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Freight Forwarding Resume Samples and Templates for 2025

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Freight Forwarder Resume Guide for India

A well-crafted freight forwarder resume is essential for success in India’s growing international trade and logistics sector. Whether you’re a fresher starting your career after completing a diploma in shipping or an experienced professional seeking growth at leading freight companies like DHL Global Forwarding, Kuehne+Nagel, Allcargo, or Jeena & Company, this guide provides everything you need to create a standout resume.

This comprehensive guide includes:

Resume format recommendations for India
Key skills Indian freight employers look for
Complete resume example with Indian context
Top freight forwarding employers in India
Salary insights in INR by experience level
Certification guidance
ATS optimization tips for Indian job portals

Why Your Freight Forwarder Resume Matters in India

India’s freight forwarding industry is growing rapidly with increasing international trade. Companies like DHL Global Forwarding, Kuehne+Nagel, Allcargo Logistics, Jeena & Company, DB Schenker, and Freight Systems actively hire skilled freight professionals. A strong resume helps you:

Stand out from thousands of applicants on Naukri and LinkedIn
Pass ATS screening used by multinational freight companies
Showcase skills that Indian employers value, including customs knowledge and trade compliance
Demonstrate your expertise in air, sea, and multimodal freight operations

Indian freight recruiters value customs expertise, carrier relationships, and documentation accuracy. Your freight forwarder resume must immediately communicate your shipping experience, customs clearance knowledge, and ability to handle international trade complexities.

Freight Forwarder Resume Format for India

Indian employers prefer clean, professional resume formats. Here’s what works best:

Recommended Format

Length: 1-2 pages (freshers: 1 page, experienced: 2 pages max)
Layout: Reverse chronological (most recent first)
Font: Clean fonts like Calibri or Arial (11-12pt)
Sections: Contact, Summary, Skills, Experience, Education, Certifications

Professional Presentation

Your resume should reflect the precision and attention to detail expected in freight forwarding.

Personal Details for Indian Freight Forwarder Resumes

Include:

Full name
Phone number with country code (+91)
Professional email address
LinkedIn profile URL
City, State (full address not required)

What to Avoid

Complex formatting
Personal information like religion or caste
Salary expectations
References (provide when requested)

Key Skills for Freight Forwarders in India

Indian freight forwarding employers look for specific trade and logistics capabilities.

Core Freight Forwarding Skills

Air Freight: Import/export operations, IATA regulations
Sea Freight: FCL/LCL operations, shipping documentation
Customs Clearance: Import/export customs, duty calculation
Documentation: Bill of Lading, Air Waybill, commercial invoices
Carrier Management: Rate negotiations, space booking
Trade Compliance: DGFT regulations, export incentives
Project Cargo: ODC, heavy lift logistics

Technical Skills

Freight forwarding software (CargoWise, Logi-Sys)
SAP Transportation Management
ICEGATE (Indian Customs portal)
E-way bill and GST compliance
Shipping line portals
Track and trace systems
Microsoft Excel (advanced)

Trade Knowledge

Indian customs regulations and procedures
DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) policies
Incoterms 2020
Letter of Credit documentation
Free Trade Agreements
SEZ/FTWZ regulations
Export incentive schemes (RoDTEP, MEIS)

Soft Skills Valued

Attention to Detail: Documentation accuracy
Negotiation: Carrier rate negotiations
Problem-Solving: Shipment disruptions
Communication: Client and vendor coordination
Time Management: Meeting vessel/flight deadlines

How to Present Skills

List trade lanes and cargo types handled prominently. Mention specific software and systems used. Include customs expertise.

Freight Forwarder Resume Example for India

Here’s a complete resume example tailored for Indian employers:

Amit Sharma

Mumbai, Maharashtra | +91-98XXX-XXXXX | amit.freight@email.com | linkedin.com/in/amitsharma

Professional Summary

Experienced Freight Forwarder with 7+ years in air and sea freight operations handling imports and exports across major trade lanes. Currently managing freight operations worth $50 million annually at leading multinational forwarder. Expertise in customs clearance, documentation, and trade compliance with zero shipment delays in 3 years. IATA certified with strong relationships with major carriers and customs authorities.

Key Skills

Professional Experience

Senior Executive – Freight Operations | DHL Global Forwarding | Mumbai | April 2020 – Present

Handle air and sea freight operations worth $50 million annually
Manage import/export for Fortune 500 clients across automotive, pharma, and electronics
Coordinate with 30+ shipping lines and airlines for competitive rates
Ensure 100% documentation accuracy for customs clearance
Achieve zero shipment delays through proactive tracking and coordination
Negotiate rates saving 15% on freight costs for key accounts
Handle project cargo and ODC shipments up to 200 MT
Train junior staff on freight operations and documentation

Trade Lanes Managed:

Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, ASEAN)
Europe (Germany, Netherlands, UK)
Americas (USA, Brazil)
Middle East and Africa

Executive – Freight Forwarding | Kuehne+Nagel | Mumbai | June 2017 – March 2020

Managed sea freight FCL/LCL operations
Coordinated with CFS and port authorities at JNPT
Handled customs documentation for import consignments
Achieved 99% on-time delivery for critical shipments
Processed 200+ shipments per month
Built strong carrier relationships

Trainee – Shipping | Jeena & Company | Mumbai | July 2015 – May 2017

Started career learning freight forwarding fundamentals
Assisted with customs documentation
Tracked shipments and updated clients
Learned air and sea freight operations
Gained ICEGATE system proficiency

Education

Post Graduate Diploma in Shipping & Logistics | NMIMS Mumbai | 2015

1-year full-time program
Specialization: Freight Management

Bachelor of Commerce | Mumbai University | 2014

First Class
Specialization: International Trade

Certifications

IATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding | IATA | 2018
Customs Clearance Certification | FFFAI | 2019
Dangerous Goods Handling | IATA DGR | 2020
Cargowise Certified Specialist | WiseTech | 2021
GST Practitioner Certificate | 2017

Trade Compliance Expertise

Customs: ICEGATE, duty calculation, tariff classification
DGFT: Import/Export licensing, MEIS, RoDTEP
Documentation: Bill of Lading, AWB, Certificate of Origin
Incoterms: FOB, CIF, DDP, EXW expertise
LC Documentation: Letter of Credit compliance

Operations Metrics

Annual Freight Value: $50 million
Monthly Shipments: 300+ (air and sea)
Trade Lanes: 40+ countries
On-Time Delivery: 99.5%
Documentation Accuracy: 100%
Cost Savings Achieved: 15%

Software Proficiency

CargoWise One (Advanced)
Logi-Sys Freight ERP
ICEGATE Portal
Shipping Line Portals (Maersk, MSC, CMA)
SAP TM basics
Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot)

Languages

Hindi (Native) | English (Fluent) | Marathi (Native) | Gujarati (Conversational)

Declaration

I hereby declare that the information provided above is true to the best of my knowledge.

Amit Sharma Mumbai, December 2024

Top Freight Forwarding Employers in India

India’s freight industry offers excellent opportunities:

Global Freight Forwarders

DHL Global Forwarding: Market leader
Kuehne+Nagel: Swiss logistics giant
DB Schenker: German forwarder
DSV Panalpina: Global network
C.H. Robinson: American logistics

Indian Freight Companies

Allcargo Logistics: India’s largest
Jeena & Company: Heritage forwarder
Freight Systems: Container specialist
Sical Logistics: Multimodal operator
TCI Express: Express cargo

Shipping Lines (In-house)

Maersk India: Largest shipping line
CMA CGM India: French shipping
MSC India: Swiss-Italian line
Hapag-Lloyd India: German carrier

Customs House Agents

Multiple CHAs: Pan-India presence
Airport/Seaport specialists: Location-specific

How to Apply

Apply through company career pages
Use Naukri and LinkedIn
Network at trade events (India Cargo Awards)
FFFAI placements
Industry referrals

Freight Forwarder Salary in India

Salaries vary based on experience, company type, and location.

Salary by Experience Level

Experience	Monthly Salary (INR)
Fresher/Trainee (0-2 years)	₹15,000 - ₹30,000
Executive (2-5 years)	₹30,000 - ₹55,000
Senior Executive (5-8 years)	₹55,000 - ₹85,000
Manager (8-12 years)	₹85,000 - ₹1,40,000
Head/Director (12+ years)	₹1,40,000 - ₹3,00,000+

Note: MNCs pay higher than Indian companies; port cities pay more.

Salary by City

City	Salary Range (Experienced)
Mumbai	₹50,000 - ₹90,000/month
Chennai	₹45,000 - ₹80,000/month
Delhi NCR	₹45,000 - ₹80,000/month
Bangalore	₹40,000 - ₹75,000/month
Kolkata	₹35,000 - ₹65,000/month
Ahmedabad	₹35,000 - ₹65,000/month

Additional Benefits

Incentives: Based on business development
Travel Allowance: For port/airport visits
Medical Insurance: At MNCs
Performance Bonus: Annual
Training: Certification sponsorship

Factors Affecting Salary

Company Type: MNCs pay more than local forwarders
Trade Lane: High-value lanes pay more
Cargo Type: Project/ODC specialists earn premium
Certifications: IATA/FIATA adds value

Salary data based on Glassdoor India, AmbitionBox, and industry surveys.

Certifications for Freight Forwarders

Professional certifications boost career prospects.

Essential Certifications

IATA/FIATA Diploma: International recognition
FFFAI Certification: Indian freight forwarding
Customs Broker License: For customs specialization
Dangerous Goods: IATA DGR certification
CargoWise Certification: Software expertise

Recommended Courses

Diploma in Shipping & Logistics (NMIMS, IMT)
PGDM International Business
Certificate in Customs (NACEN)
Export-Import Management
Supply Chain Management

Educational Background

B.Com/BBA: With international trade focus
MBA Logistics: For management roles
Diploma Shipping: Industry-specific
Any graduate: With relevant experience

How to List Certifications

Include certification name, issuing body, and year. IATA and FIATA certifications are highly valued. Mention DG certification if applicable.

ATS Tips for Your Freight Forwarder Resume

Freight companies use Applicant Tracking Systems:

For Naukri.com

Use keywords from job description (freight, customs, shipping)
Keep formatting simple
Use standard section headings
Upload in .docx or .pdf format

For LinkedIn Applications

Match resume to LinkedIn profile
Use industry-standard job titles
Include trade lanes prominently
Get endorsements from colleagues

General ATS Tips

DO: Use clean fonts, clear headings, bullet points
DO: Include exact keywords (air freight, sea freight, customs, documentation)
DO: List specific metrics and trade lanes
DON’T: Use headers/footers, text boxes, or graphics
DON’T: Use creative section titles

Keyword Strategy

Common keywords include:

Freight forwarder, shipping, logistics
Air freight, sea freight, FCL, LCL
Customs clearance, documentation, Bill of Lading
ICEGATE, DGFT, Incoterms
CargoWise, import, export

Final Tips for Your Freight Forwarder Resume

✅ Show trade lanes: Countries and regions handled

✅ Include cargo types: FCL, LCL, air, project cargo

✅ Mention freight value: Annual shipment value

✅ Show documentation expertise: Bill of Lading, AWB

✅ List customs knowledge: ICEGATE, tariff classification

✅ Include certifications: IATA, FIATA credentials

Quick Checklist

Contact information with +91 phone number and LinkedIn
Professional summary highlights freight experience
Skills section includes air/sea freight and customs
Experience shows trade lanes and shipment volumes
Education includes shipping/logistics background
IATA/FIATA certifications listed
Metrics prominently displayed
Formatting is clean and ATS-friendly
Length is appropriate (1-2 pages)

Ready to create your professional freight forwarder resume? Use our resume builder to get started with templates optimized for shipping roles.

Looking for more guidance? Check out our resume format guide for additional tips on structuring your freight forwarding resume for the Indian job market.

Freight Forwarding Text-Only Resume Templates and Samples

Arvind Rawat

Phone: 09876548765

Email: arvind@abc.com

Address: Alpha1 greater noida, Beta 2 greater noida, Noida

About Me

Freight Forwarding

Motivated and enthusiastic freight forwarding coordinator with XX years of experience in air transport for urgent and high-value freight. Adept in arranging appropriate packing, taking into account the climate, terrain, weight, cost, and nature of goods and also the delivery and warehousing of goods at their final destination. Possesses strong networking and customer relationship management skills and is looking forward to showcasing my skills at your company.Deft in arranging appropriate packing, taking into account the climate, terrain, weight, cost, and nature of goods and also the delivery and warehousing of goods at their final destination; arranging insurance and assisting the client in the event of a claim
Adept in obtaining, checking, and preparing documentation to meet customs and insurance requirements, packing specifications, and compliance with other countries' regulations and fiscal regimes; arranging payment of freight and other charges or collection of payment on behalf of the client
Involved in offering consolidation services by air, sea, and road, ensuring cost-effective and secure solutions to small shippers who have insufficient cargo to require their dedicated units; utilizing e-commerce, internet technology, and satellite systems to enable real-time tracking of goods
Skilled in arranging air transport for urgent and high-value freight and managing the risk door-to-door; acting as a broker in customs negotiations worldwide to guide the freight efficiently through complex procedures; arranging courier and specialist hand-carry services
Professional skills to coordinate functions and lead team members; strong negotiating power and management capabilities; effective networking and customer relationship management skills; business policy and strategic handling of matters; expertise in shipping and logistics management services

Education

Economics and Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration, Completed, August 2014

Hindu College

Delhi University

Delhi,

Certifications

Certified Freight Forwarder, Completed , January 2018

Work Experience

Period: May 2014 - Current

Freight Forwarding

SM/AM - Logistics

Noida, UP

Provided accurate and timely reporting of information to customers including sending quotations, pricing, costing, shipping details, and supply chain-related documentation.
Worked with the Operations team and suppliers to ensure customers’ expectations are met and exceeded.
Took a lead operational role for different clients; arranged shipments for new or one-off clients.
Used freight forwarding IT systems to process job files, manage customers’ shipments and ensure margin objectives per activity are met; ensure compliance with all policies, procedures, and standard operating practices.
Built and maintained effective relationships with customers, suppliers, and team members.
Arranged for picking up of goods and materials from the client's location.
Counted, and labeled boxes to be shipped and entered details into the computer system.
Perform minor repairs on the hand-held scanner, forklift, and other equipment.

Period: July 2005 - February 2013

Consolidator

Sundaraanesh Freights Pvt.

Noida, UP

Carried out troubleshooting and finding solutions; produced rates and processed bookings on to computer system.
Co-operated with other teams to ensure cost/revenue are processed accurately and on time.
Established effective communications with clients and overseas offices.
Created new files for shipments prior to arrival; participated in periodic operational reviews with the client.
Noted down customer entries and invoices; liaised with Shipping lines.
Updating custom entries; ensuring strong communications with clients.
Executed multi-modal freight management services (sea/air/road) for imports and exports.
Maximized revenue, contain cost; maintained internal service level.