How to become a shipper or receiver
Official title: Shippers and receivers
Also called: Shipper, Receiver, Stock receiver, Freight shipper, Produce shipper, Freight receiver, Shipper-receiver, Warehouse shipper, Warehouse receiver, Freight receiver clerk, Milk and cream receiver - food and beverage processing, Supercargo
Shippers and receivers ship, receive and record the movement of parts, supplies, materials, equipment and stock to and from an establishment. They are employed in the public sector and by retail and wholesale establishments, manufacturing companies, and other commercial and industrial establishments.
Main tasks
- Determine method of shipment and arrange shipping; prepare bills of lading, customs forms, invoices and other shipping documents manually or by computer
- Assemble containers and crates, record contents manually or by computer, pack goods to be shipped and affix identifying information and shipping instructions
- Oversee loading and unloading of goods from trucks or other conveyances
- Inspect and verify incoming goods against invoices or other documents, record shortages and reject damaged goods
- Unpack, code and route goods to appropriate storage areas
- Maintain internal, manual or computerized record-keeping systems
- May operate forklift, hand truck or other equipment to load, unload, transport and store goods
How to become one
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Experience in a related clerical occupation or as a warehouse worker may be required. A forklift certificate may be required. A driver's licence may be required.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $43,875 a year The middle half earn $38,025 to $50,700.
- About 114,600 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 119,000 are projected by 2033. (+3.8%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Storekeepers and partspersons
- Production logistics workers
- Purchasing and inventory control workers
- Dispatchers
- Transportation route and crew schedulers
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Questions people ask
How do I become a shipper or receiver?
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Experience in a related clerical occupation or as a warehouse worker may be required. A forklift certificate may be required. A driver's licence may be required.
How much does a shipper or receiver earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $43,875 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $38,025 to $50,700.
Is a shipper or receiver a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2033, from about 114,600 to about 119,000 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a shipper or receiver?
Usually not. Only 11% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03