Skip to content
ESCO occupation

import export specialist

Back to ESCO occupations

Import export specialists have and apply deep knowledge of import and export goods including customs clearance and documentation. They declare goods that cross the border, inform customers about customs and give advice concerning disputes related to customs legislation. They prepare the documents needed and make sure they are delivered to customs. They check and process duty and make sure VAT payments are done as applicable.

3331.2.1 ISCO 3331 ESCO source
Competences
93
Groups
4
Essential
27
Optional
66

Competences and skills

93 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 5 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

3 competences
embargo regulations

The national, international and foreign sanctions and embargo regulations, e.g. Council Regulation (EU) No 961/2010.

ESCO source
international commercial transactions rules

Pre-defined commercial terms used in international commercial transactions which stipulate clear tasks, costs and risks associated with the delivery of goods and services.

ESCO source
international import export regulations

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

ESCO source

Cross-sector

2 competences
international business

The processes related to production or distribution of goods and services across borders.

ESCO source
value-added tax law

Taxes imposed on the purchase prices of goods and the legislation that governs this activity.

ESCO source
Essential skills and competences 22 competences

Occupation specific

3 competences
apply for refunds

Make inquiries at the supplier in order to return, exchange or refund goods.

ESCO source
arrange customs documents

Make sure goods have the proper documentation and information to pass customs.

ESCO source
arrange customs inspection

Contact customs in order to let them inspect the import or export goods. Make sure every shipment has the proper documentation and conform to legislation and regulations.

ESCO source

Sector-specific

8 competences
apply import strategies

Follow and implement strategies for importing according to the size of the company, the nature of its products, the available expertise, and business conditions on the international markets. These strategies include procedural and strategic issues and involve the use of customs agencies or brokers.

ESCO source
build rapport with people from different cultural backgrounds

Understand and create a link with people from different cultures, countries, and ideologies without judgements or preconceptions.

ESCO source
communicate with shipment forwarders

Maintain a good flow of communication with shipper and freight forwarders, who ensure a correct delivery and distribution of goods.

ESCO source
ensure customs compliance

Implement and monitor compliance with import and export requirements in order to avoid customs claims, supply chain interruption, increased overall costs.

ESCO source
handle carriers

Organise the transportation system through which a product is conveyed to its buyer, through which a product is sourced from a supplier, including customs.

ESCO source
manage import export licenses

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

ESCO source
monitor merchandise delivery

Follow up logistical organisation of products; ensure that products have been transported in a correct and timely fashion.

ESCO source
plan transport operations

Plan mobility and transport for different departments, in order to obtain the best possible movement of equipment and materials. Negotiate the best possible delivery rates; compare different bids and select the most reliable and cost-effective bid.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

11 competences
administer multi-modal logistics

Manage the flow of products through multi-modal transportation.

ESCO source
apply conflict management

Take ownership of the handling of all complaints and disputes showing empathy and understanding to achieve resolution. Be fully aware of all Social Responsibility protocols and procedures, and be able to deal with a problematic gambling situation in a professional manner with maturity and empathy.

ESCO source
apply export strategies

Follow and implement strategies according to the size of the company and possible advantages towards the international market. Set goals to export products or commodities to the market, in order to minimize risks for potential buyers.

ESCO source
create import-export commercial documentation

Organise the completion of official documents such as letters of credit, shipping orders, and certificates of origin.

ESCO source
create solutions to problems

Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.

ESCO source
file claims with insurance companies

File a factual request to an insurance company in case a problem occurs which is covered under an insurance policy.

ESCO source
handle quotes from prospective shippers

Evaluate the quotes fares and services offered from prospective transporters on the market.

ESCO source
have computer literacy

Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.

digital
ESCO source
meet deadlines

Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.

ESCO source
perform clerical duties

Perform administrative tasks such as filing, typing up reports and maintaining mail correspondence.

ESCO source
speak different languages

Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.

research
ESCO source
Optional knowledge 58 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

51 competences
agricultural equipment

The offered agricultural machinery and equipment products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
agricultural raw materials, seeds and animal feed products

The offered agricultural raw materials, seeds and animal feed products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
animal health rules of distribution of products of animal origin

Types of national and international animal health rules governing the distribution and introduction of products of animal origin for human consumption, e.g. Directive 2002/99/EC.

ESCO source
beverage products

The offered beverage products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
chemical products

The offered chemical products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
clothing and footwear products

The offered clothing and footwear products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
clothing industry

Major suppliers, brands and products involved in the clothing industry.

ESCO source
coffee, tea, cocoa and spice products

The offered coffee, tea, cocoa and spice products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
computer equipment

The offered computers, computer peripheral equipment and software products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

digital
ESCO source
construction products

The offered construction materials, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
dairy and edible oil products

The offered dairy products and edible oil products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
electrical household appliances products

The offered electrical household appliances products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
electronic and telecommunication equipment

The offered electronic and telecommunication equipment and products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

digital
ESCO source
export regulations of dual-use goods

Field of information distinguishing national and international regulations concerning the export of dual-use goods.

ESCO source
fish, crustacean and mollusc products

The offered fish, crustacean and mollusc products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
flower and plant products

The offered flower and plant products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

green
ESCO source
food and beverage industry

The respective industry and the processes involved in the food and beverage industry, such as raw material selection, processing, packaging, and storage.

ESCO source
food hygiene rules

The set of national and international regulations for hygiene of foodstuffs and food safety, e.g. regulation (EC) 852/2004.

ESCO source
fruit and vegetable products

The offered fruit and vegetable products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
furniture, carpet and lighting equipment products

The offered furniture, carpet and lighting equipment products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
general principles of food law

The national and international legal rules and requirements applied in the food industry.

ESCO source
glassware products

The offered china glassware and other glassware products such as cups and vases, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
hardware, plumbing and heating equipment products

The offered hardware, plumbing and heating equipment products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
hides, skins and leather products

The offered hides, skins and leather products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
household products

The offered household products or goods, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
ICT software specifications

The characteristics, use and operations of various software products such as computer programmes and application software.

digital
ESCO source
import export regulations of dangerous chemicals

The international and national legal rules for exporting and importing dangerous chemicals.

ESCO source
industrial tools

The tools and equipment used for industrial purposes, both power and hand tools, and their various uses.

ESCO source
live animal products

The offered live animal products, their specificity and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
machine tools

The offered machine tools and products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
machinery products

The offered machinery products their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
meat and meat products

The offered meat and meat products, their properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
metal and metal ore products

The offered metal and metal ore products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
mining, construction and civil engineering machinery products

The offered mining, construction and civil engineering machinery products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
office equipment

The offered office machinery and equipment products, its functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
office furniture products

The offered office furniture products, its functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
perfume and cosmetic products

The offered perfume and cosmetic products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
pharmaceutical products

The offered pharmaceutical products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
protective measures against the introduction of organisms

The national and international protective measures against the introduction of organisms, e.g. Council Directive 2000/29/EC, on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community.

green
ESCO source
regulations for international transportation

The relevant regulations and legislation that applies to transportation of national or foreign cargo or passengers to and from different countries via vessels or aircraft.

ESCO source
regulations on substances

The national and international regulations on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, e.g. regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.

ESCO source
sugar, chocolate and sugar confectionery products

The offered sugar, chocolate and sugar confectionery products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
textile industry machinery products

The offered textile industry machinery products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
textile products, textile semi-finished products and raw materials

The offered textile products, textile semi-finished products and raw materials, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
tobacco products

The varieties of products that can be manufactured using tobacco leaves as a base. The types of tobacco products which are smoked tobacco products, smokeless tobacco products, and byproducts of tobacco leaves.

ESCO source
types of aircraft

The various types of aircraft, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
types of coffee beans

Most known coffee types, Arabica and Robusta, and the cultivars under each one of those types.

ESCO source
types of maritime vessels

Various types of maritime vessels such as container ships, passenger ships and fishing vessels, and their characteristics and specifications, security, technical, and maintenance requirements.

ESCO source
waste and scrap products

The offered waste and scrap products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
watches and jewellery products

The offered watches and jewellery products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
wood products

The various wood products such as lumber and furniture, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

7 competences
communication principles

The set of commonly shared principles in regards with communication such as active listening, establish rapport, adjusting the register, and respecting the intervention of others.

ESCO source
export control principles

The restrictions a country imposes on its exported products and goods.

ESCO source
footwear industry

Major brands, manufacturers and products available on the footwear market including the different types of shoes, components and materials used.

ESCO source
international regulations for cargo handling

The body of conventions, guidelines and rules which dictate the activity of loading and unloading cargo in international ports.

ESCO source
multimedia systems

The methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.

digital
ESCO source
national regulations on handling cargo

The national regulations governing the loading and unloading of cargo in ports within that country.

ESCO source
teamwork principles

The cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.

ESCO source
Optional skills and competences 8 competences

Occupation specific

3 competences
investigate manufacturing facilities

Inspect foreign manufacturing facilities for violations of child labour laws, product safety, hygiene, or other areas of concern.

ESCO source
perform export of commodities

Use tariff schedules and obtain the right logistics and licenses for the export of different types of products and commodities to foreign countries.

ESCO source
perform import of commodities

Oversee the activities for buying and importing products and commodities by obtaining the right import permits and tariffs. Perform any other follow-up actions.

ESCO source

Sector-specific

2 competences
abide by business ethical code of conducts

Conform and follow the ethical code of conducts promoted by companies and businesses at large. Ensure that operations and activities do comply with the code of conduct and ethical operations the supply chain throughout.

ESCO source
apply regulations regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages

Comply to government regulations concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages and obtain a license if required.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

3 competences
communicate with customers

Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.

ESCO source
perform market research

Gather, assess and represent data about target market and customers in order to facilitate strategic development and feasibility studies. Identify market trends.

ESCO source
write work-related reports

Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.

ESCO source