Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.
International freight forwarding includes services related to:
the importing of goods
the exporting of goods
the transiting of goods
The role and functions of an international freight forwarder include:
advising customers on and planning suitable modes of transport and the routing of international freight transport including booking space with carriers and making arrangements for pick up, carriage and delivery of the goods
applying an in-depth understanding of worldwide transport geography to international freight forwarding
liaising with a global network of related companies and agents and contacts in all major ports and cities on international freight forwarding matters
organising for the transport of special cargoes, special freight forwarding projects and dangerous goods
recognising, inspecting and following applicable regulatory requirements when any dangerous goods are offered for shipment
organising the consolidation of shipments
managing risk in international freight forwarding and for international freight transport including finding alternative routing in the event of contingencies
assisting in the organisation of suitable insurance arrangements
managing the documentation requirements for international freight and obtaining any unique certificates necessary to import and export goods
negotiating rates and contracts and ensuring that the sales contract negotiated between the international buyer and the seller is executed smoothly and efficiently
ensuring maintenance of billings, and accounts
applying a knowledge of the legalities and liabilities of key parties involved in international freight transportation and complying with the ethical standards of international freight forwarding
completing all calculations required in international freight forwarding
advising on and organising for the packaging, packing, labelling, documenting, loading stowage and storage of international freight
assisting in the clearance and release of international freight from customs or other detention
promoting and marketing the international freight forwarding business of the organisation concerned
tracking and tracing international freight shipments from door to door
providing quality customer service
communicating regularly with customers
Knowledge of global transportation and freight forwarding geography includes:
regulatory frameworks as they relate to the import and export of goods and related aspects of both international and domestic freight transport
regions, continents and the most important trading countries
the main flows of freight traffic world-wide, including sea, air, road, rail, inland waterways and multimodal transport
an understanding of key transport terminals, sea ports, airports etc.
physical and climatic conditions of international transport routes and destinations
times and time zones
geopolitical aspects of international freight transport
economic and trading situations and agreements
Knowledge of global transportation and freight forwarding geography covers regions such as:
Australasia
Southeast Asia
South Pacific
North America
Central America/West Indies
South America
Europe (Northern and Mediterranean)
Central Asia
East Asia/Indian Sub-Continent
The Middle East
Africa
Requirements for work may include:
freight forwarding protocols and procedures
compliance with relevant regulations
information and communication systems and equipment
workplace organisation
sales contracts
hours of operation
authorities and permits
Parameters of freight forwarding services relevant to customer requirements may include:
standard procedures for the international forwarding of freight
type of transport modes
various consignment methods
relevant regulations and legislative requirements
required import/export documentation and requirements
transport security requirements
insurance requirements
service costs
payment requirements and procedures
fiduciary and legal responsibilities of either party
Sources of information required to perform international freight forwarding functions may include:
websites of key international and Australian organisations such as FIATA, IMO, ICAO, IATA, CASA, AMSA, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, AQIS, government agencies responsible for transport security etc.
key reference publications such as Incoterms, FIATA forms and documents, ICC publications, and other manuals, texts and handbooks on freight forwarding, international trade and related topics etc.
Consultative processes may involve:
customers
a global network of international and domestic agents, regulatory authorities, carriers, suppliers, and other freight forwarding contacts
other employees and supervisors
freight forwarding specialists in areas such as dangerous goods, special cargoes etc.
management
other professional or technical staff
Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:
company procedures
enterprise procedures
organisational procedures
established procedures
Communications systems may involve:
face-to-face conversation
telephone including fixed, mobile and IP phones
fax
email
electronic data transfer of information (EDI)
mail
Information/documents may include but are not limited to:
Australian and international regulations and conventions relevant to the international transfer of freight
summaries and definitions of Incoterms and Combiterms
customers' instructions and transport requirements
workplace standard operating procedures and policies
operations manuals, job specifications and procedures and induction documentation
agents advice on available transport options, timetables, schedules and issues
standard FIATA forms and documentation such as:
a Negotiable Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (FB/L)
a Non-negotiable Multimodal Transport Waybill (FWB)
a Forwarders Certificate of Receipt (FCR)
a Forwarders Certificate of Transport (FCT)
a Forwarders Warehouse Receipt (FWR)
a Forwarders Forwarding Instructions (FFI)
a Shippers Declaration for the Transport of Dangerous Goods (SDT)
a Shippers Intermodal Weight Certification (SIWC)
an Original Bill of Lading (OB/L)
a Master Air Waybill (MAWB)
a House Bill of Lading (HBL)
a House Air Waybill (HAWB)
Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (MTB/L)
cargo manifests
pre-advice and pre-alert documents
operations manuals, job specifications and procedures and induction documentation
relevant Australian and international standards, criteria and certification requirements
data obtained through communications technology equipment and oral, aural or signed communications
freight forwarder company's quality assurance standards and procedures
emergency procedures
Applicable regulations and legislation may include:
Australian and international regulations, conventions and codes of practice for the international forwarding of freight
relevant regulations for the import and export of cargo
Australian and international standards and certification requirements
relevant regulations pertaining to international trading and financial transactions
relevant Australian and international environmental protection legislation

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of:
maintaining a current knowledge of the international freight forwarding industry through appropriate continuous professional development activities
interpreting and applying the required industry knowledge to the international freight forwarding role and functions
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
Resources for assessment include:
a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace
In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:
relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals
Method of assessment
Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
Practical assessment must occur:
through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace