Port of Entry

When you are shipping ocean freight containers, there are many ports your containers will go through. Perhaps the most important port for your shipment is the port of entry. Basically, the port of entry is an official entry port for imports arriving into a nation. In addition, the port of entry is used for unloading cargo from ships, and there is almost certainly a Customs procedure followed there as well. It should be noted that the port of entry may or may not necessarily be the destination port for your shipment, depending on where your container is going. Most major international base ports are destination ports and ports of entry. Before arriving to the port of entry, your freight forwarder or agent might give you an arrival notice, but it is not required.

A port of entry in the US is heavily enforced and standardized by the US Code of Federal Regulations. For an ocean freight port to be considered a port of entry, there must be a proper US Customs procedures there. In addition, each port of entry must have a Port Director who can oversee and enforce the rules. Also, a port of entry in the US could also refer to certain airports and roadways that border Canada or Mexico.

No matter which nation your port of entry is, you must plan ahead to determine exactly where your container will travel after arrival. There might also be port of entry release fees you would have to pay. And if there is a strike at a port of entry, you need a backup plan.