Shipping and Receiving Clerks

Career summary

#No alternate titles CJ

Shipping

Shipping clerks are responsible for all outgoing shipments. They keep track of and maintain the inventory of goods to be shipped. They fill orders, or make sure orders filled by other workers are correct. They prepare invoices to send with the order.

Clerks often perform the following tasks:

• Pack and label the materials for shipping
• Weigh the package
• Attach postage when required

They decide what shipping method to use, based on their knowledge of rates for various sizes and distances. They also compare different routes to find ways to use less fuel to transport goods. Clerks may move the goods from the warehouse to the loading dock. 

Receiving

Receiving clerks contact other companies to order goods and arrange for delivery. When shipments arrive, clerks verify the contents against the original order. They also make sure that the contents match the invoice.

Clerks record data about each incoming shipments. They check for damages and discrepancies. In many organizations, clerks use hand-held scanners to read bar codes on incoming shipments.

In small companies, receiving clerks may also perform stock clerk duties. For example, they stock shipped goods and mark them with identifying codes.

In larger companies, shipping and receiving clerks may transfer items between different parts of the organization.

Related careers

This career is part of the Business Management and Administration cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Bookbinders and Bindery Workers
• Freight Handlers
• Mail Clerks
• Metal and Plastic Processing Workers
• Stock Clerks

Military careers

• Warehousing and Distribution Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to shipping and receiving clerks.

• Verify contents of shipment against original order and invoice.
• Prepare documents such as work orders or invoices.
• Decide shipping method, using knowledge of shipping routes and rates. Compare routes or methods to reduce fuel use, cost, and impact on the environment.
• Record shipment data, such as weight, charges, and damages. May use hand-held scanner.
• Contact companies to arrange for shipping and delivery of goods, or to correct problems.
• Order and store materials to maintain inventory of stock to be shipped.
• Pack, seal, label, and affix postage to prepare materials for shipping.
• Deliver or route materials to departments.
• Fill orders or make sure orders are filled correctly.
• Record items taken from inventory.
• May move goods from warehouse to shipping dock, using forklift or hand truck.
• May perform stock clerk duties, such as stocking and marking shipped goods.

Common work activities

Shipping and receiving clerks perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Handle and move objects
• Document and record information
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Teach others
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Process information
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Schedule work and activities
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Evaluate information against standards
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Use computers
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Control machines and processes
• Perform administrative tasks

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, shipping and receiving clerks:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They interact with coworkers and contacts in other organizations.
• Are responsible for work outcomes.
• Are very responsible for coworkers' health and safety.
• Sometimes deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous contacts in other organizations, usually in conflict situations.
• Communicate with coworkers and contacts in other organizations by telephone or in person daily.
• Often use e-mail to communicate with coworkers and contacts in other organizations. Occasionally write letters and memos.
• Work in a group or as part of a team and coordinate work activities.

Physical work conditions

• Work indoors most of the time. May work in cold storage rooms or outside on loading platforms on occasion.
• Are sometimes exposed to loud sounds and distracting noises.
• Are occasionally exposed to contaminants. Wear protective safety attire in these situations.
• Work near other people, but usually have a few feet of space separating them from others.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work. Errors could cost the company money.
• Repeat the same physical activities, such as moving or lifting materials.
• Make decisions on a weekly basis that affect company money. They consult supervisors for some decisions, but make most without talking to a supervisor.
• Must meet strict deadlines on a daily basis.
• Are able to set some tasks for the day without consulting a supervisor.

Hours/travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• Usually work 40 hours a week.

Physical demands

Shipping and receiving clerks frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.

It is important for shipping and receiving clerks to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for shipping and receiving clerks to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• See objects in very low light.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.

Skills and abilities

Shipping and receiving clerks need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand written information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Perceive and visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Office Support

Other programs of study to consider

• Data Entry and Processing
• Logistics and Materials Management

Training

To work as a shipping and receiving clerk, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education beyond high school is required for this occupation.

On-the-job training

Shipping and receiving clerks usually learn their skills on the job. You work with an experienced clerk and do routine tasks under close supervision. You learn to track inventory, order supplies, and keep records. You may receive training for up to a month.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be warehousing and distribution specialists. Training lasts four to six weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Fundamentals
• Office Procedures
• Physical Education

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers generally prefer to hire clerks with computer experience. Many employers prefer applicants with basic clerical skills, such as typing, filing, and recordkeeping. Previous business experience or specific job-related experience is also helpful. In addition, employers prefer applicants with good speaking and writing skills. Strength and good eyesight are also important. Some employers require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent.

In some companies, hiring is based on the bid system. Workers who handle liquor, jewelry, or pharmaceuticals may be required to be bonded. Some employers may require workers to pass a criminal background check and pre-employment drug test.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by industry and area of the country. In general, wages are higher in big cities than in small towns.

Full-time shipping and receiving clerks may receive benefits. Typical benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Shipping and receiving clerks work in almost every industry. Although jobs are found throughout the country, most are in or near large cities.

Major employers:

• Manufacturers
• Warehousing and storage companies
• Department stores

National outlook

Growth for clerks is expected to show little to no change. Automation will limit growth.

Even with automation, some jobs will be created because of increasing trade. Also, many tasks cannot be automated. In addition, many job openings will occur as current clerks leave the occupation.

Other resources

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

• Business Management and Administration

Career path

• Conventional (Business Operations)

O*Net  occupation

• Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks (43-5071.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Booking Clerk (248.367-014) 
• Car Checker (222.387-014) 
• Container Coordinator (248.367-022) 
• Distributing Clerk (222.587-018) 
• Grain Elevator Clerk (222.567-010) 
• Gun-repair Clerk (222.387-022) 
• Incoming-freight Clerk (248.362-010) 
• Industrial-order Clerk (221.367-022) 
• Paper-control Clerk (219.367-022) 
• Photofinishing Laboratory Worker (976.687-018) 
• Reconsignment Clerk (209.367-042) 
• Route-delivery Clerk (222.587-034) 
• Routing Clerk (222.687-022) 
• Ship Runner (222.567-014) 
• Shipping and Receiving Clerk (222.387-050) 
• Shipping Checker (222.687-030) 
• Shipping-order Clerk (219.367-030) 
• Traffic Clerk (214.587-014) 
• Truckload Checker (222.367-066) 
• Vault Worker (222.587-058) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Conventional/Realistic/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Clerical