Customs Clearance at Port of Miami
PortMiami is the leading gateway for Latin America and Caribbean trade. Learn clearance timelines, air cargo procedures, and CBP requirements for Florida's busiest container port.
TL;DR — Miami At a Glance
- Container volume: 1.3M TEUs/year; #10 US port by TEUs
- Average clearance time: 24-42 hours for ocean cargo; 8-14 hours for air freight
- Key facilities: PortMiami container terminals, Miami International Airport (MIA) cargo
- Unique considerations: Latin America/Caribbean trade hub; high exam rate (15-20%); perishable goods specialty; strong air cargo presence
- Local contact: CBP Port of Miami — (305) 869-2800
Port Overview & Import Volume
PortMiami is the #1 gateway for Latin America and Caribbean imports, handling 1.3M TEUs annually. Miami is unique for its dual role as a major ocean container port and home to Miami International Airport (MIA), the #1 U.S. airport for international air cargo tonnage.
2024 Import Statistics
- Ocean TEU Volume: 1.3 million TEUs (2024)
- Air Cargo Volume: 2.7 million tons (MIA, 2024)
- Top Import Categories: Apparel (24%), perishables/food (19%), electronics (16%), pharmaceuticals (12%)
- Primary Trade Lanes: Colombia (18%), Brazil (15%), Chile (12%), Peru (11%), China (10%)
- Average Vessel Dwell Time: 3.4 days (ocean containers)
- Air Freight Speed: 8-14 hours typical clearance for compliant shipments
For real-time stats, see PortMiami and Miami International Airport.
Typical Clearance Timeline
Based on our 2024 clearance data across 1,900+ entries at Port of Miami:
| Scenario | Typical Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Release (Ocean, No Exam) | 24-42 hours | Higher exam rate adds time vs. other ports |
| Standard Release (Air, No Exam) | 8-14 hours | MIA air freight typically faster than ocean |
| Intensive Exam (CET) | 4-7 days | High exam rate for Latin America cargo |
| FDA Hold (Perishables/Drugs) | 3-10 days | Common for food, pharma imports; FDA field office on-site |
| USDA APHIS Hold (Agriculture) | 2-7 days | Fresh produce, flowers, plants from South America |
| Drug Interdiction Hold | 5-21 days | Higher scrutiny for certain Latin American origins |
Port-Specific Entry Procedures
1. Pre-Arrival Filing Requirements
Miami CBP requires early filing due to high examination rates. Late filing = delays and potential holds.
- ISF Filing: Must be submitted 24+ hours before vessel loading. Miami enforces $5,000 penalties for late ISF.
- Entry Summary (ACE): File 48+ hours before arrival for best results; last-minute filings face higher exam likelihood.
- FDA Prior Notice: Required for food/pharma imports; file separately before cargo arrival.
- Customs Bond: Continuous bond required; perishable goods may need specialized bond endorsements.
2. Common Exam Triggers at Miami
- 🔍 Apparel from Latin America: Origin verification; textile visa requirements
- 🔍 Perishables/Food: FDA sampling; USDA pest inspection for fresh produce
- 🔍 Pharmaceuticals: FDA drug approval verification; proper labeling required
- 🔍 High-Value Goods: Undervaluation detection; jewelry, electronics, luxury items
- 🔍 First-Time Importers from Latam: New importer scrutiny for Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador origin
- 🔍 Narcotic Interdiction: Random exams for drug enforcement; certain countries flagged
3. Local CBP Office & Contact
CBP Port of Miami
909 SE 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 869-2800
Hours: Entry processing 24/7; in-person inquiries Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Why Choose Williamsburg Customs for Miami Clearance
- ✓ Latin America expertise: Experienced with Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Peru import compliance
- ✓ Perishable goods specialty: FDA Prior Notice filing; USDA APHIS coordination for food/agriculture
- ✓ Air freight speed: Most MIA air entries filed same-day; priority clearance for time-sensitive cargo
- ✓ High exam rate mitigation: Proactive documentation to minimize exam likelihood
- ✓ Transparent pricing: Ocean: $125-175/entry; Air: $95-150/entry
Need Customs Clearance at Port of Miami?
Licensed customs broker with expertise in Miami port and air cargo procedures. Fast, compliant clearance for Latin America imports.