Services Transport, Operations and Logistics

Routine Freight Forwarding Processes and Procedures Training

SAQA US 252386 | NQF 2 | Credits 12 | Duration 9 Days
From $1,798 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the practical skills and knowledge required to execute routine freight forwarding processes and procedures. It covers core operational tasks such as documentation, customs compliance, and coordination with carriers to ensure efficient and compliant international and domestic freight movements.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply standard operating procedures for processing export and import documentation.
  • Demonstrate correct procedures for coordinating freight bookings with carriers and agents.
  • Analyze shipping instructions and bills of lading to ensure accuracy and compliance.
  • Implement customs clearance processes including classification and duty calculation.
  • Evaluate shipment tracking data and resolve routine discrepancies.
  • Communicate effectively with stakeholders to facilitate smooth freight movements.

Target Audience

This course is designed for entry-level freight forwarding clerks, logistics administrators, and operations assistants who are new to the freight forwarding industry or seeking to formalize their practical experience.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Freight Forwarding

Objectives:
• Define freight forwarding and its role in international trade
• Identify key stakeholders in the supply chain
• Understand basic Incoterms and their application
• Describe the regulatory environment in South Africa
• Explain the importance of documentation

Topics:
• Overview of freight forwarding industry
• The supply chain and logistics ecosystem
• Introduction to Incoterms 2020
• South African customs and trade regulations
• Basic documentation: bill of lading, invoice, packing list

Day 2: Import and Export Procedures

Objectives:
• Outline import and export processes step-by-step
• Identify required permits and licenses
• Understand customs clearance procedures
• Calculate duties and taxes using HS codes
• Recognize common compliance pitfalls

Topics:
• Import process flow
• Export process flow
• Permits and licenses (e.g., DAFF, ITAC)
• Customs clearance and SARS requirements
• HS tariff classification and duty calculation
• Compliance and risk management

Day 3: Documentation and Data Management

Objectives:
• Complete key shipping documents accurately
• Manage data entry in freight management systems
• Verify document compliance with regulations
• Identify discrepancies and corrective actions
• Apply document retention policies

Topics:
• Bill of lading (B/L) and air waybill (AWB)
• Commercial invoice and packing list
• Certificate of origin and other certificates
• Data entry in freight software (e.g., CargoWise)
• Document checking and correction procedures
• Electronic document submission (e.g., SARS e-filing)

Day 4: Modes of Transport and Routing

Objectives:
• Compare sea, air, road, and rail freight modes
• Select optimal routing based on cost and time
• Understand container types and cargo stowage
• Plan multimodal transport solutions
• Evaluate carrier services and schedules

Topics:
• Sea freight: FCL, LCL, container specifications
• Air freight: consolidation, volumetric weight
• Road and rail freight in Southern Africa
• Multimodal transport and intermodal containers
• Routing optimization and carrier selection
• Cargo stowage and securing

Day 5: Pricing, Quotations, and Costing

Objectives:
• Calculate freight charges and surcharges
• Prepare competitive quotations
• Apply Incoterms to pricing structures
• Understand currency exchange and hedging
• Manage profit margins and cost controls

Topics:
• Freight rates and tariff structures
• Surcharges: BAF, CAF, peak season
• Quotation preparation and negotiation
• Incoterms and cost allocation
• Currency exchange and risk management
• Costing and profitability analysis

Day 6: Customs Compliance and Risk Management

Objectives:
• Understand customs valuation methods
• Conduct risk assessments for shipments
• Implement compliance checks
• Manage customs audits and penalties
• Apply trade agreements (e.g., SADC, AfCFTA)

Topics:
• Customs valuation (transaction value, deductive)
• Risk assessment frameworks
• Compliance checks and internal controls
• Customs audits and penalty avoidance
• Preferential trade agreements and rules of origin
• Sanctions and restricted goods

Day 7: Customer Service and Communication

Objectives:
• Communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders
• Handle inquiries and complaints professionally
• Provide shipment tracking updates
• Manage expectations and service level agreements
• Build long-term customer relationships

Topics:
• Professional communication skills
• Client inquiry handling
• Complaint resolution procedures
• Shipment tracking and status reporting
• Service level agreements (SLAs)
• Relationship management and retention

Day 8: Technology and Systems in Freight Forwarding

Objectives:
• Use freight management systems (FMS) effectively
• Implement electronic data interchange (EDI)
• Understand blockchain and IoT in logistics
• Utilize tracking and visibility tools
• Apply data analytics for process improvement

Topics:
• Freight management systems (e.g., CargoWise, Logitude)
• Electronic data interchange (EDI) standards
• Blockchain for documentation and transparency
• IoT for cargo monitoring
• Tracking portals and visibility
• Data analytics and reporting

Day 9: Integration, Case Studies, and Assessment

Objectives:
• Integrate all processes into a coherent workflow
• Analyze real-world case studies
• Complete a comprehensive practical exercise
• Prepare for the final assessment
• Demonstrate competence in routine forwarding

Topics:
• End-to-end process integration
• Case studies: import/export scenarios
• Practical exercise: process a shipment
• Review of key concepts
• Final assessment preparation
• Assessment and feedback

Practicals

24 hours of practicals To be conducted online or on-campus or in-house
Overview

Practical sessions reinforce theoretical knowledge through hands-on exercises in documentation, system use, and process simulation. Learners apply skills in a controlled environment to build confidence and competence.

Practical Activities
  • Documentation Completion — Learners complete bill of lading, air waybill, commercial invoice, and packing list for sample shipments. (6h)
  • System Data Entry — Learners enter shipment data into a simulated freight management system and generate reports. (6h)
  • Customs Clearance Simulation — Learners simulate customs clearance using sample documentation, classify HS codes, and calculate duties. (6h)
  • End-to-End Process Exercise — Learners process a complete shipment from quotation to delivery, including documentation, customs, and customer communication. (6h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored) 100% 30%
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 50%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Practicals 30% + Daily Average 20% + Final Test 50%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
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Tue 08 Sep 2026 Fri 18 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,798 Register
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Thu 30 Dec 2027 Tue 11 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,798 Register
Wed 19 Jan 2028 Mon 31 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,798 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 497 sessions across 26 venues
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Tue 04 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Cape Town, South Africa Winter 2026 $4,455 Register
Wed 05 Aug 2026 Mon 17 Aug 2026 Dubai, UAE Winter 2026 $6,615 Register
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Fri 07 Aug 2026 Wed 19 Aug 2026 Johannesburg, South Africa Winter 2026 $3,969 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Wed 16 Sep 2026 Mon 28 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,338 Register
Tue 06 Oct 2026 Fri 16 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,338 Register
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Fri 22 Jan 2027 Wed 03 Feb 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $2,338 Register
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Tue 16 Mar 2027 Fri 26 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $2,338 Register
Mon 22 Mar 2027 Thu 01 Apr 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $2,338 Register
Fri 18 Jun 2027 Wed 30 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,338 Register
Thu 08 Jul 2027 Tue 20 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,338 Register
Wed 28 Jul 2027 Mon 09 Aug 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,338 Register
Tue 14 Sep 2027 Fri 24 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,338 Register
Mon 04 Oct 2027 Thu 14 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,338 Register
Fri 29 Oct 2027 Wed 10 Nov 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,338 Register
Mon 13 Dec 2027 Thu 23 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,338 Register
Fri 07 Jan 2028 Wed 19 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,338 Register
Thu 27 Jan 2028 Tue 08 Feb 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,338 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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