms, customer profile or sales contract.
• Identify and source data from customers, systems or colleagues.
• Identify and resolve problems in line with responsibilities.
• Create and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Adapt communication based on the situation and the audience.
• Identify problems outside of limits of responsibility and escalate within company policy.
• Communicate in writing, preparing communications on technical matters.
• Communicate with others verbally, including internal and external customers.