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
AI automation becomes the backbone of supply chain execution
The 2026 State of Omnichannel Supply Chain Report shows a massive industry shift from testing AI to deploying it for real-time logistics execution. This transition threatens manual coordination roles while boosting demand for AI-fluent managers.
AI Productivity Firm Augment Targets Wholesale Distribution
The acquisition of stealth startup Merlin signals a major push to automate workflows in the wholesale distribution industry. This threatens to displace traditional administrative and logistics coordination roles.
AI coding agents are shipping bugs, creating new QA jobs
Anaconda's acquisition of Outerbounds highlights a growing problem: AI coding assistants are generating massive amounts of flawed code. This trend is shifting developer demand away from basic coding toward quality assurance.
UPS to Close 51 Facilities in Major Network Downsizing
The logistics giant is eliminating 51 parcel distribution centers this year to streamline its network and cut costs. The massive consolidation effort comes as the company reports lower profits despite beating analyst forecasts.
UPS automates package tracking with RFID, shifting supply chain skill needs
The logistics giant is replacing manual scanning with continuous sensor tracking across its entire network. This massive infrastructure upgrade reduces human error and shifts logistics work from manual data entry to real-time decision management.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis