Port of Manzanillo shipping covers most of the containers that enter Mexico: the port on the Pacific coast of Colima state handles 46% of the country's container traffic. It is run by ASIPONA Manzanillo, with four container operators, bulk and reefer terminals, and on-dock rail, and cargo is cleared by Mexico's customs agency, ANAM. This guide covers the terminals, cargo types, customs and how we ship your cargo from Dubai to Manzanillo. We ship both ways: from Dubai to Manzanillo, and from Manzanillo to Dubai with UAE clearance on arrival.
One point first. This page is about Manzanillo in Colima, Mexico (port code MXZLO). There is also a Manzanillo container port in Panama, on the Caribbean side near Colon, and some booking sites mix them up. Check the port code on every quote and booking.
Port of Manzanillo guide: key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Manzanillo, Colima state, Pacific coast of Mexico |
| Port code | MXZLO |
| Port authority | ASIPONA Manzanillo (Administracion del Sistema Portuario Nacional Manzanillo), under the Ministry of the Navy |
| Port area | 437 hectares, including water areas, quays and storage |
| Berths | 19: 14 commercial, 3 for hydrocarbons, 2 for cruise ships |
| Access channel | 16 m deep, 744 m long, 150 m navigable width |
| Container operators | SSA Mexico (TEC I), Contecon Manzanillo (TEC II), OCUPA and TIMSA (multi-purpose terminals) |
| Containers in 2025 | 3,893,357 TEU |
| Containers, January to October 2026 | 3,483,498 TEU, up 8.1% on the same months of 2025 |
| Total cargo in 2025 | 31.4 million tonnes, of which 22.1 million tonnes in containers |
| Share of Mexico's containers | 46% nationally, 68% of the Pacific coast |
| Inland links | 24.7 km of rail track inside the port; Guadalajara 300 km by road, Mexico City 791 km |
| Customs office | Aduana de Manzanillo (ANAM) |
| Import declaration | Pedimento, filed by a licensed customs broker |
| Manzanillo to Dubai | Export pedimento filed by the shipper's agente aduanal; UAE duty 5% of CIF for most goods plus 5% import VAT |
Where is the Port of Manzanillo and how does cargo reach it?
The port sits on the Pacific coast in Colima, about midway down Mexico's west coast. The port authority calls it the main entry for foreign trade into central Mexico and the Bajio, a region it says produces more than 67% of Mexico's GDP and holds 55% of its people. Its listed hinterland includes Jalisco, Guanajuato, Queretaro, Aguascalientes, Mexico City and the State of Mexico, Nuevo Leon and other states.
Cargo leaves the port by road and rail. Inside the port there are 6.2 km of internal roads and 24.7 km of rail track, and the port lists double-stack trains among its services. These are the published distances to the main inland markets.
| From Manzanillo to | By road | By rail |
|---|---|---|
| Guadalajara | 300 km | 355 km |
| Leon | 517 km | 661 km |
| Aguascalientes | 555 km | 834 km |
| Queretaro | 660 km | 703 km |
| San Luis Potosi | 667 km | 1,058 km |
| Mexico City (Pantaco) | 791 km | 960 km |
| Monterrey | 1,086 km | 1,380 km |
| Nuevo Laredo | 1,310 km | 1,645 km |
A decision rule: for consignees in Guadalajara, the Bajio or Mexico City, Manzanillo is usually the natural port. For a consignee near the Gulf coast, ask for a Veracruz or Altamira routing as well and compare the inland cost.
Which terminals does the Port of Manzanillo have?
The port authority says 14 private operating companies run the terminals and facilities, all with 100% private capital. Four of them handle containers.
Container terminals
| Terminal | Operator | What the port or operator lists | TEU in 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEC I (Specialised Container Terminal I) | SSA Mexico | 259,423 m2 concession; four berths (N10 to N13) on 1,076 m of quay; 14 m depth and 13 m draught (N13: 14.5 m and 13.5 m) | 1,648,347 |
| TEC II (Specialised Container Terminal II) | Contecon Manzanillo (ICTSI group) | 72.42 ha; two berths of 360 m each; 15 m draught | 1,545,411 |
| Multi-purpose facility No. 1 | OCUPA | 85,477 m2; general and containerised cargo | 343,357 |
| Multi-purpose facility No. 2 | TIMSA (Terminal Internacional de Manzanillo) | 84,957 m2; general and containerised cargo | 356,243 |
SSA Mexico's own page lists 32 hectares for container operations, 16 quay cranes (14 of them Super Post-Panamax), 52 electric yard cranes, 1,064 reefer connections and three on-dock rail tracks of 500 m each. It also runs a 5,500 m2 LCL warehouse inside the terminal.
Contecon lists 3,789 reefer plugs and says it handles 20ft and 40ft boxes, flat racks, open tops, ISO tanks, out-of-gauge, reefer and IMO (dangerous goods) containers. It has crane and yard weighing for SOLAS VGM, a 5,000 m2 area for consolidation and deconsolidation, and inspection doors for plant and animal health checks.
Your carrier's service decides the terminal, not you. Check it on the arrival notice, because free time, storage tariffs and truck appointments all follow the terminal.
Bulk, reefer and other terminals
| Facility | Cargo | What the port lists |
|---|---|---|
| Comercializadora La Junta | Agricultural bulk, containers, general and project cargo | Discharge of 1,000 t per hour; 50,000 t grain storage; own rail spur for 50 wagons; open areas for project cargo |
| Granelera Manzanillo | Agricultural bulk | 1,000 t per hour; 45,000 t static capacity |
| Exploracion de Yeso (USG) | Minerals, mainly gypsum | 60,000 t capacity; ship loading up to 2,000 t per hour |
| CEMEX and Cementos Apasco | Bulk cement | 23,500 t and 25,000 t storage |
| FRIMAN | Refrigerated cargo | Two 600 t cold rooms, 70 reefer connections, a sealed fumigation chamber for 240 pallets |
| Corporacion Multimodal | General, bulk and refrigerated cargo | 115 reefer connections |
| PEMEX terminal | Hydrocarbons | 3 berths |
| Cruise terminal | Passengers | 2 berths for Panamax cruise ships |
Services inside the port
The port authority lists these services. All of them are run by private providers under contract, which the port says it opened to competition from 1995 onward.
| For cargo | For vessels |
|---|---|
| Loading, discharge and transfers | Towage and pilotage |
| Storage in warehouses, silos and yards | Mooring and line handling |
| Truck scales and reefer connections | Water, fuel and supplies |
| Inspection and certification of goods | Waste and hazardous waste collection |
| Double-stack trains and rail equipment repair | Vessel inspection and certification |
| Customs area, fumigation and security | Maritime traffic control centre |
What cargo can you ship through Manzanillo?
Containers dominate. In 2025 the port handled 22.1 million tonnes of containerised cargo out of 31.4 million tonnes in total, and 1,145 of its 1,672 vessel calls were container ships. The port authority lists these main goods by type.
| Cargo type | Main goods |
|---|---|
| Containerised | Milk powder, perishables, clothing and footwear, chemicals, household appliances, electronics, auto parts, spare parts, tequila |
| General cargo | Paraffin, fertilisers, plywood, steel products, paper rolls, auto parts, vehicles, livestock |
| Agricultural bulk | Canola, wheat, rapeseed, oats, sorghum |
| Mineral bulk | Cement, mineral fertiliser, urea, zinc concentrate, sulphur, iron pellets, gypsum, potassium nitrate |
One pattern matters for importers. In 2025, 1,718,373 TEU came in as imports, mostly full boxes, while most export boxes left empty. Manzanillo is an import gateway, which helps keep empty equipment available for exporters.
FCL and LCL shipping through Manzanillo port
For FCL, your container is discharged at the carrier's terminal and stays there until the pedimento is cleared, then leaves by truck or rail. For LCL, the box is unpacked at a container freight station and each consignee clears its own goods. SSA Mexico and Contecon both list LCL and deconsolidation areas inside their terminals.
Shipping lines are represented in Manzanillo through local agencies. The port authority's list includes agencies for COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC and ONE, among 23 names. Our guide to FCL vs LCL costs shows where the break-even sits.
Breakbulk, project cargo and dangerous goods at Manzanillo
Breakbulk and project cargo
Machinery, steel and vehicles move through the two multi-purpose terminals, which handle general and containerised cargo. Comercializadora La Junta lists open areas and specialised equipment for project cargo, and Contecon accepts flat racks, open tops and out-of-gauge boxes.
A rule we use: if a piece fits a 40ft flat rack, ship it in a container service to TEC I or TEC II for more sailings. If not, plan breakbulk and confirm which multi-purpose terminal the vessel will use. We collect drawings, weights and lifting points and agree lashing with the carrier. See our guide to flat rack, open top and OOG cargo and our break bulk and project cargo service.
Dangerous goods
Contecon lists IMO containers among the cargo it handles. DG cargo must be packed, marked and declared under the IMDG Code, with a DG declaration, safety data sheet and UN-approved packaging, and the carrier must accept it before booking.
The bigger risk is time. Under Mexico's Customs Law, explosive, flammable, contaminating, radioactive or corrosive goods left in customs storage are treated as abandoned after three days, or up to 45 days where the facility can keep them safely. Perishables and live animals have the same short limit. Have the pedimento ready before the vessel arrives. Our dangerous goods shipping team sends DG data to the consignee's broker with the booking.
Reefer and perishable cargo
Manzanillo has more reefer capacity than most shippers expect. Contecon lists 3,789 reefer plugs and 716 m2 of cold room, and SSA Mexico lists 1,064 reefer connections. Outside the container terminals, FRIMAN offers frozen and chilled rooms with a fumigation chamber, and Corporacion Multimodal has 115 reefer connections. Milk powder and perishables are among the port's main container imports.
For food, plant and animal products, the Customs Law says plant and animal health checks are made at the customs or bonded facility named by the authorities. Contecon lists separate inspection doors for plant health and animal health checks. Make sure the health certificates travel with the original documents, because a reefer waiting for paperwork is the most expensive box in the port.
Customs clearance at Manzanillo: documents, duty and IVA
The Aduana de Manzanillo is ANAM's customs office for the port, on Boulevard Miguel de la Madrid in the Tepeixtles area. ANAM lists rail import and export service from Monday to Saturday around the clock, and on Sundays from 09:00 to 21:00.
Who can clear cargo at Manzanillo?
ANAM lists five steps for any importer: an active RFC tax ID, a hired customs broker, the right tariff code, registration in the SAT's Padron de Importadores, and compliance with tariff and non-tariff rules. Some goods need a second, sector-specific registration, covering 16 sectors including chemicals, textiles and apparel, footwear, steel and automotive. The SAT gives a result on the general registration within 10 days.
The pedimento is filed electronically by an agente aduanal, a person authorised by the Ministry of Finance to clear goods for others. A company can only clear on its own through an accredited legal representative.
Which documents does the broker need?
| Document or data | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice with full descriptions | Value and sale data sent with the pedimento |
| Bill of lading and packing list | Transport data sent with the pedimento |
| Permits and proof of Mexican standards (NOMs) | Non-tariff rules published for the tariff code |
| Certificate of origin | Needed when a preference, quota or origin rule applies |
| Serial, part, brand and model numbers | Required for goods that can be identified one by one |
| Importer's value declaration | Signed by the importer and given to the broker |
| DG declaration and SDS | For dangerous goods |
How much duty and IVA will you pay?
| Charge | Rate | Base |
|---|---|---|
| IGI (import duty) | Set per tariff code; ad valorem, specific or mixed | Customs value (normally the transaction value) |
| DTA (customs processing fee) | 8 per thousand on most definitive imports | Customs value |
| IVA | 16% | Customs value plus IGI and the other import charges |
From 1 January 2026, Mexico raised the general duty on 1,463 tariff lines, to rates between 5% and 50%, many of them clothing, textiles, plastics and metal products. The UAE has no trade agreement with Mexico, so UAE-origin goods pay the general rate, and goods made elsewhere pay the rate for their real origin.
What happens after the pedimento is paid?
The goods are presented and the automated selection system decides if customs inspects them. If not, they are released at once. If selected, customs checks the documents and goods against the pedimento. Mexico's customs rules were amended in 2026, so let your broker confirm the current steps.
How to ship to the Port of Manzanillo from Dubai: step by step
There is no direct sailing from the UAE in the schedule data we checked, so every routing transships. Fluent Cargo lists Khor Fakkan to Manzanillo at about 41 days 8 hours with one transfer, every 1 to 2 weeks, and Jebel Ali to Manzanillo at about 54 days 21 hours with two transfers, every 2 to 4 weeks. Our Jebel Ali port shipping guide covers the UAE side.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually book from Jebel Ali or Khor Fakkan to Manzanillo, the transshipment hub, and our real port-to-port days in 2026]
- Confirm the consignee is registered in the Padron de Importadores and has appointed a customs broker in Manzanillo.
- Have the broker check the tariff code, the 2026 IGI rate, NOMs and any sector registration.
- Agree the Incoterm. Our guide to Incoterms 2020 for sea freight explains who pays each block.
- Send us cargo details: goods, tariff codes, weight, volume, packing and the delivery address in Mexico.
- We book space with the carrier from Jebel Ali or Khor Fakkan to MXZLO and confirm the destination terminal.
- We check the invoice, packing list and certificate of origin, and prepare bill of lading data with full descriptions.
- We arrange UAE trucking and the export declaration, then load and seal the container.
- We send the documents and arrival notice to the broker before the vessel arrives at Manzanillo.
- The broker files and pays the pedimento, the cargo clears and moves by truck or rail to the consignee.
How to ship from the Port of Manzanillo to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Manzanillo to Dubai, with arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah port. We book the space with the carrier and run the UAE side. The Mexican export formalities stay with the shipper or its customs broker in Mexico. Trade through Manzanillo is unbalanced: in 2025 it handled 1,629,569 TEU of exports, but most of those boxes were empty, so empty containers are usually easy to find there.
The Mexican export side
- Customs broker. ANAM says an exporter hires an agente aduanal, who presents the export pedimento to customs in the exporter's name.
- Registration. The exporter needs an active RFC. Goods in some sectors, such as alcoholic drinks, manufactured tobacco, fuels, energy drinks and pesticides, also need the sector export register (padron de exportadores sectorial).
- Fees. Exports pay the customs processing fee, the Derecho de Tramite Aduanero (DTA).
- Pickup. The shipper or its trucker delivers the box to the Manzanillo terminal named on the booking, inside the carrier's cut-off.
The UAE import side
On arrival in Dubai, the declaration goes to Dubai Customs with the commercial invoice, the packing list, a certificate of origin and any permit for restricted goods. The carrier releases the cargo against the bill of lading. Customs duty in Dubai is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes. Import VAT is 5%, and a VAT-registered importer accounts for it on its VAT return under the reverse charge.
- Send us the shipper's details in Mexico, the cargo, the HS code and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space from Manzanillo and send the booking, terminal, hub and cut-offs to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker collects the empty, loads it and delivers it to the terminal.
- The shipper's agente aduanal files the export pedimento.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list.
- We file the UAE declaration before the vessel arrives.
- We arrange payment of the duty and VAT and collect the delivery order.
- We truck the box to your site and return the empty inside free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers and transshipment hubs we actually use from Manzanillo to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah, and our real port-to-port transit days in this direction]
Free time, storage and abandonment at Manzanillo
Each terminal sets its own free time and storage tariff, and the carrier sets container detention. Under the Customs Law, imports left in customs storage are treated as abandoned after two months, or three days for hazardous and perishable goods. Once ANAM notifies the owner, there are 15 days to collect. Costs start long before that, as our note on demurrage and detention explains.
Manzanillo or another Mexican port: which fits your cargo?
Manzanillo is the default for containers into central Mexico, but it is not the only choice. Use this as a starting point and compare the inland leg, not just the ocean rate.
| Your situation | Port to consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Consignee in Guadalajara, the Bajio or Mexico City | Manzanillo | Shortest road and rail distances on the Pacific side, most container sailings |
| Consignee in Michoacan or on a rail-served site | Lazaro Cardenas or Manzanillo | Compare the rail plan from each port |
| Consignee in Veracruz, Puebla or the east | Veracruz | Gulf coast port closer to the east of the country |
| Consignee in Tamaulipas or the north-east | Altamira or Manzanillo with rail | Monterrey is 1,086 km by road from Manzanillo |
| Bulk grain, cement or minerals | Manzanillo | Dedicated bulk terminals with silos and conveyors |
Air cargo instead of sea
For urgent goods, sea freight to Manzanillo is too slow. Fluent Cargo lists departures from Dubai International (DXB) to Mexico City every 1 to 2 days, at about 22 hours, and an Emirates freighter from Al Maktoum (DWC) to Felipe Angeles International, north of Mexico City, 2 to 4 times a week. The nearest airport to the port is Playa de Oro International, about 30 km away. The same customs rules apply to air cargo: the consignee needs the Padron registration and a broker.
Checklist before you ship to Manzanillo
- Port code on the booking is MXZLO, Mexico, not the Panama port.
- Consignee's RFC active and Padron de Importadores registration confirmed.
- Sector registration checked for chemicals, textiles, footwear, steel or automotive goods.
- Broker appointed and holding the commercial documents before arrival.
- Tariff code checked for the 2026 duty rate, NOMs and permits.
- Invoice lists serial, part and model numbers where they exist.
- Certificate of origin matches the real country of manufacture.
- DG data sent early, given the three-day storage limit.
- Terminal known from the arrival notice, with free time noted.
- Inland delivery planned by truck or rail before the box lands.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | What happens | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Booking to Manzanillo, Panama | Cargo goes to the wrong country | Check the port code MXZLO |
| Consignee not in the Padron | The pedimento cannot be filed and storage builds up | Register before the cargo sails |
| Duty quoted at the old rate | Landed cost far above plan | Check the code against the 2026 tariff |
| Vague descriptions on the invoice | Classification queries and inspection | Describe each item fully |
| DG cargo with no broker ready | Goods at risk of abandonment after three days | Prepare the pedimento before arrival |
| Ignoring the terminal | Wrong free time and truck plan | Read the terminal on the arrival notice |
Frequently asked questions
Where is Manzanillo port located?
It is on the Pacific coast of Mexico, in Colima state, about 300 km by road from Guadalajara and 791 km from Mexico City. Its port code is MXZLO. It is a different port from Manzanillo in Panama.
Who operates Manzanillo port?
The port is run by ASIPONA Manzanillo, the port authority. The terminals are run by 14 private companies, including SSA Mexico and Contecon Manzanillo for the two specialised container terminals, and OCUPA and TIMSA for the multi-purpose terminals.
How many containers does Manzanillo handle?
It handled 3,893,357 TEU in 2025 and 3,483,498 TEU from January to October 2026. The port authority says it carries 46% of Mexico's container traffic.
How deep is Manzanillo port?
The access channel is 16 m deep. At the container berths, TEC I lists 14 m depth with 13 m draught, or 14.5 m depth at berth N13, and TEC II lists a 15 m draught.
Do I need a customs broker to clear cargo at Manzanillo?
In practice, yes. ANAM lists hiring an agente aduanal as a requirement to import, along with an RFC and registration in the Padron de Importadores.
Is there import duty on goods from Dubai to Manzanillo?
Yes, for most goods. The duty depends on the tariff code. There is no Mexico-UAE trade agreement, so UAE-origin goods pay the general rate, plus a DTA fee and 16% IVA.
How long does shipping from Dubai to Manzanillo take?
Published schedule data shows about 41 days from Khor Fakkan with one transshipment and about 55 days from Jebel Ali with two. Customs and inland delivery come on top.
Can Manzanillo handle reefer and dangerous goods containers?
Yes. Contecon lists 3,789 reefer plugs and handles IMO containers, and SSA Mexico lists 1,064 reefer connections. DG cargo must be cleared quickly, because hazardous goods in customs storage face a three-day abandonment limit.
Can I use Manzanillo for goods going on to central Mexico by rail?
Yes. The port has 24.7 km of internal rail track and lists double-stack trains among its services, and SSA Mexico has three on-dock rail tracks. The published rail distance to Mexico City (Pantaco) is 960 km.
Can you handle shipping from Manzanillo to Dubai?
Yes. We book the space, check the bill of lading and clear the cargo in Dubai. The shipper's agente aduanal files the export pedimento in Mexico. In Dubai, duty is 5% of CIF for most goods, plus 5% import VAT.
Get a quote for Port of Manzanillo shipping
Send us your cargo details, tariff codes and the delivery address in Mexico, and we will come back with a routing to MXZLO and a price. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team for breakbulk or DG cargo. You can also read more about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- ASIPONA Manzanillo: Location and zone of influence
- ASIPONA Manzanillo: Distances
- ASIPONA Manzanillo: Port infrastructure
- ASIPONA Manzanillo: Terminals and facilities
- ASIPONA Manzanillo: Specialised terminals
- ASIPONA Manzanillo: General information (history, privatisation from 1995)
- ASIPONA Manzanillo: Port services and access channel
- ASIPONA Manzanillo: Main goods handled
- ASIPONA Manzanillo: Shipping agencies
- ASIPONA Manzanillo: Monthly port statistics, December 2025
- ASIPONA Manzanillo: Monthly port statistics, October 2026
- SSA Marine Mexico: Manzanillo TEC I
- Contecon Manzanillo: Business lines
- Findaport: Port of Manzanillo, Mexico (port code)
- ANAM: Aduana de Manzanillo
- ANAM: Frequently asked questions (requirements to import)
- ANAM: Glossary (agente aduanal, pedimento, IGI, DTA)
- ANAM: Abandoned goods
- SAT: Registration in the Padron de Importadores
- SAT: Padron de Importadores de Sectores Especificos
- Ley Aduanera, articles 29, 36, 36-A, 40, 43, 59 and 64 (Orden Juridico Nacional)
- Ley del Impuesto al Valor Agregado, articles 1 and 27 (Orden Juridico Nacional)
- Ley Federal de Derechos, article 49 (Orden Juridico Nacional)
- DOF 29 December 2025: decree amending tariff lines of the LIGIE
- DOF 2026: decree amending the Customs Law Regulation
- Secretaria de Economia: Countries with treaties and agreements signed with Mexico
- Fluent Cargo: Dubai to Manzanillo
- Fluent Cargo: Dubai to Mexico City
- ANAM: Definitive export (agente aduanal, RFC, sector register, DTA)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (documents)
- UAE Government portal: Customs duty (5% of CIF, alcohol 50%, cigarettes 100%)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide (5% rate, import VAT, reverse charge)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026