The Ultimate Guide to Freight Shipping Through Florida Ports
When it comes to ocean freight, and or cargo, shipping in Florida, there is a lot to know to ensure you follow the appropriate steps when shipping into and out of Florida Ports. Here you will find our guide to freight shipping in Florida.
From knowing all the details about your cargo to understanding the regulations implemented by both the port of origin and the receiving port, we’ve seen it all, and so have put together this guide to help you navigate the Florida Seaport system when shipping freight.
In this guide, we’ll go through all of the ports within the state, as well as key information to know and consider when going through these ports to ship your cargo containers.
Where are all the Shipping Ports in Florida?
There are 14 sea ports in the state of Florida. These include:
Located in Cape Canaveral, FL
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Located in Fernandina Beach, FL
Located in Ft. Pierce, FL
Located in Jacksonville, FL
Located in Key West, FL
Located in Palmetto, FL
Located in Miami, FL
Located in Riviera Beach, FL
Located in Panama City, FL
Located in Pensacola, FL
Located in Port St. Joe, FL
Located in St. Petersburg, FL
Located in Tampa, FL
Using Florida Ports for freight shipping?
Freight shipping is the movement of goods, be it household items or business assets, by way of ships, trucks, trains and airplanes. If you are a large or small business located in Florida that specializes in providing a large amount of overseas manufactured materials to your consumers, then it is likely that ocean freight shipping is for you.
Whether you are headquartered in Florida or have a division of your business located in the sunshine state, you will likely need to move goods through one the state’s many ports.
Which Florida Port should I use?
Refer to the list above to determine which port is closest to you or your business location. Each port has its own unique features!
How do I know what kind of shipment I have coming through my chosen Florida Port?
There are many different types of freight. It’s important that you know the classification of your shipment. Your shipment may require Full Truckload (FTL) freight, Less than Truckload (LTL), intermodal rail or another form of transportation. You will want to know as many details as possible about your shipment, and if you know all there is to know and still find yourself confused, our team is here to help you plan and determine the best fit for your business’s shipping.
Most important part
You want to familiarize yourself (and make sure you’re working with a 3PL partner who is very familiar) with all that is required to transport cargo through Florida ports.
Each port has its own unique processes and capabilities. Select your chosen Florida Port from the list below for more information on the cargo requirements and regulations.
- Port Canaveral
- Port Everglades
- Port of Fernandina*
- Port of Ft. Pierce*
- Jaxport
- Port Manatee
- PortMiami
- Port of Palm Beach
- Port Panama City
- Port of Pensacola
- Port of St. Joe
- Port St. Pete*
- Port Tampa Bay
Note: Ports with an asterisk (*) are not traditionally used for freight cargo.
How is shipping ocean freight different from regular shipping in Florida?
The primary difference between ocean freight, and let’s say you mailing a box to your family for Christmas, is that you’re dealing with drop-off at a port instead of a post office. Using a 3PL partner to manage this process will help it go a lot smoother for you so that you are not personally calling the port authority and trying to manage pickups.
EComcrew.com has a great blog titled “All About International Ocean Sea Freight & Step by Step Instructions” that provides a general view of the differences and expectations once should anticipate when dealing with ocean freight cargo.
How can a 3PL (third party logistics) provider help me communicate with ports in Florida?
A knowledgeable 3PL partner will understand the expectations of the port terminal. Your 3PL will know the lead time for imports versus exports and help you properly schedule your shipments based on your needs.
At DGD Transport, we have built a relationship with Florida’s major ports for more than 10 years. Our yard is conveniently located within minutes of PortMiami and Port Everglades.
