3542 Importers and exporters

In short

• ONS unit group 3542, in minor group 354 (Business associate professionals) and major group 3 (Associate professional occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Transitional tables only: Table 1a, Table 2aa.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1a, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £35,700 (£18.31 per hour)
  • Table 2aa, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £29,800 (£15.28 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Importers and exporters buy commodities from overseas for the home market and sell home-produced commodities to overseas markets.

Typical entry routes

Entry does not depend on academic qualifications although some employers require candidates to have a degree or equivalent qualification. Some posts require candidates to have knowledge of a foreign language. Professional qualifications are available. Entrance to professional examinations requires GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades or equivalent qualifications.

Tasks

• investigates and evaluates home and overseas demand for commodities
• obtains orders from buyers and arranges payment by bill of exchange, letter of credit or other means
• arranges for shipment of commodities overseas and ensures that insurance and export licences are in order
• carries out customs clearance procedures for imports, arranges their storage and delivery and sells them personally or through a commodity broker
• advises home and overseas producers on the likely future demand for their goods

Related job titles

• Export coordinator
• Exporter
• Import agent
• Importer
• Shipping agent

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

3542 Importers and exporters

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Importers and exporters

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£35,700 (£18.31 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 2aa: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

3542 Importers and exporters

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

3536

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Importers and exporters

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£29,800 (£15.28 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 354

• 3541 Estimators, valuers and assessors
• 3543 Project support officers
• 3544 Data analysts
• 3549 Business associate professionals n.e.c.

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

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