Port of Entry
Port of Entry is the designated US location, such as a seaport, airport, or land border crossing, where imported goods are formally entered and cleared through customs.
Why it matters for ecommerce brands
The port of entry can differ from where the ship unloads if goods move inland in bond to clear closer to your warehouse. Choosing ports affects transit time, drayage cost, and congestion risk.
Common questions
- Can goods clear customs at an inland location instead of the arrival port?
- Yes. Goods can travel in bond from the port of arrival to an inland port of entry and clear customs there. This is common for rail moves to inland hubs such as Chicago or Dallas.
Cite this entry
"Port of Entry." Fulfillment Lexicon, last reviewed October 16, 2026. https://fulfillment.wiki/glossary/port-of-entry/