Major U.S. Sea Ports for UK Imports

1. Port of Los Angeles, California

The Port of Los Angeles is the busiest container port in the United States and a global leader in cargo throughput. Located on the West Coast, it’s a strategic departure point for shipments coming from California, Nevada, and other western states.

The port is known for its state-of-the-art infrastructure, fast customs clearance procedures, and connections to Asia-Pacific trade routes. For UK-bound cargo, it is often used for high-value goods such as electronics, automotive parts, and machinery, as well as consolidated freight heading to Felixstowe or Southampton.

2. Port of Long Beach, California

Sharing the same bay as the Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach is a major logistics hub and one of the greenest ports in the U.S. It handles a wide variety of goods including consumer electronics, raw materials, and industrial components.

With robust rail and highway links, it’s a solid choice for businesses shipping from Western or Southwestern U.S. regions.

For UK importers, Long Beach is often chosen when container space is tight in LA or when a particular freight forwarder has stronger partnerships there.

3. Port of New York & New Jersey

As the largest port on the U.S. East Coast, the Port of New York & New Jersey is a prime gateway for goods destined for Europe.

Its location near dense population centres like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia makes it especially efficient for consumer goods, textiles, and food products.

This port also features advanced customs processing and serves as a key hub for both full container load (FCL) and less-than-container load (LCL) shipments. Many UK-bound importers prefer this port for fast transit times to London Gateway and Southampton.

4. Port of Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is the fastest-growing container port in North America, with deepwater access and fast turnaround capabilities. It’s particularly efficient for cargo originating from the U.S. Southeast, including states like Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas.

Savannah is a common choice for UK importers receiving agricultural goods, timber, paper products, and retail stock.

The port also offers one of the most modern logistics parks and rail facilities in the country, which translates into smoother domestic pickup and onward international shipping.

5. Port of Houston, Texas

Houston handles the largest volume of project cargo and breakbulk freight in the United States.

It’s the top port for chemical, petrochemical, and industrial exports, making it ideal for importers in the oil & gas or manufacturing sectors.

Its location near the Gulf of Mexico also allows direct access to ocean freight lanes bound for Europe. Businesses importing heavy machinery, equipment, and containerised industrial goods from central or southern U.S. often choose Houston for its specialised handling capabilities and shorter port dwell times.

6. Port of Miami, Florida

While not as large as other ports, the Port of Miami is known for high efficiency and close proximity to Latin American shipping lanes.

It’s often used for time-sensitive cargo and niche goods such as luxury vehicles, medical devices, and smaller retail consignments.

For UK importers sourcing goods from the Southeast U.S. or working with suppliers in Florida, Miami offers a direct and less congested option for containerised sea freight.

7. Port of Seattle–Tacoma (Northwest Seaport Alliance)

Formed as a partnership between two Washington state ports, Seattle and Tacoma operate as a single gateway known as the Northwest Seaport Alliance.

This port handles a large volume of containerised agricultural products, aircraft components, and high-tech equipment. It’s ideal for businesses shipping from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and other Pacific Northwest locations.

For UK importers focused on West Coast agricultural supply chains or aerospace parts, this port offers reliable sailings and multimodal export options.

Choosing the Right Port for Your UK-Bound Cargo

Your choice of U.S. export port can directly impact your delivery schedule, freight costs, and customs processing time in the UK. Factors such as cargo origin, freight type (FCL or LCL), and industry regulations all play a role in determining the most suitable port.

PACK & SEND provides hands-on guidance to ensure your shipment departs from the optimal location, whether you’re importing a single pallet or a full container. With global partnerships and real-time logistics tracking, we simplify the import process so your goods arrive in the UK on time and in full compliance.