Importer/Exporter

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Work Tasks

• Buy goods from other countries and sell U.S. goods abroad
• Get the best quality items for the lowest price possible
• Study sales records and watch for changes which may affect the supply or demand of an item
• May need to speak the language of the country from which they buy and sell items
• Work in offices in the U.S. or in other countries and may go to fashion and trade shows
• Work with goods from their own and other countries, samples, catalogs, customs rules, sales and office forms

Salary, Size & Growth

• $60,000 average per year ($28.75 per hour)
• A medium occupation (108,200 workers in 2010)
• Expected to decline (0.2% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A high school diploma
• Employers Prefer: A 4-year degree in business, economics, or a technical field, such as engineering or one of the applied sciences
• Skills/Courses: Need to know how to get products through U.S. Customs, financing, shipping, product details for the type of items imported/exported, and how to speak the language of the relevant country or countries.