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Working as an Importer or Exporter

Industry Overview

International trade is an important part of British Columbia’s economy. The province is ideally positioned to do business with many large global markets within the Asia-Pacific region and the United States.

In 2020, British Columbia exported C$ 39.9B, (the 4th largest exporter in Canada) and imported C$ 53.3B (the 3rd largest importer in Canada)

In 2020 the top export destinations of British Columbia were United States (C$ 22.1B), China (C$ 5.74B), Japan (C$ 3.57B), South Korea (C$ 2.13B), and India (C$ 962M). In 2020 the top import origins of British Columbia were United States (C$ 19B) and China (C$ 13.5B)

The import/export sector includes a wide range of industries and careers. You can find career opportunities in marketing, sales, brokerage, and management.

Import/export professionals are employed by a variety of firms such as trading houses, importers and exporters, manufacturers, customs brokers, freight forwarders and transportation providers.

Knowledge of more than one language can help you find employment.

Sources: Career Cruising, OEC Observatory of Economic Complexity - British Columbia

Job Outlook in BC

Sales Representative – Wholesale Trade (Non-Technical)
Including import and export sales representatives

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provicinal outlook for wholesale trade (non-technical) sales reps 2019-2029

Technical Sales Specialists – Wholesale Trade
Including import and export sales specialists

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job outlook for technical sales specialists - wholesale trade

 

You can learn more about working in the import/export industry in BC from:

 

Profile for ‘Importer / Exporter
Sales & Account Representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical); Technical Sales Specialists - wholesale trade

Types of Employers

Import/export professionals work for many types of businesses including:

  • Wholesalers
  • Manufacturers
  • Transportation companies
  • Import or export firms

You may also be self-employed.

Salary

In BC the median annual salary is:

  • $54,142 for sales representatives - wholesale trade
  • $50,138 for technical sales specialists – wholesale trade

Your salary depends on the type of product imported or exported, employer and experience.  An importer who is bringing in novelty items to sell in their own small store may not make much. One who is working for a large chain retailer such as Wal-Mart is likely to make a high salary.

Source: Career Cruising

Job Bank Canada provides hourly wages for Sales Representatives Wholesale Trade (non-technical) within BC regions:

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import export careers hourly wages noc6411


Source: Job Bank Canada

Job Bank Canada provides hourly wages for Technical Sales Specialists within BC region:

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import export careers hourly wages regions noc6221


Source: Job Bank Canada

Working Hours

You generally work a standard Monday to Friday work week. However, when dealing with people in different time zones you may have to work evenings or in some cases very early in the morning in order to speak to these people during their business hours.