Land ports in USA are central to carrying out trade, moving around, and managing logistics within the country and at its borders. With seaports, which function as maritime cargo entry points, land ports serve as entry ports that are located around the USA border with Mexico and Canada. These ports are in charge of regulating the traffic of goods, people, and vehicles and ensuring compliance with customs and security protocols.

The port facilities along the borders are linked to extensive road and rail networks, which enable goods to be brought to and from these ports in USA. This makes it easier for the USA to facilitate international trade movement as the crucial economic backbone of the world. It also allows for the further development of the extensive system of inland river port and inland container depots (ICD USA) located inside the country that help manage the logistics of cargo beyond the coastal regions.

In this post, we will look into how many land ports exist in the USA, their importance to trade and movement of goods, and their linkages with other logistic hubs like inland container depots and inland river port facilities.

How Many Land Ports Are in the USA?

There are nearly 167 land ports in USA, which are overseen by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agency. These ports in USA act as important trade gateways and serve the fundamental purpose of controlling the legal transfer of goods and human resources.

Significant Land Ports Broken Down By Region:

  • Northern Boundary (Canada–United States Trade): Approximately 120 land entry ports
  • Southern Boundary (Mexico–United States Trade): In excess of 40 land entry ports.
  • Secondary Inland Entry Ports: Some ICD USA locations also serve as inland trade ports.

Considering that Canada and Mexico are two of the USA’s leading trade partners, these land ports are essential for the USMCA Agreement clauses and provisions.

Major Land Ports in the USA and Their Functions

Northern Border (Canada-USA Trade Ports)

  • Buffalo-Niagara Port (New York): One of the busiest port of entry US locations.
  • Detroit Port (Michigan): A key land gateway for automotive trade.
  • Pembina Emerson Border Crossing (North Dakota): Favors agricultural exports.
  • Blaine Border Crossing (Washington): It is of enormous importance for technology and retail imports.

Southern Border (Mexico-USA Trade Ports)

  • Laredo Port (Texas): The largest land port in USA overseeing $200 billion in trade yearly.
  • Nogales Port (Arizona): Important for fresh and agricultural products like the other ports.
  • Otay Mesa Port (California): Famous for high-value electronics and auto replacement handicrafts.
  • El Paso Port (Texas): A key trade center for textiles and manufactured goods.

The land ports in USA facilitate smoother trading processes, increasing efficiency while alleviating congestion.

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Inland River Ports and Their Role in Trade

What Is an Inland River Port?

Inland river port accept cargo vessels and serve as a junction for the transshipment of goods to the road or railway services. This enables regions within the hinterland to participate internationally in trading activities.

Key Inland Water Ports in the US:

  • Port of St. Louis, Missouri: One of the primary inland water trade centers.
  • Port of Huntington, West Virginia: Handles industrial and coal cargo.
  • Port of Memphis, Tennessee: A key location for energy and agricultural exports.
  • Port of Cincinnati-North Kentucky, Ohio: A principal illiquid steel and construction material center.

These inland river port facilitate international trade for businesses and enhance accessibility beyond coastal boundaries.

Inland Container Depots and Their Link to Land Ports

What Are Inland Container Depots (ICDs)?

An inland container depot (ICD USA) is a dry port located in the United States created for containerized cargoes, enabling better handling, storage, and customs land ports. These act as adjuncts to the cargo ports and control the efficiency of international trade.

Most Important Inland Container Depots in the US:

  • ICD Chicago (Illinois): A focal point or “nerve center” of logistics in North America.
  • ICD Kansas City (Missouri): Provides support for the exports of agriculture and manufacturing.
  • ICD Dallas-Fort Worth (Texas): Promotes trade with Mexico through land ports.
  • ICD Atlanta (Georgia): A common center for containerized freight shipments.

These locations of ICD USA, combined with land ports in USA, facilitate the movement of cargo across the borders of each of the USA.

Top Land Ports in the USA by Trade Volume

Some of the port of entry US locations trade a lot every year and are key to the economy of the country.

Five best land ports, by trade share:

  • Laredo, Texas: More than USD 250 billion trades each year.
  • Detroit, Michigan: Trade worth USD 120 billion crosses borders.
  • Buffalo-Niagara, New York: Canadian Trade gateway.
  • El Paso, Texas: Américo-Mexican trades.
  • San Ysidro, California: Most passengers’ border crossing point.

These land ports border Canada and Mexico and thus play a major part in keeping trade relations with them.

Customs and Security at US Land Ports

Security and compliance are great in any port of entry for USA which guarantees safe trade and migration as a first priority.

Main Axis of Customs Activity:

  • Verify Documents: Appropriate Imports and/or Exports.
  • Cargo Check: Prevent illegal trade activities and smuggling.
  • Integrating technology: AI and scanners for security screening.

Implementing stringent security protocols facilitates the uninterrupted flow of trade at ports in USA.

Future Developments in Land Ports and Logistics

With the increase in trade volume, the US is looking to undertake the expansion and modernization of its land ports.

Important Developments to Anticipate:

  • Automated processing: Accelerating the clearing process at border crossings.
  • Improved infrastructure: Increasing the capacity of port and logistics facilities.
  • Stronger connectivity: Improving the connections between ICD USA and land ports.

These improvements are designed to boost the competitiveness of land ports in USA in international trade.

Conclusion

The land ports in USA are essential for international commerce with top trading economies. The nation has 167 land ports positioned on the north and southern borders, which facilitate the rapid transit of people and merchandise into the US.

Furthermore, the inland river port and inland container depots (ICD USA), commonly referred to as ICD USA, shift the focus of port logistics from coastal ones to inland, which helps foster better supply chain logistics. Ports in USA are essential to retain the country’s dominance in international trade, and as trade grows, investment in them would be paramount.

If your company is hoping to capitalize on land ports for its trading activities, Contact us and we can provide you with hassle-free logistics and business expansion solutions.