Port of Savannah shipping means moving your cargo through Garden City Terminal, the largest single-operator container terminal in the US, run by the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) about 18 miles up the Savannah River. It is the main US East Coast gateway for the Southeast, with on-terminal rail that puts Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis, Dallas and Chicago two to three days away by train. This guide covers the terminals, rail and inland ports, what Savannah handles well, the short version of US customs at port 1703, and how we ship your cargo there from Dubai. We ship both ways: from Dubai to Savannah, and from Savannah to Dubai with UAE clearance on arrival.
Port of Savannah at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operator | Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), which owns and runs both terminals itself |
| Location | On the Savannah River, about 18 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, Georgia |
| UN/LOCODE | USSAV |
| CBP port code | 1703 |
| Terminals | Garden City Terminal (containers) and Ocean Terminal (breakbulk, Ro-Ro and heavy-lift, being rebuilt for containers) |
| Garden City Terminal size | 1,345 acres, 40 weekly containership services |
| Contiguous berth space | Nearly 10,000 feet |
| Channel depth | 47 ft at mean low water, up to 54 ft at high tide (7 ft tidal swing) |
| Containers, fiscal year 2026 (July to June) | 5.67 million TEU (5.7 million in FY2025) |
| Rail | CSX and Norfolk Southern on terminal; Mason Mega Rail moved 541,405 containers in FY2026, 17% of Savannah's container trade |
| Highways | Interstate 16 (east-west) and Interstate 95 (north-south) |
| Inland ports | Appalachian Regional Port (northwest Georgia) and Gainesville Inland Port (opened May 2026) |
| Customs facility on terminal | 300,000 sq ft CBP inspection facility with 4,000 sq ft of refrigerated space |
| Advance filing for ocean cargo | ISF 10+2, eight data elements no later than 24 hours before loading at origin |
| Savannah 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 Savannah and who runs it?
The Port of Savannah is a state port. The Georgia Ports Authority owns and operates both of its terminals, so there is no separate private terminal operator to deal with as you find in Los Angeles or Long Beach. One GPA system, WebAccess, shows container status for both terminals, and one customer service centre answers questions.
The port sits upriver, not on the open coast. Ships come in through a channel the US Army Corps of Engineers deepened from 42 to 47 feet. The work finished in March 2022 and lets ships of 16,000 TEU and more call. The GPA says the deeper water lets those ships load about 1,000 extra containers.
Savannah is busy. The GPA reports about 40 ship calls a week, 42 double-stack trains a week and 14,000 truck gate moves a day. In fiscal year 2026 the port handled 5.67 million TEU, just under the 5.7 million of the year before, and June 2026 alone came in at 483,684 TEU, up 18% on June 2025.
Which terminals does the Port of Savannah have?
Two GPA terminals handle cargo, plus a few support facilities. Your booking and the carrier's arrival notice tell you which one your cargo uses.
Garden City Terminal: the container terminal
Garden City Terminal is where nearly every container from the UAE will land. It covers 1,345 acres and has 40 weekly containership services. Berths 1 to 8 are worked by ship-to-shore cranes from 120 ft to 165 ft tall, with the tallest at Berth 1.
| Crane group | Crane height | Berths |
|---|---|---|
| A | 120 ft | 2 and 3 |
| B | 120 to 152 ft | 4 and 6 |
| C | 152 ft | 7 and 8 |
| D | 165 ft | 1 |
For US Customs, Garden City Terminal has two FIRMS codes, L737 and L738. Your US broker uses the right one on the entry. Garden City Terminal West, a container storage yard, sits next to the main terminal.
Ocean Terminal: breakbulk, Ro-Ro and heavy lift
Ocean Terminal is the GPA's 200-acre general cargo terminal, closer to downtown Savannah. It has handled breakbulk such as steel and forest products, Ro-Ro and heavy-lift cargo, and its FIRMS code is L704. The GPA is now rebuilding it for containers in a $1.54 billion project that will give it 2 million TEU of yearly capacity, 2,650 ft of berth and room for two large container ships at once. The GPA plans to finish the first half of the new container yard in 2027 and the second half in 2028.
Ocean Terminal also works as a lay berth. Ships can wait there before moving to Garden City, which the GPA says cuts berth idle time from 12 to 15 hours to about three. Norfolk Southern switches rail on the terminal, with on-dock rail at Berths 1, 2, 12 and 13. Interstate 516 is 2 miles away and Interstate 95 less than 10 miles.
If you plan breakbulk or heavy-lift cargo for Savannah, ask the carrier where it will discharge while the rebuild is going on. Do not assume Ocean Terminal will take it.
Support facilities
- Mason Mega Rail, the GPA's on-terminal intermodal yard at Garden City.
- Savannah Transload Facility, for moving cargo between containers and other equipment.
- The CBP inspection facility on Garden City Terminal: 300,000 sq ft, used for USDA and US Fish and Wildlife Service inspections too, with 4,000 sq ft of refrigerated space for chilled cargo exams.
Rail and inland reach: why shippers pick Savannah
Savannah's main selling point is reach into the Southeast and Midwest. The GPA says Garden City Terminal reaches 44% of US consumers and manufacturers.
| Link | What the GPA publishes | What it means for your cargo |
|---|---|---|
| Mason Mega Rail | 85 acres, 42 trains a week, room for 10 trains of 10,000 ft each | Your container can go on a train without a truck move to an off-dock ramp |
| Rail transit inland | Two to three days double-stack to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas and Memphis | Ask the carrier for a through bill of lading to the inland ramp |
| Rail share | 541,405 rail containers in FY2026, 17% of container trade | Most boxes still leave by truck, so book drayage early |
| Interstates | I-16 and I-95, key Southeast and Midwest cities within a one to two day drive | Truck is usually best within Georgia and nearby states |
| Brampton Road Connector | $130 million, four lanes, opened to port trucks on 15 July 2026 | A more direct truck route from Gate 3 to the interstate |
| Appalachian Regional Port | Rail-served inland port in northwest Georgia; record 49,319 containers in FY2026 | Rail from Savannah to a yard closer to north Georgia and Tennessee |
| Gainesville Inland Port | Rail-connected extension of the port for northeast Georgia, opened May 2026 ($134 million) | Another inland pickup option for northeast Georgia |
A simple decision rule. If your consignee is in Georgia, South Carolina or north Florida, truck from Garden City. If it is in Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis or further inland, compare a rail move with trucking. Then decide with the US broker whether to clear in Savannah or move the cargo in bond to an inland port of entry.
Savannah is also served by Foreign-Trade Zone 104. If your US buyer stores or re-exports goods, its broker can check whether a zone site suits the cargo.
What cargo can you ship from the UAE to Savannah?
| Cargo type | Usual route through Savannah | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| General goods, building materials, consumer goods | FCL or LCL to Garden City Terminal | ISF, customs bond, truck or rail booking |
| Food and chilled cargo | Reefer containers to Garden City | FDA or USDA rules; exams can use the refrigerated CBP space on terminal |
| Cargo for Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis, Dallas or Chicago | Container railed from Mason Mega Rail | Rail booking, clear in Savannah or move in bond |
| Machinery, steel, equipment | Flat racks or open tops on container services, or breakbulk where the carrier offers it | Lifting points, lashing, Georgia oversize road permits |
| Dangerous goods | IMDG-declared containers with carrier acceptance | UN number, SDS, DG declaration, hazmat-qualified trucker |
For out-of-gauge cargo, our guide to flat rack, open top and breakbulk options helps you pick the right equipment before you ask for a rate.
Shipping from Dubai to Savannah: routes and published transit indications
Savannah is an East Coast port, so cargo from the Gulf usually sails west, and most services include at least one transshipment. Route search sites publish indications like these. They change with every schedule, so treat them as a rough guide only.
| UAE port | Published indication to Savannah | Frequency | Carriers named |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khor Fakkan | About 41 days, one transfer | Every 1 to 2 weeks | Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd |
| Fujairah | About 43 days | Every 1 to 2 weeks | Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, COSCO |
| Jebel Ali | About 68 days on the service listed | Every 2 to 4 weeks | CMA CGM |
For air cargo, the quickest route the same source lists is Dubai to Atlanta with one transfer, about 23 hours in the air, with the last leg to Savannah by truck.
[AMIR-FACT: the carrier services we actually book from Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port to Savannah, the transshipment hub they use, and our real port-to-port transit days on this lane]
Ask us for live sailings for your cargo ready date. For the whole US lane, including West Coast and Gulf ports, see our USA route guide.
FCL or LCL to Savannah?
- FCL suits a full 20ft or 40ft load and any cargo that will move inland by rail. The box stays sealed from Dubai to the inland ramp.
- LCL suits small volumes, but the box is unpacked at a warehouse near the port before your part is released. That adds a day or more and another party to the release.
With LCL, each house bill needs its own ISF, and we give the US broker the stuffing location and consolidator as soon as the box is packed. Our article on FCL vs LCL shipping costs shows where the break-even point usually sits.
US customs at the Port of Savannah: the short version
US customs rules are the same at every US seaport. The points below are what matter at Savannah. For the full ISF data element list and entry tables, see our Port of Los Angeles guide.
| Step | Rule | Who acts |
|---|---|---|
| ISF 10+2 | Eight data elements no later than 24 hours before the cargo is loaded in the UAE; stuffing location and consolidator no later than 24 hours before arrival in the US | ISF Importer, often its customs broker |
| Entry documents | Within 15 calendar days of arrival | Owner, purchaser or licensed customs broker |
| Entry summary and estimated duty | Within 10 working days of entry | Importer of record or broker |
| Bond | Needed for the entry and the ISF | Importer of record, or the broker's bond |
| Harbor maintenance fee | 0.125% of cargo value, paid at entry on imports | Importer of record |
Savannah specifics: the CBP port code is 1703, and the broker files against FIRMS code L737 or L738 for Garden City Terminal. CBP can examine cargo at its facility on the terminal, which saves a truck move to an outside exam site. CBP may issue liquidated damages of $5,000 per violation for a late, inaccurate or incomplete ISF. Duty depends on the HTSUS code and origin of each product, so the broker should check the rate in force on the arrival date.
Holds show in GPA WebAccess. If your box shows as not releasable, the hold usually sits with the carrier or with CBP, not the terminal, so call the broker first.
Dangerous goods and project cargo to Savannah
For dangerous goods, the IMDG Code covers the sea leg. You need the UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group, a Safety Data Sheet, a signed DG declaration and UN-approved packaging, labels and placards. US hazardous materials rules cover the truck and rail legs, so the consignee's trucker must be able to carry your class. Each carrier also has its own DG acceptance rules for transshipment ports. Our dangerous goods shipping team checks acceptance for the whole route before you commit to a sailing.
For project cargo, we plan in this order:
- Collect drawings, weights, dimensions and centre of gravity for each piece.
- Choose flat rack, open top or breakbulk, and confirm where the carrier will discharge in Savannah while Ocean Terminal is being rebuilt.
- Tell the US broker and trucker early, because oversize road moves in Georgia need permits.
- Line up customs before arrival so the cargo leaves the terminal quickly.
See our break bulk and project cargo service for the origin side in the UAE.
How to ship from Dubai to the Port of Savannah: step by step
- Send us the cargo details: commodity, HS code, weight, volume or dimensions, packing, cargo ready date, UAE pickup address and your Incoterm.
- Tell us the final US address. That decides whether Savannah is the right port and whether rail makes sense.
- Confirm the US side: importer of record, customs broker and bond.
- Choose a service. We compare carrier services from Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port and the transshipment hub each one uses.
- Book space. For DG, reefer or out-of-gauge cargo we get carrier acceptance first.
- Send ISF data to the US broker well before loading. We add the stuffing location and consolidator.
- Clear export in the UAE. We file the declaration with the invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and any permit, and gate the container in before the cut-off.
- Check the bill of lading against the invoice and ISF, then release it after sailing.
- US entry. The broker files the entry and entry summary, pays duty and fees, and handles any exam.
- Pickup. The trucker pre-advises the move in WebAccess, or the carrier rails the box inland, and the empty goes back within free time.
Our main UAE origin is Jebel Ali Port, and our sea freight service covers FCL and LCL bookings from there.
How to ship from the Port of Savannah to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Savannah 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 Savannah.
- 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.
- Receiving window. Garden City accepts export boxes only between the first and last receiving dates on the GPA vessel schedule, so the shipper's trucker plans the gate-in against those dates.
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. 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 the US Southeast, the cargo, the HS code and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space from Garden City Terminal and send the booking, receiving dates and cut-offs to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker collects the empty, loads it and gates it in full, or the carrier rails it in from an inland port.
- The shipper or its US agent files the EEI before loading.
- 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 Savannah to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah and our real transit days in this direction]
Picking up your container in Savannah
Getting the box out of Garden City is where most delays start. Plan these points before the vessel arrives.
- Check status in WebAccess. You can search by container number, bill of lading or vessel, 24 hours a day.
- Pre-advise the truck move. WebAccess issues a PIN that is valid for 72 hours, so the trucker should pre-advise close to the pickup day.
- Check gate hours. Third-party guides list Garden City Gate 4 at 4:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays, but the GPA posts gate closings and holiday hours, so check before you send a truck.
- Watch free time. Free days and the last free day come from the carrier, so read the arrival notice and book the truck before free time runs out.
- Use the export receiving window. For exports, the GPA's 15-day vessel schedule shows the first and last receiving dates for each ship.
The GPA customer experience centre is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, on (912) 963-5526. Our article on demurrage and detention shows how charges build up when a box sits too long.
Savannah or another US port?
| Your situation | Port to look at first | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Consignee in Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee or Alabama | Savannah | Short truck leg or a two to three day train from Garden City |
| Consignee in New York, New Jersey or New England | New York and New Jersey | Avoids a long inland move up the East Coast |
| Heavy breakbulk or project cargo for Texas | Houston | Large public breakbulk terminals on the ship channel |
| Consignee in California or the western states | Los Angeles or Long Beach | West Coast terminals and rail inland |
We can price more than one US port so you can compare the total cost to your door, not just the ocean freight.
Checklist before you ship to Savannah
- Final US delivery address confirmed, and truck or rail chosen.
- Importer of record named, customs broker appointed and bond in place.
- HS code checked against the HTSUS.
- Seller, buyer, manufacturer and origin the same on the invoice, packing list, ISF and bill of lading.
- ISF filed at least 24 hours before loading in the UAE.
- Commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin issued in the UAE.
- Food, plant or wood packaging rules checked with the broker.
- For DG: SDS, DG declaration, packaging, labels and carrier acceptance for every port on the route.
- Trucker ready to pre-advise in WebAccess, or a rail booking in place.
Common mistakes when shipping to Savannah
- Late ISF. Filing after loading in the UAE risks $5,000 in liquidated damages and a hold.
- Choosing Savannah for a Northeast consignee. The inland leg can cost more than the ocean savings.
- Assuming breakbulk goes to Ocean Terminal. The terminal is being rebuilt for containers, so confirm the discharge berth with the carrier.
- Pre-advising too early. The WebAccess PIN lasts 72 hours.
- Ignoring gate closings. Check the GPA holiday and gate closing notices, because a closed gate still eats into free time.
- No rail plan. Booking rail after arrival can leave the box waiting at the terminal.
Frequently asked questions
Who runs the terminals at the Port of Savannah?
The Georgia Ports Authority owns and operates both terminals, Garden City Terminal and Ocean Terminal. Unlike many US ports, there is no separate private terminal operator.
What is the main container terminal in Savannah?
Garden City Terminal. It covers 1,345 acres, has 40 weekly containership services and is the largest single-operator container terminal in the US. Its FIRMS codes are L737 and L738.
How deep is the shipping channel at Savannah?
The shipping channel is 47 feet at mean low water after the harbor deepening finished in March 2022. With the 7-foot tidal swing, water is up to 54 feet deep at high tide.
What is the port code for Savannah?
The UN/LOCODE is USSAV and the CBP port code is 1703. You will see USSAV on bookings and bills of lading, and 1703 on US customs entries.
How long does shipping from Dubai to Savannah take?
Route search sites show indications of about 41 to 43 days from Khor Fakkan or Fujairah with one transfer, and longer on some Jebel Ali services. Ask for live sailings, because transit depends on the service and its transshipment port.
Can I send my container inland by rail from Savannah?
Yes. Mason Mega Rail on Garden City Terminal is served by CSX and Norfolk Southern, and the GPA quotes two to three days by double-stack train to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas and Memphis.
Do I need an ISF for cargo shipped from Dubai to Savannah?
Yes, for ocean cargo. The ISF Importer or its broker must file eight data elements no later than 24 hours before the cargo is loaded at the UAE port. Air cargo does not need an ISF.
Can you handle shipping from Savannah to Dubai?
Yes. We book the space from Garden City, 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.
Does Savannah handle breakbulk and heavy-lift cargo?
Ocean Terminal has handled breakbulk, Ro-Ro and heavy-lift cargo, but it is being rebuilt for containers, with yard work due in 2027 and 2028. Out-of-gauge pieces can also move on flat racks through Garden City.
Get a quote for Port of Savannah shipping
Send us your cargo details and final US address, and we will come back with sailing options and a price from the UAE to Savannah. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a DG, out-of-gauge or first-time US shipment. You can also read about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- Georgia Ports Authority: Port of Savannah (terminals, berth space, rail, interstates)
- Georgia Ports Authority: Garden City Terminal (acreage, services, cranes, Mason Mega Rail, CBP facility, WebAccess)
- Georgia Ports Authority: Ocean Terminal (redevelopment, capacity, lay berth, rail, highways)
- Georgia Ports Authority: Port of Savannah volumes up 18% in June (FY2026 volumes, rail, inland ports, Brampton Road Connector, July 2026)
- Georgia Ports Authority: Harbor deepening complete (47 ft channel, tides, ship size, March 2022)
- GoFreight: Savannah terminal tracking (FIRMS codes, port code, gate hours, WebAccess PIN)
- Goodhope Logistics: Savannah port terminal guide (CBP port 1703, Foreign-Trade Zone 104)
- Fluent Cargo: Dubai to Savannah routes (published transit indications and carriers)
- Wikipedia: Port of Savannah (location on the river, UN/LOCODE, Ocean Terminal cargo)
- CBP: Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements (timing, ISF Importer, $5,000 liquidated damages)
- CBP: Importing into the United States (entry deadlines, bond, in-bond moves, harbor maintenance fee)
- CBP: Importer and exporter tips (importer of record, brokers, HTS)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, permits)
- 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)
- 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