Becoming an import-export assistant: duties, skills and career prospects

Updated on 2026-10-31

What does the job involve?

The import-export assistant manages the administrative and commercial side of a company's international trade. They follow up sales and purchases abroad, organise the shipping of goods and handle customs formalities.

It is an internationally minded job where English is part of everyday life. It suits people who are rigorous, curious about other cultures and enjoy coordinating many contacts: customers, suppliers, carriers and freight forwarders.

Day-to-day duties

In practice, the main duties are:

  • Preparing international offers and following them up
  • Processing orders and managing relations with foreign customers and suppliers
  • Coordinating international shipping operations
  • Handling transport and logistics disputes
  • Following up customs clearance formalities
  • Promoting the company's image and helping develop international sales
  • Building and updating sales dashboards

Skills and qualities sought

  • Professional English, written and spoken (B1 level minimum)
  • Rigour in handling sales, transport and customs documents
  • Organisational skills and the ability to anticipate
  • Good interpersonal and negotiation skills
  • Command of office tools and business software

Where can you work?

You can work in any organisation that buys or sells abroad:

  • SMEs and large manufacturing or distribution groups that export or import
  • international trading companies
  • freight forwarders, customs agents and logistics companies
  • purchasing centres

Career progression and further studies

The Import-Export Assistant professional qualification is at level 5, equivalent to two years of higher education. It opens up several career and study prospects:

  • Progression to logistics coordinator, international operations manager or import-export administrator
  • Possible specialisation in sea or air freight logistics
  • Further study: BTS Commerce international (Higher National Diploma in International Trade), BTS Transport et prestations logistiques (Higher National Diploma in Transport and Logistics Services), BUT Gestion logistique et transport (Bachelor of Technology in Logistics and Transport Management)

Salary

There is no single salary for this job: pay depends on your experience, the size of the company, the region and the applicable collective agreement. For reliable, up-to-date benchmarks, check the corresponding job sheets: France Travail job sheet (ROME D1401), France Travail job sheet (ROME M1101) and France Travail job sheet (ROME M1701).

Train with Assistant Academy

Assistant Academy prepares you for the Import-Export Assistant professional qualification (level 5, equivalent to two years of higher education), a certification recognised by the French State. The programme lasts 400 hours and can be followed remotely, in enhanced remote mode or on site at our premises in Gennevilliers. The course is eligible for CPF funding (France's personal training account).

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