Port of Manzanillo
The Port of Manzanillo is Mexico’s leading Pacific container gateway and one of the most important cargo ports in Latin America. Located in Manzanillo, Colima, the port serves importers, exporters, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, automotive suppliers, industrial shippers, agricultural businesses, customs brokers, freight forwarders, logistics providers, and supply chains moving cargo between Mexico, Asia, North America, Latin America, and global trade lanes.
Manzanillo is especially important for containerized freight, consumer goods, retail inventory, electronics, machinery, automotive parts, industrial equipment, chemicals where permitted, plastics, food products, agricultural cargo, steel, construction materials, refrigerated cargo, project cargo, and general commercial freight. Its Pacific location makes it a strategic gateway for cargo moving between Mexico and Asia, while inland rail and trucking routes connect the port with Mexico City, Guadalajara, Bajío, Aguascalientes, Querétaro, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí, and other major Mexican markets.
The port’s UN/LOCODE is MXZLO. Shippers should confirm the exact terminal, carrier service, customs process, rail or trucking plan, container availability, reefer requirements, cargo restrictions, and documentation requirements before booking.
Port of Manzanillo Overview
| Port Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Port name | Port of Manzanillo / Puerto de Manzanillo |
| Country | Mexico |
| State / city | Colima / Manzanillo |
| Region | Pacific Coast of Mexico |
| UN/LOCODE | MXZLO |
| Port type | Seaport / container port / multipurpose cargo gateway |
| Main port organization | ASIPONA Manzanillo |
| Main terminal areas | Container terminals, multipurpose terminals, cargo yards, logistics areas, rail and truck-connected facilities |
| Main cargo focus | Containers, consumer goods, electronics, machinery, automotive parts, industrial cargo, chemicals where permitted, food products, agricultural cargo, retail cargo |
| Main terminal types | Container terminals, multipurpose terminals, reefer areas, cargo yards, rail-connected logistics areas, warehousing and distribution zones |
| Cargo types | Containers, pallets, cartons, refrigerated goods, machinery, electronics, automotive parts, chemicals where permitted, plastics, food products, steel, construction materials, general freight |
| Suitable for | Importers, exporters, manufacturers, retailers, automotive suppliers, industrial businesses, customs brokers, freight forwarders, Mexico supply chains |
Why Ship Through the Port of Manzanillo?
Manzanillo is strategically located on Mexico’s Pacific coast, making it one of the country’s most important gateways for cargo moving between Mexico and Asia. Its location is especially useful for importers and exporters connected to the Mexico City region, Guadalajara, Bajío, western Mexico, central Mexico, and industrial corridors served by road and rail.
For importers, Manzanillo provides access to container terminals, Mexican customs services, inland trucking, rail connections, bonded logistics options, warehouses, distribution centers, and final delivery routes across central and western Mexico. For exporters, the port supports cargo moving from Mexican manufacturers, automotive suppliers, food producers, agricultural businesses, industrial exporters, and distribution centers into international ocean freight services.
Manzanillo is especially relevant for businesses that need access to:
- Mexico Pacific import and export services
- Asia-Mexico container trade lanes
- Central and western Mexico inland distribution
- Mexico City, Guadalajara, Bajío, Querétaro, Guanajuato, and San Luis Potosí supply chains
- Automotive, machinery, electronics, retail, food, and industrial cargo movement
- Container, reefer, multipurpose, and project cargo handling
- Customs, bonded logistics, warehousing, rail, and trucking networks
- Ocean services connected to Asia, North America, Latin America, Oceania, Europe, and global transshipment hubs
Container Shipping Through Manzanillo
The Port of Manzanillo is Mexico’s main Pacific container gateway. Container services through Manzanillo support import containers, export containers, refrigerated containers, industrial cargo, consumer goods, retail cargo, automotive-related cargo, agricultural cargo, and international container services.
Businesses use Manzanillo for:
- Import containers into western and central Mexico
- Export containers from Mexican manufacturing, agricultural, industrial, and retail supply chains
- Full container load shipments
- Less than container load shipments
- Retail and consumer goods cargo
- eCommerce inventory and marketplace seller cargo
- Electronics, appliances, devices, and components
- Machinery, spare parts, tools, and industrial equipment
- Automotive parts, tires, components, and manufacturing inputs
- Food products, beverages, frozen goods, and chilled goods where service is available
- Agricultural cargo, packaged farm products, food ingredients, and perishables
- Chemicals, plastics, resins, and industrial materials where permitted
- Steel, metals, construction materials, and building products
- Project cargo and non-containerized cargo where suitable
- Cargo moving to or from Manzanillo, Colima, Guadalajara, Zapopan, León, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosí, Mexico City, Toluca, Morelia, Irapuato, Celaya, and other inland logistics hubs
- Shipments connected to Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle/Tacoma, Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Balboa, Colón, Callao, San Antonio, Valparaíso, Guayaquil, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Santos, Buenos Aires, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Qingdao, Busan, Yokohama, Tokyo, Singapore, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Jebel Ali, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Valencia, and Algeciras
For larger shipments, FCL shipping is usually suitable when cargo can fill a 20ft or 40ft container. For smaller shipments, LCL shipping allows businesses to move partial container loads without paying for a full container.
Manzanillo Freight Rates
Freight Shipping Cost from & to Manzanillo for a 20-foot Container
Port Capacity and Terminal Infrastructure
The Port of Manzanillo is a major Pacific seaport with container terminals, multipurpose cargo facilities, refrigerated cargo areas, cargo yards, rail and truck connections, customs infrastructure, warehousing, and logistics zones. The port’s role as Mexico’s leading container gateway makes it especially important for transpacific trade, inland distribution, and international cargo moving through central and western Mexico.
The port’s infrastructure supports:
- Container handling
- Import and export container flows
- FCL and LCL cargo
- International container services
- Refrigerated and temperature-sensitive cargo where service is available
- Reefer container operations
- Multipurpose cargo handling
- Project cargo where terminal service is available
- General cargo handling
- Retail and consumer goods cargo
- eCommerce and wholesale inventory
- Electronics and electrical goods
- Machinery and industrial equipment
- Automotive parts and components
- Food products and beverages
- Agricultural cargo and food ingredients
- Chemicals, plastics, and resins where permitted
- Steel, metals, and construction materials
- Yard and gate operations
- Customs and inspection procedures
- Warehousing and logistics activity
- Rail and trucking connections across Colima, Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosí, the State of Mexico, and Mexico City
This infrastructure makes Manzanillo suitable for containerized freight, Mexico imports and exports, transpacific cargo, automotive supply chains, electronics, retail logistics, machinery, food products, industrial freight, refrigerated cargo, and commercial shipments connected to Pacific and global trade lanes.
Main Cargo Handled Through Manzanillo
The Port of Manzanillo handles a broad mix of containerized cargo, consumer goods, retail inventory, electronics, machinery, automotive parts, industrial equipment, food products, agricultural goods, chemicals where permitted, plastics, steel, construction materials, refrigerated cargo, project cargo, and general commercial freight.
| Cargo Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Containerized imports | Consumer goods, electronics, machinery, spare parts, chemicals, plastics, retail inventory |
| Containerized exports | Food products, agricultural goods, automotive parts, machinery, industrial products, general cargo |
| Electronics cargo | Devices, appliances, components, electrical equipment, consumer electronics |
| Machinery cargo | Industrial equipment, spare parts, factory machinery, tools, production equipment |
| Automotive cargo | Automotive parts, tires, components, accessories, manufacturing inputs |
| Food and beverage cargo | Packaged food, beverages, chilled or frozen goods where service is available |
| Agricultural cargo | Packaged farm products, food ingredients, perishables, agricultural inputs |
| Retail cargo | Store inventory, household goods, fashion goods, seasonal products, packaged consumer products |
| eCommerce cargo | Marketplace inventory, fulfillment stock, consolidated commercial shipments |
| Chemical and plastic cargo | Packaged chemicals, resins, plastic products, industrial chemicals where permitted |
| Steel and metals cargo | Steel products, metal parts, coils, beams, pipes, industrial materials |
| Construction cargo | Building materials, fixtures, hardware, cement-related products, packaged construction goods |
| Refrigerated cargo | Frozen food, chilled products, perishables, temperature-sensitive cargo where service is available |
| Project cargo | Oversized cargo, machinery, industrial units, non-containerized freight where suitable |
| General cargo | Pallets, cartons, samples, finished goods, mixed commercial freight |
Manzanillo is especially relevant for shippers that need access to Mexico’s Pacific container services, Asia-Mexico trade lanes, central and western Mexico distribution, customs brokerage, bonded logistics, inland trucking, rail connections, manufacturing corridors, retail supply chains, and international ocean freight routes.
Shipping to Manzanillo, Mexico
Importers ship cargo to Manzanillo from Asia, North America, Latin America, Oceania, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and other global trade regions.
Common imports to Manzanillo and inland Mexico include:
- Consumer goods and retail inventory
- eCommerce inventory
- Electronics and components
- Machinery and spare parts
- Industrial equipment
- Automotive parts and accessories
- Raw materials and manufacturing inputs
- Chemicals and plastic materials where permitted
- Food products and beverages
- Frozen and chilled goods where service is available
- Packaging materials
- Construction materials
- Steel and metal products
- Furniture and home goods
- Apparel, textiles, and footwear
- Pharmaceuticals and healthcare products where permitted
- General cargo
- Commercial freight
- Project cargo where suitable
When shipping to Manzanillo, importers should compare total landed cost rather than only the ocean freight rate. Total landed cost may include origin charges, sea freight, destination charges, Mexican customs duty, VAT or other taxes where applicable, terminal handling, customs broker fees, documentation fees, storage, demurrage, detention, trucking, rail charges, inspection fees where applicable, inland delivery, and cargo insurance.
Use the iContainers ocean freight calculator to estimate shipping costs and compare available freight options.
Shipping From Manzanillo, Mexico
Exporters use Manzanillo for cargo moving from Colima, Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosí, Mexico City, the State of Mexico, and other Mexican production or distribution areas to Asia, North America, Latin America, Oceania, Europe, the Middle East, and other international markets.
Common export cargo from Manzanillo and inland Mexico includes:
- Automotive parts and components
- Machinery and spare parts
- Industrial products
- Electronics and electrical equipment
- Food products and beverages
- Agricultural products
- Chemicals and plastic products where permitted
- Steel and metal products
- Packaging materials
- Consumer goods
- Retail merchandise
- Construction materials
- General containerized freight
- Refrigerated cargo where service is available
- Project cargo where suitable
For exporters, the best shipping option depends on cargo volume, commodity type, destination, Incoterm, carrier service, terminal cut-off, rail or truck availability, equipment availability, export documentation, inland pickup location, inspection requirements, commodity restrictions, and required transit time.
FCL is usually more efficient for larger commercial volumes, while LCL can work well for smaller shipments, samples, cartons, pallets, and partial container loads moving through consolidation hubs.
FCL vs LCL Shipping Through Manzanillo
| Shipping Option | Best For | Main Advantage | Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCL shipping | Full 20ft or 40ft container loads | Dedicated container and fewer cargo touchpoints | Best when shipment volume justifies a full container |
| LCL shipping | Smaller shipments, cartons, pallets, samples, partial loads | Pay only for the space used | May involve consolidation or deconsolidation through Manzanillo or another hub |
| Reefer container | Frozen food, chilled cargo, perishables, pharmaceuticals where permitted | Maintains controlled temperature during transit | Requires reefer equipment, plug availability, temperature settings, and correct documentation |
| Transpacific cargo | Imports and exports moving between Mexico and Asia | Strong fit for Pacific trade lanes | Requires carrier schedule checks, equipment planning, and inland routing |
| Automotive cargo | Parts, tires, accessories, manufacturing inputs | Useful for Mexico’s automotive and industrial supply chains | Requires classification, packing, permits where applicable, and delivery planning |
| Electronics cargo | Devices, components, appliances, electrical equipment | Strong fit for import and distribution flows | Requires careful packing, product documentation, and customs classification |
| Machinery and industrial cargo | Machinery, spare parts, tools, equipment, factory inputs | Supports Mexico’s manufacturing and industrial corridors | Requires accurate packing, weight checks, permits where applicable, and cargo descriptions |
| Food and agricultural cargo | Packaged food, beverages, agricultural products, perishables | Useful for import and export supply chains | Requires inspection planning, product documents, and temperature control where applicable |
| Chemical and plastic cargo | Packaged chemicals, resins, plastic products, industrial materials | Supports manufacturing and industrial supply chains | Requires classification, permits, safety documentation, and terminal compatibility |
| Project cargo | Oversized machinery, industrial units, heavy equipment, non-containerized freight | Useful when cargo cannot fit standard containers | Requires lifting plans, dimensions, weight checks, route planning, and handling arrangements |
| General cargo shipping | Consumer goods, electronics, machinery, retail goods, packaged cargo | Flexible for standard commercial freight | Requires accurate packing, labeling, documentation, and cargo details |
For shippers comparing route options, iContainers’ transit time calculator can help estimate shipping times before booking.
Customs Clearance at Manzanillo and Mexico
Cargo imported or exported through Manzanillo must comply with Mexican customs and border requirements. Importers, exporters, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and logistics providers should prepare accurate shipment data before cargo arrival, customs release, bonded transfer, inland delivery, or export departure.
Required data may include product descriptions, HS codes, customs value, country of origin, shipper details, consignee details, importer information, exporter information, tax details, permits where applicable, and supporting documentation.
Commercial shipments through Mexico may require documents such as a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or sea waybill, cargo manifest, pedimento, certificate of origin when required, import permit or export permit when applicable, insurance certificate, and product-specific certificates or inspection documents.
Regulated goods such as food products, agricultural goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, electronics, batteries, hazardous cargo, timber products, plants, animals, vehicles, textiles, dual-use goods, waste products, and restricted items may require additional permits, inspection, testing, certification, safety documentation, sanitary or phytosanitary clearance, product compliance records, or agency authorization under Mexican rules.
For more general guidance, read iContainers’ guide to customs clearance.
Documents Needed for Shipping Through Manzanillo
Most commercial ocean freight shipments to or from Manzanillo require:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or sea waybill
- Cargo manifest
- Pedimento
- Customs declaration or customs entry documentation
- HS code or product classification
- Importer details, when importing into Mexico
- Exporter details, when exporting from Mexico
- Consignee and shipper details
- Tax identification details, when applicable
- Certificate of origin, when required
- Import permit or export permit, when applicable
- Import authorization or agency approval, when applicable
- Delivery order or cargo release documents
- Insurance certificate, when applicable
- Inspection certificate, when applicable
- Product conformity documents, when applicable
- NOM compliance documentation, when applicable
- Food safety documents, when applicable
- Sanitary or phytosanitary certificates, when applicable
- Health certificate, when applicable
- Veterinary certificate, when applicable
- Agricultural documentation, when applicable
- Chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, medical device, electronics, textile, timber, or vehicle documentation, when applicable
- Dangerous goods declaration, when applicable
- Safety data sheet, for chemicals or hazardous cargo
- Battery documentation, when applicable
- Customs broker authorization, when using a customs broker
- Inland transport documents, when cargo moves by truck, rail, warehouse transfer, bonded logistics transfer, or final delivery
Documentation should be complete and consistent before cargo arrival, customs release, inland transfer, or export departure. Incorrect HS codes, incomplete product descriptions, missing permits, inaccurate invoices, inconsistent consignee details, late customs filings, missing inspection documents, unclear cargo values, or missing agency approvals can delay clearance and increase costs.
Common Shipping Routes for Manzanillo
Manzanillo connects Mexico’s Pacific Coast and inland markets with Asian, North American, Latin American, Oceanian, European, and global trade lanes through container services, transshipment networks, rail connections, trucking, and inland logistics.
| Trade Lane | Common Cargo |
|---|---|
| Asia to Manzanillo | Electronics, machinery, consumer goods, apparel, furniture, retail inventory, industrial inputs |
| China to Manzanillo | Electronics, machinery, components, consumer goods, eCommerce inventory, industrial materials |
| Japan and Korea to Manzanillo | Automotive parts, electronics, machinery, industrial equipment, components |
| North America to Manzanillo | Machinery, food products, chemicals where permitted, automotive parts, consumer goods |
| Pacific South America to Manzanillo | Food products, industrial cargo, consumer goods, machinery, regional freight |
| Europe to Manzanillo | Machinery, beverages, industrial cargo, pharmaceuticals where permitted, consumer goods |
| Manzanillo to Asia | Food products, agricultural goods, automotive parts, industrial cargo, general freight |
| Manzanillo to North America | Industrial goods, food products, automotive parts, machinery, general cargo |
| Manzanillo to Latin America | Retail cargo, food products, machinery, industrial goods, general cargo |
| Manzanillo to Europe | Food products, automotive parts, industrial goods, machinery, general freight |
| Manzanillo to Oceania | Machinery, food products, industrial goods, general cargo |
Routing may involve direct ocean services, feeder services, rail, trucking, inland delivery, or transshipment through Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Ensenada, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle/Tacoma, Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Balboa, Colón, Callao, San Antonio, Valparaíso, Guayaquil, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Santos, Buenos Aires, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Qingdao, Busan, Yokohama, Tokyo, Singapore, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Jebel Ali, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Valencia, and Algeciras depending on carrier schedule, cargo type, terminal availability, inland destination, and final delivery requirements.
When Should You Use Manzanillo Instead of Another Mexican Port?
Manzanillo can be suitable when:
- The cargo origin or destination is in Colima, Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosí, Mexico City, the State of Mexico, or nearby inland markets
- The shipment needs access to Mexico’s leading Pacific container gateway
- The cargo is moving between Mexico and Asia or other Pacific trade lanes
- The shipment benefits from Manzanillo’s container terminals, reefer services, customs access, rail connections, trucking networks, warehousing, or bonded logistics options
- Inland pickup or delivery is more efficient through Manzanillo than through Lázaro Cárdenas, Ensenada, Veracruz, Altamira, or another Mexican gateway
- The shipment involves consumer goods, electronics, machinery, automotive parts, food products, agricultural cargo, retail inventory, eCommerce cargo, chemicals, plastics, steel, construction materials, or general commercial freight
- Carrier schedule, terminal availability, equipment availability, reefer capacity, trucking cost, rail access, customs process, and landed cost are better through Manzanillo
Another Mexican port may be more suitable when cargo is closer to a different gateway or when a specific carrier service, inland corridor, terminal, or commodity flow provides a better total cost. Lázaro Cárdenas may be suitable for some Pacific and industrial cargo depending on rail routing and terminal availability. Veracruz may be better for Gulf, Atlantic, European, Caribbean, and central/eastern Mexico cargo flows. Altamira may be better for northeastern Mexico, petrochemical, and Gulf-connected cargo. Ensenada may be suitable for some Baja California and northern Mexico flows.
The right port choice should be based on total landed cost, cargo origin, inland distance, terminal availability, current operational status, sailing schedule, commodity type, customs requirements, service frequency, rail and trucking capacity, warehouse availability, and required delivery date.
How to Get an Ocean Freight Quote for Manzanillo
To get a freight quote to or from Manzanillo, prepare the following details:
- Origin and destination
- Port-to-port, door-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-door requirement
- Cargo weight and dimensions
- Number of pallets, cartons, boxes, containers, or shipment units
- FCL, LCL, reefer, general cargo, hazardous cargo, machinery cargo, chemical cargo, industrial cargo, food cargo, agricultural cargo, retail cargo, eCommerce cargo, automotive cargo, project cargo, or temperature-controlled cargo preference
- Commodity description and HS code, if available
- Cargo ready date
- Incoterm
- Supplier, warehouse, factory, farm, production site, distribution center, rail terminal, or inland pickup address, if exporting
- Final delivery address, if importing or arranging door delivery
- Customs clearance requirements
- Import permit, export permit, product permit, NOM requirement, or agency requirement, if applicable
- Product inspection, sanitary, phytosanitary, agriculture, health, customs, or other agency requirements, if applicable
- Special handling requirements, such as reefer cargo, hazardous cargo, chemicals, lithium batteries, food products, pharmaceuticals, temperature control, oversized cargo, customs inspection, product testing, high-value cargo, or project cargo requirements
- Preferred carrier, terminal, trucking provider, rail provider, customs broker, warehouse, bonded logistics facility, or transshipment hub, if already specified
With iContainers, businesses can compare ocean freight options online, review available rates, and manage international shipments through a digital booking process.
FAQ About the Port of Manzanillo
The Port of Manzanillo is located in Manzanillo, Colima, on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
The UN/LOCODE for Manzanillo is MXZLO.
Manzanillo is best known for containerized cargo, consumer goods, electronics, machinery, automotive parts, industrial cargo, food products, agricultural cargo, chemicals where permitted, plastics, refrigerated cargo, and general commercial freight.
Yes. Manzanillo is Mexico’s leading Pacific container gateway and one of the country’s most important ports for cargo moving between Mexico and Asia.
Manzanillo can serve Colima, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosí, Mexico City, the State of Mexico, and other inland markets depending on rail, trucking, warehousing, customs, and final delivery arrangements.