Freight Forwarding Resume Samples and Templates for 2025

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:

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Amit Sharma

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

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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.

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Key Skills

Air Freight | Sea Freight | Customs Clearance | Bill of Lading | Documentation | ICEGATE | Carrier Management | DGFT Compliance | Incoterms | Rate Negotiation | CargoWise | Project Cargo

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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%

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Software Proficiency

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

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Languages

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

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Declaration

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

Amit Sharma Mumbai, December 2024

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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.