Air Freight Export Operator - Export & Customs Coordinator

Location: Heathrow area, West London

Industry: Freight Forwarding / Logistics

Salary: £28,000 - £33,000 per annum

About the Company

Our client is a long-established, privately owned freight forwarding and logistics business based in the Heathrow area.

With several decades of experience in international transport, they provide end-to-end air, sea and road solutions plus warehousing and customs services for a broad range of customers.

They operate as part of a small, specialist group with strong trade lanes to key global markets and hold recognised accreditations that reflect robust customs controls and a secure role in the international supply chain.

The Role - Air Freight Export Operator / Export & Customs Coordinator

Due to continued growth, the business is looking for an experienced Air Freight Export Operator to take ownership of day-to-day export operations, customs formalities and customer invoicing.

In this Air Freight Export Operator position, you will manage shipments from booking through to final delivery, ensuring that all documentation is correct, customs requirements are met, and customers are kept fully updated on their cargo.

This is a hands-on role in a busy environment where you will liaise closely with carriers, suppliers, customs brokers, finance and internal operations teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the export process for shipments, ensuring timely and efficient handling from booking to final delivery.
• Coordinate with suppliers, carriers, shipping lines and customs brokers to ensure correct clearance and on-time delivery.
• Prepare and review all import and export documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading/air waybills and certificates of origin.
• Ensure full compliance with UK customs regulations, international trade laws and internal procedures.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of customs requirements, duty rates and tariff codes, applying them correctly to each shipment.
• Handle the preparation and electronic submission of customs declarations and any other necessary documentation.
• Communicate proactively with customers to arrange final delivery, provide shipment updates and resolve any issues that arise.
• Track shipments, monitor transit performance and ensure that deliveries are made on time and within agreed budgets.
• Manage the invoicing process: preparing and issuing invoices, tracking payments, and dealing with any billing-related queries.
• Liaise with finance and accounts teams to ensure that invoicing, costings and payment processes are accurate and up to date.
• Work closely with internal teams (customer service, warehouse and transport) to ensure smooth coordination of import and export activities.
• Provide regular status updates to customers and internal stakeholders on cargo movements, exceptions and delivery timelines.

   

Skills & Experience Required

• Previous experience in freight forwarding, logistics or import/export operations (ideally 3+ years).
• Strong working knowledge of export and import documentation, customs procedures and international shipping practices.
• Confident user of shipping/forwarding software systems and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word).
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with customers, carriers and internal teams.
• Highly organised, with the ability to work under pressure, prioritise effectively and manage multiple shipments at the same time.
• Strong attention to detail and a proactive, problem-solving approach.
• Good understanding of international trade regulations and customs compliance; experience with tariff classification is highly desirable.
• Solid experience of invoicing and customer billing processes within a freight or logistics environment.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic setting where priorities can change quickly.

   

What's on Offer

• Salary in the region of £28,000 - £32,000 depending on experience.
• Opportunity to join a stable, well-established freight forwarder with a long track record in the market.
• Varied Air Freight Export Operator role with end-to-end involvement in export operations, customs and invoicing.
• Collaborative team environment with the chance to make a visible impact on service and customer satisfaction.

   

How to Apply

If you have the required freight forwarding and customs experience and are looking for your next step as an Air Freight Export Operator with a reputable forwarder in the Heathrow area, please apply with your CV or contact Karen / the Red Recruit team, quoting "Air Freight Export Operator - Heathrow area".

If  know someone suitable for the role of Air Freight Export Operator r please share this advert or send us their details. Successful referrals qualify for our generous candidate referral scheme.

Red Recruit specialise in freight and shipping recruitment, with opportunities across all levels. Not all roles are advertised, so feel free to send us your CV in confidence or call us directly.