Ports of Entry
A “Port of Entry” is an officially designated location (including seaports, airports, and/or land border locations) where U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are assigned to accept entries of merchandise, clear passengers, collect duties, and enforce the various provisions of CBP and related laws. Ports of entry are responsible for daily port-specific operations. There are 317 official ports of entry in the United States and 14 pre-clearance offices in Canada and the Caribbean.

Port personnel are the face at the border for most cargo and visitors entering the United States. They enforce the import and export laws and regulations of the U.S. Federal government and ensure compliance with immigration policy and programs. Ports also perform agriculture inspections to protect the USA from potential animal and plant pests or diseases that could cause serious damage to America’s crops, livestock, pets, environment, and economy.