Real Hiring Cases of International Students in Logistics & Transportation Jobs
What Kind of Roles Are Available and Who’s Getting Hired?
Introduction
Think logistics is just warehouses and trucks? Think again.
Korea’s logistics and transportation industries are rapidly globalizing—thanks to e-commerce, export-oriented trade, and cross-border delivery networks. This growth is creating new job opportunities for foreigners, especially those who speak multiple languages or have cross-cultural business skills.
This post shares:
- The types of roles international students are getting
- Real company examples
- What skills are in demand
- How you can prepare for similar jobs
Where Are International Students Getting Hired?
| Company Type | Examples | Why They Hire Foreigners |
|---|---|---|
| Global logistics companies | DHL Korea, DB Schenker, FedEx, UPS | For global coordination & translation |
| Korean trading firms | CJ Logistics, Lotte Global Logistics | For export/import, market expansion |
| Freight forwarding & shipping | Panalpina, Kuehne+Nagel, Hanjin | To manage multilingual shipping lines |
| E-commerce fulfillment centers | Coupang, Amazon Korea, iHerb, SSG | To handle foreign supplier interactions |
| Airport/port-based operations | Incheon Airport Logistics, Busan Port | For international terminal services |
Common Job Roles for Foreigners
1. Logistics Coordinator
- Tracks shipments and communicates with overseas clients or suppliers
- Requires strong Excel + basic Korean + English
2. Import/Export Assistant
- Prepares customs documents and arranges schedules
- Multilingual abilities are key
3. Operations Support
- Handles communication between truckers, warehouses, and dispatchers
- Some roles may include night shifts or rotating hours
4. Customer Service for Global Clients
- Answering international emails/calls about deliveries or returns
- Often in English, sometimes in native language (e.g., Chinese, Vietnamese)
Real Case Example
Case 1: Vietnamese student at a freight forwarding firm (Incheon)
- Hired as Import Documentation Assistant
- Used Vietnamese/Korean to manage seafood import clearance
- Learned HS codes and customs software
- Later converted to D-10 → E-7 visa
- Worked on WMS (Warehouse Management System) UX QA
- Supported rollout of mobile scanning app
- Had prior computer science background
What Skills Do These Roles Require?
| Skill | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Intermediate Korean (TOPIK 3+) | For handling domestic calls and team communication |
| MS Excel / ERP Systems | For inventory, shipment, and tracking work |
| Strong Email & Report Writing | To handle documentation in English/Korean |
| Attention to Detail | Small mistakes = huge delays in logistics |
| Cultural Understanding | For smooth international coordination |
Visa Considerations
- Many start with part-time, internship, or D-10 visa
- Some companies will support E-7 if the role matches your degree
- Language and documentation experience can help with visa approval
Final Thoughts
Don’t overlook logistics as a career path—it’s fast-moving, global, and increasingly open to international talent.
If you’re organized, multilingual, and detail-oriented, this field might be your ticket to building a real career in Korea.
Next Post:
“Most Frequently Asked Questions When Extending Your Korean Visa”
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