International Freight Forwarding Apprentice (Air & Sea)

DSV AIR & SEA LIMITED

Purfleet-On-Thames (RM19 1NX)

Closes on Friday 30 January 2026

Posted on 9 December 2025

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Summary

This role manages end-to-end international freight processes, ensures accurate documentation and customs compliance, monitors global shipments, maintains real-time consignment visibility, supports customers, resolves issues quickly, and handles quotations, invoicing, and admin tasks.

• Wage:

  £14,778 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Start:£8.12 per hour

  After 6 months: £9.20 per hour

  After 12 months: £10.25 per hour (below 21 years old) or £12.21 per hour (over 21 years old)

• Training course: International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)
• Hours: Monday to Friday.

  35 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 2 February 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 6 months

• Positions available:

  1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

It takes a special kind of drive to keep the world moving, and due to growth, DSV is looking to recruit. Please see the links* at the bottom of the page to find out more about DSV.

Are you ready to kick-start your journey into the world of Freight Forwarding? DSV are recruiting for a Freight Forwarder in London. Join our dynamic team and embark on an exciting apprenticeship designed to shape you into a skilled and accomplished Freight Forwarder.

As an International Freight Forwarding Apprentice, you'll delve deep into the core components of this thriving industry. Through our industry-recognised apprenticeship program, you'll gain invaluable hands-on experience, equipping yourself with the knowledge and practical expertise needed to excel in the field.

Find below the tasks and responsibilities you’ll undertake to garner the expertise to seamlessly navigate the intricate landscape of Freight Forwarding.

Key Tasks

• Mastering import/export processes and cross-trade bookings
• Engaging in seamless communication with our extensive network and carrier partners across the globe
• Championing the meticulous checking and issuance of vital documentation, including master bills, house bills of lading and ensuring compliance with import/export customs regulations
• Taking charge of monitoring international air freight shipments from inception to delivery, ensuring precision and timely arrivals at designated destinations
• Maintaining real-time visibility on customer consignments, guaranteeing adherence to service level and operational protocols

Duties / Responsibilities

• Spearheading customer notifications and swiftly resolving challenges, exemplifying our commitment to great customer experiences
• Nurturing revenue streams in alignment with budgetary targets, handling quotations, invoicing, and supplier purchase orders with finesse
• Undertaking general administrative duties, supporting our processes that make it easy for our customers to do business with us

 

Where you'll work

Gateway House
Stonehouse Lane
Purfleet-On-Thames
RM19 1NX

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SR APPRENTICESHIPS LIMITED

Training course

International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Select freight forwarding services based on customer requirements, taking into account country specific factors, delivery times and modes.
• Use generic or bespoke ICT systems in order to enter and monitor data on importing or exporting goods.
• Book, plan and monitor international shipments, using manual or ICT systems, in accordance with the rules and regulations that apply to that area of the world and to the goods consigned.
• Prepare a customs declaration to a national standard, or give custom clearance instructions to a third party.
• Use data systems to submit the information required by customs authorities as part of the management of the international movement of goods.
• Produce freight costings and invoices in line with Incoterms, customer profile or sales contract.
• Identify and source data from customers, systems or colleagues.
• Identify and resolve problems in line with responsibilities.
• Create and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Adapt communication based on the situation and the audience.
• Identify problems outside of limits of responsibility and escalate within company policy.
• Communicate in writing, preparing communications on technical matters.
• Communicate with others verbally, including internal and external customers.
• Air. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the air freight industry.
• Air. Select and use documentation appropriate to the air freight industry.
• Ocean. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the ocean freight industry.
• Ocean. Select and use documentation appropriate to the ocean freight industry.
• Road. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the road freight industry.
• Road. Select and use documentation appropriate to the road freight industry.
• Select freight forwarding services based on customer requirements, taking into account country specific factors, delivery times and modes.
• Use generic or bespoke ICT systems in order to enter and monitor data on importing or exporting goods.
• Book, plan and monitor international shipments, using manual or ICT systems, in accordance with the rules and regulations that apply to that area of the world and to the goods consigned.
• Prepare a customs declaration to a national standard, or give custom clearance instructions to a third party.
• Use data systems to submit the information required by customs authorities as part of the management of the international movement of goods.
• Produce freight costings and invoices in line with Incoterms, customer profile or sales contract.
• Identify and source data from customers, systems or colleagues.
• Identify and resolve problems in line with responsibilities.
• Create and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Adapt communication based on the situation and the audience.
• Identify problems outside of limits of responsibility and escalate within company policy.
• Communicate in writing, preparing communications on technical matters.
• Communicate with others verbally, including internal and external customers.

Training schedule

On-the-job training.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade Pass)
• Maths (grade Pass)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Administrative skills
• Logical
• Team working

About this employer

DSV provides and manages supply chain solutions for thousands of companies every day.
 

Company benefits

Pension scheme 

After this apprenticeship

At DSV, we're not just offering an apprenticeship; we're offering an opportunity to be an integral part of our journey forward. Your dedication and commitment will contribute to our ongoing success while shaping your own flourishing career in Freight Forwarding.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SR APPRENTICESHIPS LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000004377.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 30 January 2026

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