Port of Seattle terminal guide

Seattle Location

Seattle sits on the east shore of Puget Sound, and vessels reach open water only through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. That water structure gives Seattle and Tacoma one shared channel, which is why the two ports allied on container business. The city and the terminals are linked by rail and road corridors, with container terminals set south and southwest of downtown and freight and passenger traffic on separate routes.

Seattle Port of Entry Overview

Seattle's customs port code is 3001, with the office on International Boulevard at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, handling entry filing, exams and release for the area. The port reports to the Seattle Field Office, with a working day that runs into the evening.

The port's office hours are long by US West Coast standards, running to 22:00 on weekdays. Ocean cargo trade and exam work splits between the North Harbor and South Harbor operating areas, and air cargo is handled at the airport cargo terminal. Import cargo filed at Seattle can use the service window that matches how it actually enters.

Northwest Seaport Alliance

The Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma formed the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) in 2015 to manage the container, breakbulk, auto and some bulk terminals of both ports. The alliance merges the resources of the two ports and offers one customer service and one set of service routes.

The alliance works by pooling resources: services can berth on the Seattle side or the Tacoma side, dispatched by the alliance as one system. For forwarders and importers that means more berth choices and sailing frequency under a single customer service. The alliance carries a high domestic share, much of it Alaska and Hawaii traffic, a structure that differs from other US West Coast ports dominated by international cargo.

Terminal 18

Terminal 18 is Seattle's main container terminal, operated by SSA Terminals, and the core container facility on the alliance's Seattle side. It has an on-dock intermodal yard that can work full unit trains.

The depth and crane set can take large container ships, and the on-dock rail lets rail departures start soon after a vessel arrives, shortening dwell time. The Terminal 18 intermodal yard connects directly to the North American rail network, reaching inland hubs such as Chicago after departure. The yard is zoned by container type and direction, with reefers in an area fitted with plugs.

Terminal 5

Terminal 5 is Seattle's other main container terminal, operated by SSA Terminals and modernized in recent years. It has 51 feet of depth and a planned capacity of more than 1.3 million TEU.

The upgrade targets large vessels and reefer cargo. The new gate uses dynamic weighing so trucks do not have to stop fully to be weighed, lifting gate throughput; moving the gate inside the terminal raised the queue capacity by more than double and eased the effect on surrounding roads. Reefer plugs now exceed 1,500, supporting Washington agricultural exports such as apples, cherries, potatoes and hay. The terminal runs electric cranes, with lower emissions in operation.

Terminal 46 and Other Terminals

Beyond the container mainstays, Seattle has terminals handling roll-on/roll-off, breakbulk and bulk. Terminal 46 is operated by Total Terminals International and took car carrier calls in 2025, handling some auto and breakbulk business.

Together these terminals round out the port's capacity. Terminal 46 has 17 gate lanes and an intermodal yard able to load two full trains, suiting cargo that needs mixed handling. Terminal 30 sits less than 2 miles from the two Class I ramps, so drayage is short. Terminal 115 handles bulk, barge and project cargo, and its barge work ties into Alaska-direction traffic.

Seattle Container Throughput

On the national measure the alliance's container volume sits among the leaders in North America, with international cargo about three quarters and domestic about a quarter. Domestic cargo runs mainly to Alaska and Hawaii, whose consumer goods and building materials move largely through Seattle and Tacoma, a base that supports steady feeder schedules. International cargo is mostly Asia-direction, with additional regular services to Europe, Latin America and Oceania.

Channel and Vessel Conditions

The depth at Seattle and Tacoma can take large container ships, with the channel maintained by dredging. Puget Sound's position shortens the North Pacific sea leg, which helps transit time. For cargo from northern China ports, the Seattle route is usually shorter than an all-water path to the US East Coast; for cargo from southern China, the time difference between US West and US Southeast routes is relatively small.

Rail Connections

Seattle's container terminals are served by two Class I railroads, BNSF and Union Pacific, and Terminal 18 has an on-dock intermodal yard whose trains reach the US Midwest and East.

Rail plays two roles at Seattle: long-haul moves from the terminal to inland hubs, and distribution toward the US Midwest and East. Both Class I railroads have local lines, so a forwarder can pick the better value option for the destination and its network. Rail transit for a loaded container from the terminal to Chicago runs about 4 days, which helps make Seattle a route for Asia-direction cargo into the US interior. For China exporters, dual rail access means more inland options and steadier capacity in peak season.

Highway Conditions

Seattle's road network runs on the I-5 and I-90 axes. I-5 links north to Vancouver and south to Portland and California, while I-90 runs east to Spokane and the US Midwest. Container terminals cluster south of downtown, with heavy vehicles on dedicated routes rather than through the urban core. From Seattle, a one-day drive covers the Puget Sound metro area and toward Portland, and a two-day drive expands the reach further.

Foreign-Trade Zone 5

Seattle has Foreign-Trade Zone 5, with the Port of Seattle as grantee, serving King and Snohomish counties in Washington. Import cargo can be stored, sorted and non-duty processed in the zone without duty paid.

Zone goods are stored, sorted, labelled or re-exported without duty paid, with duty deferred until the goods leave the zone for the US market. Seattle's zone sites cover the seaport, the airport and surrounding industrial areas, connecting to terminals and rail intermodal facilities. Whether the zone fits and whether rate-choice benefits apply needs a per-shipment check against commodity and HS code.

Ocean Services and Transit Times from China

Container cargo from China to Seattle mostly moves direct on North Pacific services, with a shorter sea leg. After arrival, cargo can move inland by rail toward the Midwest and East, or distribute locally and across the Northwest.

The ranges above are the common overlap after cross-checking several forwarders' transit tables; they exclude cut-off, clearance and peak queue time and are not a delivery commitment. The North Pacific sea leg is short, so total time is competitive among US ports. In peak season both US West Coast space and inland capacity tighten, and rail intermodal bookings should be arranged early.

Air Cargo Conditions

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the local air port and among the larger airports in the US Northwest. Air cargo is handled at the airport cargo terminal, which has a deferred exam point.

Sea-Tac's cargo and mail volume ranks among the top US airports, with reach across Asia, Europe and Oceania. The airport is a major hub for Alaska Airlines and Delta, with more Asia-direction route resources. High-value cargo needing air speed can clear at Seattle first and then move on, or move under bond sealed to a local port for filing. General aviation facilities sit north of the airport, where private aircraft and charters can be scheduled by appointment.

Warehouse and Distribution

Puget Sound's industrial inventory is large for the US Northwest, with a mid-level vacancy. Rents run above southern US markets and below coastal California. The Kent Valley and South Seattle hold many warehouse and distribution facilities, close to the port and airport. Washington is a major US agricultural exporting state, and goods such as apples, cherries, potatoes and hay use local storage and reefer capacity to reach Asia. Long-term tenants usually lock in space months ahead.

Container Pickup and Empty Return

Pickup needs an advance appointment and the carrier's required authorization. Free storage in the yard runs per carrier and yard rules, with storage charges beyond that; the empty return point may differ from the pickup point, so confirm by the carrier's instruction before the handoff. Ro-ro and breakbulk cargo is collected differently from containers and needs separate confirmation against the terminal and operator's work plan.

Customs Exams and Release

Seattle port can file, exam and release. Ocean and air cargo are handled by North Harbor, South Harbor and the airport cargo terminal respectively. Import cargo can be entered and released at the port of entry and moved in, or moved in-bond sealed to this port and filed here.

Exam ratio follows risk rating, and consistency of commodity name, declared value and origin affects selection. Inconsistent documents are a common delay; commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading names, quantities and amounts need line-by-line check. Wood-packaged goods need IPPC marks, and agricultural and food cargo must also meet agricultural quarantine rules.

Operating Hours and Holidays

The port office runs into the evening and closes on weekends, with work arranged as needed. US federal holidays affect office and terminal work; New Year, Independence Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas are usually full-day closures, while MLK Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day follow federal holiday scheduling. The Friday after Thanksgiving and the working days around Christmas see some warehouses and yards shorten hours or rotate staff, a factor to count in year-end planning.

Peak and Off-Peak Seasons

The import peak usually runs August to October, in step with US West Coast ports, when space and inland capacity are both tight. November and December fall back after the pre-holiday rush, and January and February are the low season with lower volume. Volume starts rising in March, and April to June is a relatively stable window. Washington agricultural exports concentrate in autumn, so reefer and export arrangements for apples, cherries and similar cargo follow the growing season.

Peak and off-peak mainly affect space and inland legs: ocean rates move with liner capacity, while rail intermodal and truck capacity in peak season prioritizes full trains and block loads. In peak season, submit pickup appointments three to five days ahead and keep one or two days of buffer. Domestic feeder traffic to Alaska and Hawaii runs on steadier schedules and is less affected by the international peak.

Port Advantages

• Seattle and Tacoma form the Northwest Seaport Alliance, dispatching the terminals of both ports as one system, with more route and sailing choices.
• Terminal 18 has about 50 feet of depth and 9 post-Panamax cranes, able to take large container ships.
• Terminal 5 has about 51 feet of depth, more than 1,500 reefer plugs and electric cranes, handling reefer and large-vessel cargo.
• The on-dock intermodal yard is served by BNSF and Union Pacific, with loaded-container rail transit to Chicago of about 4 days.
• Puget Sound's position shortens the North Pacific sea leg, giving Asia-direction cargo a favorable total transit time.
• Port office hours run to 22:00 on weekdays, a long window for time-sensitive document work.
• Foreign-Trade Zone 5 covers King and Snohomish counties, where goods can be stored, sorted and re-exported without duty paid.

Taken together, Seattle suits two needs: full-container imports for the US Northwest and Midwest, and importers who want a US West Coast position with more inland rail choices. Dual rail access and a shorter North Pacific voyage give Seattle another balance point between time and cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the relationship between the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma?

The two ports formed the Northwest Seaport Alliance in 2015 to manage their container, breakbulk, auto and some bulk terminals together, offering one customer service and one set of service routes. Their 2025 combined volume was 3,156,598 TEU. The two ports have different customs port codes and office addresses.

How long does ocean shipping from China to Seattle take?

By the cross-checked range from several forwarder transit tables, the sea leg is commonly about 15 to 19 days from North China and about 13 to 20 days from East and South China, with a common door-to-door range of about 18 to 28 days including the inland leg. Air is commonly about 4 to 8 days. Confirm exact times with the carrier at booking.

Which container terminals does the Port of Seattle have?

The two container mainstays on the Seattle side are Terminal 18 and Terminal 5, both operated by SSA Terminals. Terminal 18 has about 50 feet of depth and 9 post-Panamax cranes; Terminal 5 has about 51 feet of depth and more than 1,500 reefer plugs. The alliance has further terminals on the Tacoma side.

Can cargo clear customs at Seattle?

Yes. Seattle port code 3001 can file, exam and release, with office hours Monday to Friday 07:00 to 22:00. Ocean and air cargo are handled by North Harbor, South Harbor and the airport cargo terminal respectively, and cargo can also move in-bond sealed to this port for filing.

How large is the Port of Seattle's volume?

On the Northwest Seaport Alliance annual cargo report basis, the 2025 combined volume was 3,156,598 TEU, of which 2,418,534 TEU was international and 738,064 TEU domestic. Domestic cargo runs mainly to Alaska and Hawaii, and international cargo is mostly Asia-direction.

Where is a container picked up at Seattle?

Pickup can be done at the container terminal yard or a yard the carrier designates. The trucker books a window and enters with the arrival notice, released bill of lading, customs release and pickup authorization, with gate hours per the terminal's daily announcement. Ro-ro and breakbulk cargo collection needs separate confirmation with the terminal and operator.

Does the Port of Seattle have rail service?

Yes. The container terminals are served by two Class I railroads, BNSF and Union Pacific, and Terminal 18 has an on-dock intermodal yard able to work full unit trains. Rail reaches inland hubs such as Chicago, Memphis and Dallas, with loaded-container rail transit to Chicago of about 4 days.

How is Foreign-Trade Zone 5 used?

Foreign-Trade Zone 5 has the Port of Seattle as grantee, serving King and Snohomish counties, with an activation cap of 2,000 acres. Zone goods can be stored, sorted and re-exported without duty paid, with duty deferred until the goods enter the US market. Whether it fits needs a per-shipment check against commodity and HS code.

What are Seattle's warehouse conditions?

The Seattle/Puget Sound submarket has about 247.1 million square feet of inventory, about 9.5% vacancy and an average asking rent of about USD 12.63 per square foot per year. Rents run above southern US markets and below coastal California. The Kent Valley and South Seattle hold many warehouse and distribution facilities.

When is Seattle's peak season?

The import peak is usually August to October, when space and inland capacity are both tight. November and December fall back, and January and February are the low season. In peak season, submit pickup appointments three to five days ahead and arrange rail intermodal and truck capacity early; domestic feeder cargo is less affected by the international peak.