A port of entry is a location designated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection where imported goods may legally enter the United States. Ports of entry include seaports, airports, and land border crossings staffed by CBP officers who process cargo, collect duties, and enforce trade laws. There are 328 official ports of entry across the country, each identified by a unique four-digit port code used on customs entries.
Why It Matters for Importers
The port of entry where your goods arrive affects your clearance timeline, examination risk, and logistics costs. Different ports have different staffing levels, processing speeds, and examination rates. A shipment arriving at a high-volume port like Los Angeles/Long Beach may face longer wait times but has more CBP resources available. A smaller port may process entries faster but may not have the PGA staff needed if your goods require FDA or USDA clearance.
Your customs entry is filed at the port where the goods physically arrive. If your container is discharged at the Port of Savannah, your entry must reference that port code. The port of entry also determines which CBP Center of Excellence and Expertise (CEE) reviews your entry, as certain product categories are handled by specialized centers regardless of the arrival port.
Key Details
- The largest U.S. container ports by volume are Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Savannah, and Houston.
- Each port of entry has a unique Schedule D port code (four digits) that must appear on the customs entry.
- Some ports specialize in certain commodities — for example, Laredo handles a large share of cross-border truck traffic from Mexico.
- CBP's examination rates vary by port, ranging from under 3% to over 10% depending on the port and commodity mix.
- Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) located near ports of entry offer duty deferral and other benefits for qualifying goods.
Choosing the Right Port
Your port of entry decision is typically driven by ocean carrier routing, proximity to your warehouse, and transit time requirements. However, importers with flexibility should also consider examination rates, PGA processing capabilities, and local drayage costs when selecting a port. Your customs broker and freight forwarder can advise on the trade-offs.
For more on the clearance process at any U.S. port, see our customs clearance services page.