Hiring and Sponsoring Transport and distribution clerks and assistants (SOC Code 4134)

Transport and Distribution Clerks and Assistants, classified under SOC Code 4134, are essential professionals who ensure the efficient movement of goods within the logistics and transportation sectors. Their responsibilities encompass a variety of tasks crucial for maintaining smooth operations, including:

• Processing Customer Orders: They are responsible for accurately handling and processing incoming customer orders.
• Document Management: They forward requisition documentation to storage and distribution personnel to facilitate timely delivery.
• Delivery Coordination: They formulate delivery loads, schedule vehicles, and plan routes to be followed by delivery staff, optimizing efficiency.
• Monitoring Compliance: They monitor tachograph readings and keep accurate records of hours worked and distances traveled by drivers to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Customs Clearance: They obtain customs clearance and process necessary import and export documentation, enabling the legal movement of goods between countries.
• Record Maintenance: They maintain detailed records regarding the movement and location of freight, containers, and staff, contributing to overall logistical efficiency.

With the continued growth of the transport and logistics industry, the demand for skilled transport and distribution clerks and assistants remains high. This guide aims to assist HR professionals in navigating the process of hiring and sponsoring these critical roles under the UK's immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Transport and distribution clerks and assistants?

SOC Code 4134 refers to Transport and Distribution Clerks and Assistants who facilitate and support the movement of goods through various logistical processes. Their responsibilities can include:

• Processing customer orders: Handling customer requests and forwarding requisition documentation to relevant storage and distribution personnel.
• Formulating delivery loads: Organizing vehicle schedules and determining routes for delivery staff to optimize efficiency.
• Monitoring tachograph readings: Keeping track of drivers’ hours worked and distances traveled to ensure compliance and safety.
• Obtaining customs clearance: Managing import and export documentation essential for the international movement of goods.
• Maintaining records: Keeping accurate logs regarding the movement and location of freight, containers, and staff involved in transportation.

Transport and Distribution Clerks and Assistants play a vital role in supply chain management, ensuring that goods are delivered efficiently and on time, while adhering to regulatory standards.

Eligibility to Hire Transport and distribution clerks and assistants (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Transport and distribution clerks and assistants must demonstrate a solid understanding of logistics and meet specific qualifications. These may include:

• Order Processing Skills: Ability to accurately process customer orders and convey requisition documentation to relevant personnel.
• Logistics Coordination: Experience in formulating delivery loads, creating vehicle schedules, and planning routes for delivery staff to ensure efficient operations.
• Record Keeping: Proficient in monitoring tachograph readings and maintaining detailed records of hours worked and distances traveled by drivers.
• Customs Knowledge: Familiarity with obtaining customs clearance and processing necessary import and export documentation for the movement of goods between countries.
• Freight Management: Ability to maintain accurate records regarding the movement and location of freight, containers, and staff to ensure operational effectiveness.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 4134, and that the candidate’s experience and qualifications meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Transport and distribution clerks and assistants: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Transport and distribution clerks and  assistants under SOC Code 4134.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Transport and distribution clerks and  assistants, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Transport and distribution clerks and  assistants under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Transport and distribution clerks and  assistants. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Transport and distribution clerks and assistants applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Transport and distribution clerks and assistants’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Transport and distribution clerks and  assistants can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Transport and distribution clerks and assistants

Before the Transport and distribution clerks and  assistants begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Transport and distribution clerks and assistants’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Transport and distribution clerks and assistants holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Transport and distribution clerks and assistants’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Transport and distribution clerks and assistants’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Transport and distribution clerks and  assistantss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Transport and distribution clerks and assistants

Sponsoring Transport and distribution clerks and  assistants under SOC Code 4134 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Transport and distribution clerks and  assistants, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Transport and distribution clerks and  assistants under SOC Code 4134 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.