Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks
Verify and maintain records on incoming and outgoing shipments. Prepare items for shipment. Duties include assembling, addressing, stamping, and shipping merchandise or material; receiving, unpacking, verifying and recording incoming merchandise or material; and arranging for the transportation of products.
How AI Impacts Each Task
11 tasks analyzed
Examine shipment contents and compare with records, such as manifests, invoices, or orders, to verify accuracy.
Record shipment data, such as weight, charges, space availability, damages, or discrepancies, for reporting, accounting, or recordkeeping purposes.
Prepare documents, such as work orders, bills of lading, or shipping orders, to route materials.
Confer or correspond with establishment representatives to rectify problems, such as damages, shortages, or nonconformance to specifications.
Pack, seal, label, or affix postage to prepare materials for shipping, using hand tools, power tools, or postage meter.
Contact carrier representatives to make arrangements or to issue instructions for shipping and delivery of materials.
Deliver or route materials to departments using handtruck, conveyor, or sorting bins.
Requisition and store shipping materials and supplies to maintain inventory of stock.
Determine shipping methods, routes, or rates for materials to be shipped.
Compute amounts, such as space available, shipping, storage, or demurrage charges, using computer or price list.
Compare shipping routes or methods to determine which have the least environmental impact.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examine shipment contents and compare with records, such as manifests, invoices, or orders, to verify accuracy. | 72Estimated | 78.0% | 15% | |
| Record shipment data, such as weight, charges, space availability, damages, or discrepancies, for reporting, accounting, or recordkeeping purposes. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 15% | |
| Prepare documents, such as work orders, bills of lading, or shipping orders, to route materials. | 59.03Observed | 72.8% | 12% | |
| Confer or correspond with establishment representatives to rectify problems, such as damages, shortages, or nonconformance to specifications. | 40Estimated | 31.0% | 10% | |
| Pack, seal, label, or affix postage to prepare materials for shipping, using hand tools, power tools, or postage meter. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 12% | |
| Contact carrier representatives to make arrangements or to issue instructions for shipping and delivery of materials. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 8% | |
| Deliver or route materials to departments using handtruck, conveyor, or sorting bins. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 10% | |
| Requisition and store shipping materials and supplies to maintain inventory of stock. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 6% | |
| Determine shipping methods, routes, or rates for materials to be shipped. | 47.62Observed | 68.3% | 6% | |
| Compute amounts, such as space available, shipping, storage, or demurrage charges, using computer or price list. | 100Estimated | 89.2% | 4% | |
| Compare shipping routes or methods to determine which have the least environmental impact. | 80Estimated | 59.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Related News
Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation
Global Shipping Faces Talent Crisis, Accelerating Push for Automation
Shipowners are struggling to sustain the 2 million workers needed to crew the global commercial fleet. This mounting demographic crisis in logistics is creating massive pressure to automate supply chain operations.
AI Agents Move From Experimentation to Everyday Freight Operations
A new joint report from FreightWaves and Trimble reveals that AI is actively taking over repetitive supply chain tasks and operational decision-making. Logistics companies are rapidly shifting from testing AI to full deployment.
New Computer Vision Startup Automates Manual Freight Measurement
Y Combinator startup Transload is deploying computer vision to automatically measure freight items using standard security cameras. This threatens to eliminate the manual data entry and physical measurement roles traditionally required in warehouses.
UPS looks to cut up to 30,000 jobs in 2026
The logistics giant is planning a massive workforce reduction of up to 30,000 employees by 2026. This signals a major operational shift as delivery networks increasingly rely on automation and AI-driven logistics to cut overhead costs.
Walmart uses automation to streamline supplier shipping
Vendors prepaying for Walmart's shipping services will now have their freight consolidated by automated systems. This logistics shift signals a reduced need for manual freight coordination and routing roles.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis