Port of Oakland shipping covers almost all container cargo for Northern California: the port handles more than 99% of the region's containerized goods. It has four marine terminals, 18 deep-water berths and two intermodal rail yards next to the docks. This guide covers each terminal, vessel limits, rail, the port's hazmat permit rules, US customs in short, and how we ship your cargo from Dubai to Oakland. We ship both ways: from Dubai to Oakland, and from Oakland to Dubai with UAE clearance on arrival.
Port of Oakland shipping: key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Owner | Port of Oakland, run by the Board of Port Commissioners of the City of Oakland |
| UN/LOCODE | USOAK |
| Location | East side of San Francisco Bay, 530 Water Street, Oakland, California |
| Marine terminals | Four: OICT, TraPac, Everport and Matson |
| Deep-water berths | 18 |
| Berth depth | 50 ft at the main international container berths, 42 ft at Matson and OICT berth 60 |
| Rail | BNSF Oakland International Gateway and Union Pacific Oakland Intermodal Terminal, both in the port area |
| Containers handled in 2025 | 2,253,976 TEU |
| Full imports and exports in 2025 | 958,223 TEU imports, 787,289 TEU exports |
| Share of Northern California container cargo | More than 99% |
| Trade mix (2023) | About 74% Asia, 17% Europe, about 5% domestic (mainly Hawaii) |
| Truck weight in the port area | Up to 95,000 lb with a heavyweight permit |
| Customs authority | US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) |
| Oakland to Dubai | Shipper or its US agent files the EEI; UAE entry at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah with 5% duty on CIF for most goods and 5% import VAT |
What is the Port of Oakland, and who runs it?
The Port of Oakland dates from 1927, when the City of Oakland set up a Board of Port Commissioners to run the seaport and the city airport. It still runs both. On the maritime side it acts as a landlord: it leases terminals to private operators, who load and discharge ships and set their own gate procedures.
Three things set Oakland apart from Los Angeles and Long Beach in the south. It is the container gateway for the San Francisco Bay Area and the rest of Northern California. Its export flow is almost as large as its import flow, with full exports at about 82% of full imports in 2025. And its terminals are compact, so the trucks and rail yards sit close to the berths.
For a UAE shipper, the export balance matters. Carriers look for full boxes back from Oakland, which can help when you plan a two-way trade or need empties for return cargo.
Which container terminals does the Port of Oakland have?
The port lists four operating marine terminals. Your ocean carrier's service decides which one your container uses.
| Terminal | Operator | Berths | Quay length | Depth | Cranes | Reefer plugs | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT) | SSA Terminals | 55-60 | 6,855 ft | 50 ft at berths 55-59, 42 ft at berth 60 | 10 Super Post-Panamax | 1,509 | 290 |
| TraPac | TraPac | 25-33 | 4,263 ft | 50 ft | 5 Post-Panamax, 2 Super Post-Panamax | 1,206 | 123 |
| Everport | Everport Terminal Services | 35-38 | 2,157 ft plus 100 ft dolphin | 50 ft | 4 Super Post-Panamax | 346 | 90 |
| Matson | SSA Terminals | 61-63 | 1,888 ft | 42 ft | 4 Post-Panamax | 257 | 60 |
OICT is the largest terminal by far, with almost half the port's container quay. Matson's terminal handles containers and Ro-Ro, mainly for the domestic Hawaii trade, so international cargo from the UAE will normally land at OICT, TraPac or Everport.
The port also lists two terminals as available for lease: the Outer Harbor Terminal (130 acres, 50 ft, set up for containers, bulk, breakbulk and Ro-Ro) and Howard Terminal (50 acres, 42 ft). They are not part of a regular container rotation, so do not plan on them unless a carrier or charterer confirms a call.
Reefer capacity and cold storage
The three main international terminals have more than 3,000 reefer plugs between them. Cool Port Oakland, run by Dreisbach, is listed among the port's support facilities for warehousing and cold storage, and several transload warehouses offer cross-docking and fumigation close to the terminals. If you ship chilled or frozen food from the UAE, ask your consignee which cold store will take the cargo before you book.
Vessel size and the turning basins
Oakland's limit is not depth but turning room. The port's two turning basins were designed for a 6,500 TEU ship about 1,139 ft long. Ships calling today are often longer, and those over 1,139 ft face transit restrictions.
| Basin | Current diameter | Planned diameter |
|---|---|---|
| Inner Harbor turning basin | 1,500 ft | 1,834 ft |
| Outer Harbor turning basin | 1,650 ft | 1,965 ft |
The widening was authorised by Congress in January 2025 and approved by the port board in July 2025. The port expects Phase 1 design to run to December 2026 and Phase 1 construction to start in mid-2027. Until then, the longest ships face transit restrictions in the harbor, which is one more reason to check the vessel and routing on your quote.
How much cargo moves through Oakland?
The port's monthly figures show 2,253,976 TEU in 2025, almost level with 2,262,921 TEU in 2024. From January to October 2026 it handled 1,835,361 TEU.
| Year | Full imports (TEU) | Full exports (TEU) | Empties (TEU) | Total (TEU) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 964,240 | 776,100 | 522,582 | 2,262,921 |
| 2025 | 958,223 | 787,289 | 508,465 | 2,253,976 |
| 2026, January to October | 778,908 | 657,837 | 398,617 | 1,835,361 |
Most of that trade is with Asia. For cargo from the UAE, this means you will almost always move through a transshipment hub where the box joins an Asia to US West Coast service.
Shipping from Dubai to Oakland: routings and transit
Shipping from Dubai to Oakland has no direct all-water service. Schedule aggregator Fluent Cargo lists the lane with one transshipment:
| Load port | Listed duration | Listed frequency | Carriers named |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khor Fakkan | About 47 days | Every 1-2 weeks | ONE, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, Evergreen |
| Jebel Ali | About 73 days | Every 2-4 weeks | ONE |
These are third-party indications, not a quote, and they shift with each carrier's network. The Jebel Ali figure in particular reflects one listed service with eight stops. Ask for the transit and the transshipment port on every quote you compare, and compare more than one UAE load port.
[AMIR-FACT: our real transit Jebel Ali (or Khor Fakkan) to Oakland, the transshipment hub and carriers we actually book on this lane, and typical booking lead time]
For urgent cargo, Fluent Cargo lists a direct Dubai to San Francisco International flight of about 16 hours, every 1-2 days. San Francisco and Oakland airports are both close to the seaport. Our air cargo service from Dubai covers that option.
FCL or LCL to Oakland?
Most UAE cargo to Oakland moves FCL. LCL suits small volumes, but on a transshipment lane it adds consolidation at origin, a box change at the hub and devanning at a container freight station in the Bay Area. Each step adds handling and days.
A decision rule: for fragile, high-value or DG cargo, price FCL even for part loads. For general cargo under a few cubic metres, price both. Our guide to FCL vs LCL costs shows where the break-even point usually falls, and we book both through our sea freight service from Dubai.
Getting cargo out: trucks, heavyweight corridor and rail
Trucking is the main way containers leave Oakland. Every driver entering a terminal needs a TWIC, the federal transport worker ID. Each terminal sets its own gate hours and appointment rules, so your trucker must book with the terminal on the arrival notice.
Oakland has a useful rule for heavy boxes. Under a permit from the City and Port of Oakland, trucks of up to 95,000 lb may move inside the port area, which allows up to 15,000 lb of extra cargo weight compared with the normal limit. This helps when heavy cargo is transloaded near the port into lighter loads before going onto public highways.
Rail runs from two intermodal yards in the port area: BNSF's Oakland International Gateway (87 acres) and Union Pacific's Oakland Intermodal Terminal (110 acres). These are near-dock yards, so a container is trucked a short distance from the terminal to the ramp. A third yard, the Outer Harbor Intermodal Terminal (24 acres), handles manifest and support rail traffic.
A decision rule: for the Bay Area and the Central Valley, truck. For Nevada, Utah or further east, ask whether the carrier offers a rail move from Oakland, and decide early whether to clear in Oakland or move in bond to an inland port of entry.
Free time, demurrage and detention in Oakland
At Oakland the terminal operators and the ocean carriers set free time, not the port. Carrier demurrage applies while a full container stays in the terminal after free time, and detention while you keep the carrier's box outside. Days and daily rates differ by carrier, container type and terminal, so read them on your quote and the arrival notice.
Three habits keep these costs down. Have the customs entry ready before the ship arrives. Book the truck appointment as soon as the box is available. Return the empty to the depot the carrier names within the free days. Our article on demurrage and detention shows how the charges are worked out.
Breakbulk and project cargo at Oakland
Oakland is a container port first. None of the four operating terminals is a dedicated breakbulk terminal, and the two multi-purpose sites the port lists, the Outer Harbor Terminal and Howard Terminal, are available for lease rather than in regular service.
So for oversized cargo from the UAE to Northern California, plan on container equipment where you can. Machinery that fits a flat rack or open top travels on the normal container services into OICT, TraPac or Everport. Pieces that need conventional breakbulk tonnage may be better routed to another West Coast port with a breakbulk berth and then trucked north. Our guide to flat rack, open top and breakbulk options sets out the limits, and our break bulk and project cargo service covers the planning.
Dangerous goods at the Port of Oakland: permits first
The port is clear on DG: shippers must obtain a permit for any container with hazardous materials that moves through the Oakland Seaport. Permits are applied for through the port's online permit system. Section III of Port of Oakland Tariff No. 2-A sets the rules behind it.
| Rule | What the tariff says |
|---|---|
| Permit type | Hazardous Materials Handling Permit (Form 700-1) or Radioactive Materials Handling Permit (Form 700-2) |
| When to apply | In writing at least two working days before the permit is needed |
| Extra sign-off | Class 1.1, 1.2 and 1.5, oxidizers and ammonium nitrates need approval from the Captain of the Port, the Oakland Fire Marshal and the port's Executive Director |
| Class 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3, oxidizers, certain ammonium nitrates | No more than 13.5 tons net explosive weight at one facility at a time |
| Time on terminal | Class 1.1 no more than 2 hours, last on and first off; Class 1.2, 1.3 and oxidizers no more than 24 hours |
| Class 1.4 and 1.5 | Up to 100 tons net explosive weight each per facility, no more than 24 hours on terminal |
The tariff text is old (many pages date from 1996), and terminals and carriers add their own acceptance rules. Treat the table as a planning guide and confirm current terms with the carrier and terminal for each booking.
From the UAE side you need a correct UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group, a Safety Data Sheet, a signed dangerous goods declaration and IMDG packaging, marks and labels. Our dangerous goods shipping team checks carrier acceptance before you commit to a sailing.
US customs at Oakland: the short version
CBP rules are the same at every US seaport, so here is only the short version.
- ISF 10+2. The importer, or its customs broker, files the Importer Security Filing no later than 24 hours before the cargo is loaded on the vessel at the UAE port. Late, wrong or missing filings can bring liquidated damages of USD 5,000 per violation.
- Entry. Entry documents are due within 15 calendar days of arrival, and the entry summary within 10 working days of entry.
- Bond. The entry must be backed by a customs bond. A broker can let you use its bond.
- Duty. The rate depends on the HTSUS code and origin of each product. Check the official tariff for your exact code when the goods arrive.
- Broker. Most importers use a licensed customs broker for the ISF and entry. The port's FAQ explains the broker's role for new importers.
What we need from you before sailing
| Document or data | Why Oakland needs it | Who provides it |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice and packing list | CBP entry and duty | Seller (you) |
| Seller, manufacturer, HS code, country of origin | ISF, due 24 hours before loading | Seller to the US broker |
| Bill of lading | Release from the carrier | Carrier, through us |
| UAE export declaration | Export clearance in Dubai | Us or our clearing agent |
| DG declaration and SDS | Carrier acceptance and the Oakland hazmat permit | Shipper, checked by us |
How to ship from Dubai to the Port of Oakland: step by step
We book space and handle the UAE side. The US importer's customs broker clears the cargo at Oakland.
- Send us the cargo details. Commodity, HS code, weight, volume or dimensions, pickup point and the Incoterm agreed with your buyer.
- Get the routing and quote. We compare services from Jebel Ali and other UAE ports, and confirm the transshipment hub and the Oakland terminal.
- Book space. For DG, reefer or out-of-gauge cargo we get carrier acceptance first so the hazmat permit can be applied for in time.
- Send ISF data to the broker at booking, so the filing is made before loading.
- Pick up, stuff and clear export. We truck the empty, stuff and seal the box, and file the UAE export declaration. Our Jebel Ali port guide covers that side.
- Arrival in Oakland. The broker files entry, the carrier releases the box, and a TWIC-holding trucker books an appointment at the terminal within free time.
How to ship from the Port of Oakland to Dubai
Oakland is an export port as much as an import port: it handled 787,289 TEU of full exports in 2025. We also handle this direction, shipping from Oakland 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 US export filing stays with the shipper or its US agent.
The US export side
- Electronic Export Information (EEI). The US Principal Party in Interest (USPPI) or its authorized agent files it in the AES. For vessel cargo, the filing citation must reach the carrier at least 24 hours before the cargo is loaded at Oakland.
- Low-value lines. EEI is generally not required where each Schedule B or HTS number is valued at $2,500 or less from one USPPI to one consignee on one vessel. The exemption has conditions, so the shipper's agent confirms it for each shipment.
- Used vehicles. For a vehicle exported by vessel, the vehicle and its title documents must be presented to CBP at least 72 hours before export.
- Reefer and DG exports. A reefer box needs its set temperature on the booking, and any hazmat container still needs the Oakland port permit described above, in this direction too.
The UAE import side
On arrival, the import declaration goes to Dubai Customs with the commercial invoice, the packing list, the certificate of origin and a permit from the relevant authority for restricted goods, such as food. The carrier releases the delivery order 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 through the reverse charge on its VAT return.
- Send us the shipper's address in Northern California, the cargo, the HS code and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space from Oakland and send the booking, the terminal and the cut-offs to the shipper.
- The shipper or its TWIC-holding trucker collects the empty, loads it and gates it in full before the cut-off.
- The shipper or its US agent files the EEI and, for DG, gets the port hazmat permit.
- 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 from the carrier.
- We truck the container to your site and return the empty inside free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Oakland to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah and our real transit days in this direction]
Oakland or another US port?
| Your situation | Port to look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Consignee in the Bay Area or elsewhere in Northern California | Oakland | Short truck leg from a compact port |
| Consignee in Southern California or Arizona | Los Angeles | Shorter final truck move, more services |
| Breakbulk or heavy project cargo | A port with a breakbulk berth, such as Houston on the Gulf | Oakland's breakbulk terminals are not in regular service |
| Consignee on the East Coast | Norfolk or New York and New Jersey | Avoids a cross-country rail or truck leg |
We can price more than one US port so you compare total cost to the consignee's door.
Checklist before you ship to Oakland
- HS code confirmed for every item, and the same code on invoice, packing list and ISF data.
- Importer of record, US customs broker and bond confirmed.
- ISF data sent to the broker at booking.
- Transshipment hub and Oakland terminal known before sailing.
- For DG, carrier acceptance in hand and the Oakland hazmat permit applied for in time.
- For reefers, a cold store booked near the port.
- For heavy boxes, a heavyweight permit or transload plan.
- Trucker with TWIC and a terminal appointment.
- Carrier free time, demurrage and detention terms read.
Common mistakes when shipping to Oakland
- Expecting a direct sailing. The UAE to Oakland lane runs through a transshipment hub, so plan for the hub's dwell time.
- Late ISF data. If the seller sends manufacturer and HS details after loading, the broker files late and the cargo can be held.
- Shipping DG without the port permit. Every hazmat container needs an Oakland permit, and some classes need extra sign-off.
- Planning breakbulk into Oakland by default. Its multi-purpose terminals are not in regular service, so check the berth first.
- Overloading the box. A container that is legal inside the port's heavyweight corridor may still be too heavy for public roads.
Frequently asked questions
How many terminals does the Port of Oakland have?
The port lists four operating marine terminals: OICT, TraPac, Everport and Matson. Together the seaport has 18 deep-water berths and two intermodal rail yards.
How deep are the berths at the Port of Oakland?
The main international container berths at OICT, TraPac and Everport are 50 ft deep. The Matson terminal and OICT berth 60 are 42 ft.
What is the port code for Oakland?
The UN/LOCODE for Oakland is USOAK. You will see it on bookings, bills of lading and tracking tools.
How much cargo does the Port of Oakland handle?
The port handled 2,253,976 TEU in 2025, including 958,223 TEU of full imports and 787,289 TEU of full exports.
Do I need a permit to ship dangerous goods through Oakland?
Yes. Shippers must obtain a port permit for any container with hazardous materials moving through the Oakland Seaport, applied for at least two working days ahead under the port tariff.
How long does shipping from Dubai to Oakland take?
It depends on the carrier's routing. A schedule aggregator lists about 47 days from Khor Fakkan and about 73 days from Jebel Ali, both with one transshipment, so ask for the transit on each quote.
Do I need an ISF for cargo from Dubai to Oakland?
Yes, for ocean cargo. The importer or its broker must file the ISF no later than 24 hours before the cargo is loaded at the UAE port, and CBP can charge USD 5,000 per violation.
Can you handle shipping from Oakland to Dubai?
Yes. We book the space from Oakland, the shipper or its US agent files the EEI, and we clear the cargo through UAE customs and deliver it. Most goods pay 5% duty on the CIF value plus 5% import VAT.
Can containers go inland by rail from Oakland?
Yes. BNSF and Union Pacific run intermodal yards in the port area, and containers are trucked a short distance from the terminal to the rail ramp.
Get a quote for Port of Oakland shipping
Send us your cargo details and we will come back with a routing and a price from the UAE to Oakland. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a DG or out-of-gauge shipment first. You can also read more about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- Oakland Seaport: Seaport facilities (terminals, berths, depth, cranes, reefer plugs, rail yards)
- Oakland Seaport: Home (four terminals, 18 berths, two rail facilities)
- Oakland Seaport: Facts and figures (99% share, 2023 trade mix)
- Port of Oakland: Monthly TEU volumes 2022-2026
- Oakland Seaport: Turning basins widening project
- Oakland Seaport: Trucker resources (hazmat permits, heavyweight corridor, TWIC)
- Port of Oakland Tariff No. 2-A, Section III: Hazardous materials rules
- Oakland Seaport: Frequently asked questions (customs brokers, TWIC)
- Wikipedia: Port of Oakland (founded 1927, governance)
- iContainers: Port of Oakland (UN/LOCODE USOAK)
- Fluent Cargo: Dubai to Oakland routes (listed ocean durations, carriers, air to SFO)
- CBP: Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements (24 hours, USD 5,000)
- CBP: Importing into the United States (15 days, 10 working days, bond, in bond)
- 15 CFR 30.4: EEI filing timeframes (24 hours before vessel loading)
- 15 CFR 30.37: EEI exemptions ($2,500 per Schedule B number)
- 19 CFR 192.2: Used vehicle exports (72 hours, title documents)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, permits)
- UAE Government portal: Customs duty (5% of CIF, alcohol 50%, cigarettes 100%)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide (5% import VAT, reverse charge)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026