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Cargo and logistics operations are a major part of Swedish airport activity, particularly at Stockholm Arlanda, which handles significant freight volumes alongside passenger traffic. Warehouse assistants working for cargo handlers, freight forwarders, and postal/logistics companies such as DHL and PostNord keep goods moving between aircraft, warehouses, and onward transport. With e-commerce driving steady growth in air freight volumes, warehouse hiring at major Swedish airports has remained consistently active.
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Job Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Typical employer | DHL, PostNord, and airport freight/cargo handling companies |
| Contract type | Full-time and part-time, permanent and fixed-term |
| Experience needed | Entry-level; forklift certification (truckkort) is an advantage but often trainable on the job |
| Working hours | Shift-based, including early morning, evening, and overnight cargo windows |
| Estimated salary | 25,000 – 31,000 SEK/month |
What Does an Airport Warehouse Assistant Do in Sweden
Warehouse assistants receive, sort, scan, and stage incoming and outgoing cargo, load and unload delivery vehicles and cargo containers, operate forklifts and pallet jacks, and maintain accurate inventory records. Given the time-critical nature of air freight, much of the work is organized around flight schedules, with peak periods around major arrivals and departures. Some roles also involve handling specialized cargo categories, such as temperature-sensitive goods or dangerous goods handling, which require additional certification typically provided by the employer.
A Typical Shift
Shifts often begin with a review of expected inbound and outbound cargo volumes for the day, followed by staging areas being organized to match anticipated flight schedules. Warehouse assistants spend much of the shift scanning and moving pallets and containers, operating forklifts where certified, and cross-checking manifests against physical shipments to catch discrepancies early. Overnight shifts tend to align with long-haul cargo flight schedules and can be busier during specific windows tied to major freight arrivals.
Eligibility & Requirements
- No formal qualifications required for entry-level positions; forklift certification (truckkort) is a plus and can often be obtained through employer-sponsored training.
- Physical fitness for lifting, standing, and repetitive manual handling.
- Basic Swedish or English for reading manifests, labels, and safety instructions.
- Background check for airside or cargo-area access clearance.
- EU/EEA citizenship, or a valid Swedish work permit for non-EU/EEA applicants.
- Willingness to work rotating shifts, including nights and weekends during peak cargo periods.
Skills & Qualities Employers Look For
Employers value accuracy and attention to detail highly, since cargo handling errors can cause costly delays or misrouted shipments. Physical stamina and comfort with repetitive manual handling are important, as is the ability to work efficiently as part of a coordinated warehouse team during high-volume periods. Candidates who already hold or are willing to obtain forklift certification tend to have an advantage, since it broadens the range of tasks they can be assigned.
How to Apply Online
- Search current vacancies on DHL or PostNord career pages, or via Arbetsförmedlingen and airport cargo handler listings.
- Submit an application with your CV, noting any forklift or warehouse experience.
- Attend an interview, which may include a practical assessment for roles requiring equipment operation.
- Receive a written offer and complete security clearance and induction training.
- Non-EU/EEA applicants coordinate with the employer to file a work permit application through Migrationsverket.
Salary & Overtime
Warehouse pay follows logistics-sector collective agreements, with overtime and shift supplements for early morning, evening, and night cargo operations. Overtime is generally compensated at a premium rate defined by the applicable agreement, and total earnings can rise noticeably during peak cargo seasons such as the pre-holiday shipping period, when extended hours are more common.
Career Progression
Warehouse assistants who gain forklift certification and demonstrate reliability often progress into specialized cargo-handling roles, such as dangerous goods handling or temperature-controlled cargo, which typically carry higher pay. With further experience, some move into shift supervisor or warehouse coordinator positions overseeing daily operations and staff scheduling.
Tips for International Applicants
- Mention any warehouse, logistics, or forklift experience from previous jobs, even outside aviation — it directly transfers to this role.
- Ask about employer-sponsored forklift certification programmes if you don’t already hold a truckkort, as many companies offer this during onboarding.
- Be clear about your availability for rotating and overnight shifts, since flexibility is often weighted heavily in hiring decisions.
- Non-EU/EEA applicants should start the work permit conversation with the employer as early as possible to avoid delaying the start date.
Work Permit & Visa Considerations
Non-EU/EEA nationals must secure a work permit before starting, following the same process as other airport roles. See the Sweden Work Visa guide for full details.
Working Conditions & Labour Rights
Warehouse staff are covered by the same statutory protections as other airport employees, including a 40-hour standard week and at least 25 days of paid annual leave. See the Sweden Labour Law guide for full details on rest breaks and overtime rules.
Employer Snapshots: DHL and PostNord
DHL operates significant cargo and logistics infrastructure at Stockholm Arlanda and other Swedish airports as part of its global air freight network, offering structured warehouse roles with clear paths into specialized cargo handling and supervisory positions. PostNord, the primary postal and logistics operator across Sweden and Denmark, similarly employs warehouse staff at airport-adjacent facilities to manage parcel and freight volumes, particularly given the continued growth of e-commerce-driven shipping. Both companies typically provide forklift certification training for staff who don’t already hold a truckkort, and both offer internal progression into shift supervisor and warehouse coordinator roles for employees who demonstrate reliability and accuracy over time. Smaller freight forwarders and specialized cargo handlers also operate at Swedish airports and can be worth exploring alongside these two larger employers.
Common Interview Questions
Interviewers commonly ask about any prior experience with manual handling, forklifts, or inventory systems, and how you’d handle discovering a discrepancy between a shipment and its manifest. Expect questions about your comfort with rotating shifts, including overnight cargo windows, and your approach to maintaining accuracy under time pressure during high-volume periods. Candidates without direct warehouse experience are often asked about any physically active or detail-oriented work they’ve done previously that demonstrates relevant transferable skills.
Working with Warehouse Management Systems
Most modern cargo and logistics operations rely on digital warehouse management systems for scanning, tracking, and staging shipments, and new warehouse assistants are trained on the specific system used by their employer during onboarding. Basic computer literacy — comfort with handheld scanners and simple data-entry screens — is generally expected, though extensive prior technical experience is not required, since the systems are designed for operational staff rather than specialists. Accuracy in scanning and recording movements is closely tied to overall shipment tracking reliability, making this one of the more consistently emphasized skills during training.
Handling Specialized Cargo
Beyond general parcel and freight handling, some warehouse roles involve specialized cargo categories such as temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals, live animals, or dangerous goods, each of which is governed by specific handling procedures under international aviation cargo regulations. Staff assigned to these categories receive additional certification and training beyond the standard warehouse induction, and such specialization often carries a modest pay premium given the added responsibility and regulatory compliance involved. Employers typically identify suitable candidates for this additional training based on reliability and attention to detail demonstrated in general warehouse duties first.
Forklift Certification (Truckkort)
The Swedish forklift certification, commonly referred to as a truckkort, is typically required before operating powered industrial trucks unsupervised, and covers different vehicle categories depending on the type of equipment used at a given warehouse. Many logistics and cargo employers offer in-house or partnered certification training for new hires who don’t already hold it, since it’s a common and expected step rather than a barrier that excludes otherwise strong candidates. Holding an existing truckkort, or an equivalent certification from another country, can speed up onboarding, but employers generally still confirm and, where necessary, supplement it with site-specific training before granting full equipment access.
Preparing Your Application
A solid application for a warehouse assistant role should mention any prior experience with manual handling, inventory systems, or forklift operation, even from unrelated industries such as retail or general logistics — this experience transfers directly and is often what differentiates candidates at the screening stage. Clearly stating your availability for rotating shifts, including overnight cargo windows, is important given how tightly warehouse staffing is tied to flight schedules. If you already hold a forklift certification (truckkort) or an equivalent from another country, mention this explicitly and ask whether it’s recognized as-is or would need to be supplemented with Swedish-specific training. International applicants should raise their visa status early in the conversation so the employer can plan the work permit timeline alongside the hiring process.
Cost of Living Considerations
Warehouse and cargo roles are concentrated most heavily around Stockholm Arlanda given its cargo volume, so workers relocating specifically for this role should weigh Stockholm’s relatively higher cost of living against the steadier availability of shifts and overtime compared to smaller regional airports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need forklift certification before applying?
Not always — many employers offer certification training during onboarding, though already holding a truckkort can be an advantage.
Is the job physically demanding?
Yes, it involves regular lifting, standing, and manual handling, so reasonable physical fitness is expected.
Are overnight shifts common?
Yes, many cargo operations run overnight to align with long-haul freight schedules, and shifts rotate across day, evening, and night.
What is dangerous goods handling?
It refers to cargo requiring special handling procedures under aviation safety regulations, and staff assigned to it receive specific additional training.
Can this role lead to supervisory positions?
Yes, experienced warehouse assistants frequently progress into shift supervisor or warehouse coordinator roles.
Is the work seasonal or year-round?
Core warehouse operations run year-round, though hiring often increases ahead of peak shipping periods such as the pre-holiday season.
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Final Thoughts
Warehouse and cargo-handling roles offer steady, physically active work with solid overtime potential, and are a practical entry point for candidates with or without forklift certification.
