Port of unlading vs port of entry: the port of unlading is where the cargo comes off the vessel; the port of entry is where the entry is filed. They are the same port unless the cargo moves inland in bond.
What is a Port of Entry?
CBP operates 328 ports of entry across seaports, airports and land border crossings. At each one, CBP officers inspect cargo, collect duties and release shipments.
Port of entry vs. port of discharge
The port of discharge (or unlading) is where the vessel unloads the container. The port of entry is where the customs entry is filed and the goods are released. They are often the same seaport, but not always: cargo can be discharged at Los Angeles and moved in bond by rail to Chicago, where the entry is filed and Chicago becomes the port of entry.
What happens at a port of entry
- The ISF filed before loading is matched against the carrier's manifest
- The customs entry (CBP Form 3461) and entry summary (CBP Form 7501) are filed, usually by a licensed customs broker
- CBP's targeting system decides whether to release the shipment or hold it for a document review or a physical exam
- Duties, the Merchandise Processing Fee and, at seaports, the Harbor Maintenance Fee are paid
- Other agencies such as the FDA, USDA or CPSC may review regulated products before release
Why your choice of port matters
Exam rates, congestion and drayage costs differ by port, and the sailing time to that port drives your total lead time. For IndiaโUSA cargo, New York, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Norfolk and Oakland handle most of Airlift's volume; the India to USA lane page shows transit by port pair.
Airlift coordinates the entry at any U.S. port through its customs clearance service and licensed broker network.
Related terms
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