Port of Sihanoukville
The Port of Sihanoukville, officially known as Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, is Cambodia’s main deep-sea international commercial port. It is located in Sihanoukville, also known as Kampong Saom, on the Gulf of Thailand. The port serves Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Cambodia’s industrial zones, garment factories, agricultural exporters, construction projects, importers, exporters, logistics providers, and regional trade lanes connected to Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, Africa, and global container networks. The port’s UN/LOCODE is KHKOS.
Sihanoukville handles containers, general cargo, breakbulk cargo, refrigerated cargo, garments, footwear, agricultural products, rice, rubber, cassava, machinery, vehicles, construction materials, food products, consumer goods, chemicals, industrial inputs, project cargo, and commercial freight. It is especially important for Cambodia’s international trade because it is the country’s primary maritime gateway for ocean freight.
The port is operated by Sihanoukville Autonomous Port and supports container shipping, general cargo operations, logistics activity, port-related warehousing, and connections to inland economic zones. Its location on Cambodia’s coast makes it a strategic gateway for cargo moving between Cambodia and global markets.
Port of Sihanoukville Overview
| Port Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Port name | Port of Sihanoukville / Sihanoukville Autonomous Port / Kampong Saom Port |
| Country | Cambodia |
| Region | Sihanoukville / Preah Sihanouk Province / Gulf of Thailand |
| UN/LOCODE | KHKOS |
| Port type | Seaport / deep-sea port / container port / multipurpose port |
| Port operator | Sihanoukville Autonomous Port |
| Main terminal areas | Container terminal, general cargo berths, multipurpose cargo areas, logistics and port service zones |
| Main cargo focus | Containers, garments, agricultural products, consumer goods, construction materials, machinery, vehicles, industrial cargo |
| Main terminal types | Container terminal, multipurpose berths, general cargo handling areas, breakbulk facilities, reefer facilities |
| Cargo types | Containers, garments, footwear, rice, rubber, cassava, machinery, vehicles, food products, refrigerated cargo, project cargo |
| Suitable for | Importers, exporters, freight forwarders, manufacturers, retailers, garment exporters, agricultural exporters, construction companies, project cargo shippers |
Why Ship Through the Port of Sihanoukville?
Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s key maritime gateway and the main port option for ocean freight moving directly by sea. Its location on the Gulf of Thailand gives shippers access to international container services, regional feeder connections, and inland transport routes toward Phnom Penh and Cambodia’s main production and consumption centers.
For importers, Sihanoukville provides access to Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, garment factories, warehouses, retailers, industrial users, construction sites, and distribution networks across Cambodia. For exporters, the port supports cargo moving from Cambodian manufacturing zones and agricultural production areas to Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, Africa, and other global markets.
The port is especially relevant for businesses shipping containers, garments, footwear, textiles, rice, rubber, cassava, food products, machinery, vehicles, construction materials, industrial supplies, refrigerated products, and general commercial freight.
Container Shipping Through Sihanoukville
The Port of Sihanoukville supports containerized import and export cargo, as well as regional and international cargo flows. It is Cambodia’s principal maritime container gateway and connects Cambodian cargo with regional transshipment hubs and long-haul shipping networks.
Businesses use Sihanoukville for:
- Import containers into Cambodia
- Export containers from Cambodia
- Full container load shipments
- Less than container load shipments
- Garment, footwear, and textile cargo
- Agricultural exports, including rice, rubber, cassava, and food products
- Machinery, vehicles, construction materials, industrial supplies, and consumer goods
- Reefer containers for frozen goods, chilled goods, seafood, food products, pharmaceuticals, and temperature-sensitive cargo
- Cargo moving to or from Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Kampot, Kampong Speu, Takeo, Kandal, Battambang, Siem Reap, Bavet, Poipet, and Cambodian industrial zones
- Shipments connected to Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Europe, North America, Oceania, Africa, and wider global container trade lanes
- Cargo connecting through regional hubs such as Singapore, Port Klang, Laem Chabang, Cai Mep, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Tanjung Pelepas, Busan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Kaohsiung, Colombo, Jebel Ali, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Los Angeles, and Long Beach
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.
Sihanoukville Freight Rates
Freight Shipping Cost from & to Sihanoukville for a 20-foot Container
Port Capacity and Terminal Infrastructure
The Port of Sihanoukville has container, general cargo, breakbulk, reefer, customs, gate, yard, warehousing, and inland logistics infrastructure serving Cambodia’s international trade. The port covers approximately 125 hectares of land area and is Cambodia’s sole international commercial deep-sea port.
The port’s infrastructure supports:
- Container handling
- Import and export container flows
- General cargo handling
- Breakbulk cargo operations
- Reefer container operations
- Garment and textile export logistics
- Agricultural export logistics
- Machinery and vehicle cargo
- Construction material cargo
- Yard and gate operations
- Port warehousing and logistics activity
- Customs clearance and inspection processes
- Trucking and inland delivery
- Connections with Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, industrial zones, border trade corridors, and inland Cambodian markets
This infrastructure makes Sihanoukville suitable for containerized freight and commercial cargo, especially shipments connected to Cambodian manufacturing, garment exports, agricultural products, construction, consumer goods, industrial supply chains, and international container shipping services.
Main Cargo Handled Through Sihanoukville
The Port of Sihanoukville handles a broad mix of containerized cargo, garments, footwear, textiles, agricultural products, machinery, vehicles, construction materials, industrial inputs, consumer goods, refrigerated cargo, general cargo, and project cargo.
| Cargo Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Containerized imports | Machinery, consumer goods, vehicles, construction materials, packaging, chemicals, industrial inputs |
| Containerized exports | Garments, footwear, textiles, rice, rubber, cassava, food products, manufactured goods |
| Garment and textile cargo | Apparel, fabrics, footwear, accessories, finished garments, production inputs |
| Agricultural cargo | Rice, rubber, cassava, cashew products, processed food, agricultural inputs |
| Food and beverage cargo | Dry food, chilled food, frozen food, beverages, food ingredients, seafood |
| Machinery cargo | Factory equipment, spare parts, tools, industrial machinery, production equipment |
| Vehicle cargo | Cars, trucks, wheeled equipment, automotive parts, replacement components |
| Construction cargo | Steel products, cement-related cargo, building materials, fixtures, project materials |
| Consumer goods | Household goods, electronics, appliances, retail products, packaged goods |
| Refrigerated cargo | Frozen goods, chilled goods, seafood, pharmaceuticals, temperature-sensitive products |
| Breakbulk cargo | Oversized cargo, machinery, steel, non-containerized freight, project materials |
| Project cargo | Heavy equipment, infrastructure cargo, industrial equipment, specialized freight |
Sihanoukville is especially relevant for shippers that need access to Cambodia’s main seaport, Phnom Penh logistics corridors, garment production zones, agricultural export regions, construction projects, and regional container shipping networks.
Shipping to Sihanoukville Cambodia
Importers ship cargo to Sihanoukville from Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa, Oceania, and other global trade regions.
Common imports to Sihanoukville and Cambodia include:
- Machinery and spare parts
- Industrial equipment
- Garment and footwear production inputs
- Textile materials and fabrics
- Vehicles and automotive parts
- Consumer goods and retail inventory
- Food products and beverages
- Refrigerated cargo
- Construction materials
- Steel products
- Packaging materials
- Plastic materials and inputs
- Chemicals and industrial supplies
- Medical and healthcare products
- Manufacturing inputs
- General cargo
- Project cargo and oversized equipment
When shipping to Sihanoukville, importers should compare total landed cost rather than only the ocean freight rate. Total landed cost may include origin charges, sea freight, destination charges, customs duty, Cambodian VAT or applicable taxes, terminal handling, customs broker fees, documentation fees, storage, demurrage, detention, trucking, inland delivery, inspection fees, and cargo insurance.
Use the iContainers ocean freight calculator to estimate shipping costs and compare available freight options.
Shipping From Sihanoukville Cambodia
Exporters use Sihanoukville for cargo moving from Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Cambodian industrial zones, garment factories, agricultural production areas, warehouses, manufacturers, and inland logistics corridors to Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, Africa, and other international markets.
Common export cargo from Sihanoukville includes:
- Garments and apparel
- Footwear
- Textiles
- Rice
- Rubber
- Cassava
- Processed food
- Seafood and refrigerated goods
- Agricultural products
- Wood and paper-related products, where permitted
- Machinery and spare parts
- Industrial products
- Consumer goods
- Packaged commercial goods
- Project cargo
- Breakbulk cargo
- Containerized freight
- General commercial cargo
For exporters, the best shipping option depends on cargo volume, product type, destination, Incoterm, sailing schedule, terminal choice, equipment availability, customs documentation, inland pickup location, temperature-control needs, 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.
FCL vs LCL Shipping Through Sihanoukville Cambodia
| 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 Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh, Singapore, Port Klang, Laem Chabang, Cai Mep, or another hub |
| Reefer container | Food products, frozen goods, chilled goods, seafood, pharmaceuticals | Keeps cargo at controlled temperature | Requires equipment availability, plug capacity, temperature settings, and correct documentation |
| General cargo shipping | Pallets, cartons, equipment, mixed commercial freight | Flexible for non-specialized commercial cargo | Requires correct handling, packing, and documentation |
| Breakbulk shipping | Machinery, steel, oversized cargo, industrial equipment | Useful for cargo not suitable for standard containers | Requires special handling and early coordination |
| Garment export shipping | Apparel, footwear, textiles, accessories | Supports Cambodia’s garment and textile export sector | Requires accurate packing, origin, buyer, and export documentation |
| Agricultural export shipping | Rice, rubber, cassava, processed food, refrigerated goods | Useful for Cambodian agricultural exporters | May require sanitary, phytosanitary, quality, or origin documentation |
| Project cargo | Heavy or complex industrial shipments | Supports infrastructure and construction projects | Needs coordination with carrier, terminal, customs broker, and inland transport |
For shippers comparing route options, iContainers’ transit time calculator can help estimate shipping times before booking.
Customs Clearance at Sihanoukville and Cambodia
Cargo imported or exported through Sihanoukville must comply with Cambodian customs requirements. Importers and exporters should prepare accurate shipment data before cargo arrival or departure, including product descriptions, HS codes, customs value, country of origin, consignee details, shipper details, importer information, exporter information, and supporting documentation.
Commercial shipments through Sihanoukville may require documents such as a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or sea waybill, customs declaration, certificate of origin, import permit or export permit when applicable, insurance certificate, inspection certificate, and product-specific regulatory documents.
Regulated goods such as food products, agricultural goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, vehicles, batteries, hazardous cargo, plants, animals, and restricted items may require additional permits, inspection, testing, conformity documentation, sanitary approval, phytosanitary approval, safety documentation, or agency authorization under Cambodian rules.
For more general guidance, read iContainers’ guide to customs clearance.
Documents Needed for Shipping Through Sihanoukville Cambodia
Most commercial ocean freight shipments to or from Sihanoukville require:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or sea waybill
- Import or export customs declaration
- HS code and product description
- Importer of record details, when importing into Cambodia
- Exporter details, when exporting from Cambodia
- Certificate of origin, when required
- Import permit or export permit, when applicable
- Inspection certificate, when applicable
- Insurance certificate, when applicable
- Tax registration or company registration documents, when applicable
- Dangerous goods declaration, when applicable
- Safety data sheet, for regulated chemicals or hazardous cargo
- Product conformity documents, when applicable
- Phytosanitary certificate, when applicable
- Veterinary certificate, when applicable
- Food safety or agricultural documents, when applicable
- Vehicle documentation, when applicable
- Project cargo permits, when applicable
- Delivery order or cargo release documents
- Customs broker authorization, when using a customs broker
- Inland transport documents, when cargo moves by truck or another inland mode
Documentation should be complete and consistent before cargo arrival or departure. Incorrect HS codes, incomplete cargo descriptions, missing permits, inaccurate invoices, inconsistent consignee details, missing inspection documents, or late customs data can delay customs clearance and increase costs.
Common Shipping Routes for Sihanoukville Cambodia
Sihanoukville connects Cambodia with Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Europe, North America, Oceania, Africa, and wider global trade lanes through direct services, feeder services, trucking, and transshipment networks.
| Trade Lane | Common Cargo |
|---|---|
| Southeast Asia to Sihanoukville | Consumer goods, machinery, food products, packaging, industrial inputs |
| East Asia to Sihanoukville | Electronics, machinery, vehicles, textiles, consumer goods, construction materials |
| Indian Subcontinent to Sihanoukville | Textiles, fabrics, food products, machinery, chemicals, consumer goods |
| Europe to Sihanoukville | Machinery, vehicles, chemicals, medical goods, specialist products |
| North America to Sihanoukville | Machinery, vehicles, medical goods, food products, industrial inputs |
| Oceania to Sihanoukville | Food products, agricultural cargo, refrigerated goods, raw materials |
| Sihanoukville to Southeast Asia | Garments, footwear, agricultural products, food products, commercial cargo |
| Sihanoukville to East Asia | Garments, footwear, rice, rubber, cassava, manufactured goods |
| Sihanoukville to Europe | Garments, footwear, textiles, rice, rubber, food products |
| Sihanoukville to North America | Apparel, footwear, textiles, consumer goods, agricultural products |
| Sihanoukville to Oceania | Garments, food products, agricultural cargo, general freight |
| Sihanoukville to Africa | Consumer goods, machinery, construction materials, commercial freight |
Routing may involve direct ocean services, feeder services, trucking, or transshipment through Singapore, Port Klang, Laem Chabang, Cai Mep, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Tanjung Pelepas, Busan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Kaohsiung, Colombo, Jebel Ali, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Sydney, Melbourne, and other hubs depending on carrier schedule, cargo type, and final destination.
When Should You Use Sihanoukville Instead of Another Cambodian Gateway?
Sihanoukville can be suitable when:
- The cargo origin or destination is in Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh, Kampot, Kampong Speu, Kandal, Takeo, Battambang, Siem Reap, or another Cambodian inland market
- The shipment needs Cambodia’s main deep-sea international commercial port
- The cargo is containerized and suitable for FCL or LCL shipping
- The shipment involves garments, footwear, textiles, agricultural products, machinery, consumer goods, vehicles, construction materials, refrigerated cargo, general cargo, or project cargo
- Ocean freight access is more practical than moving cargo through a neighboring country by road
- The shipper needs container, general cargo, breakbulk, reefer, trucking, or port logistics capability
- The shipment benefits from access to Cambodian industrial zones, garment factories, agricultural exporters, retail distribution, or inland logistics corridors
Another Cambodian or regional gateway may be more suitable when cargo moves primarily by land through Thailand, Vietnam, or Laos, or when a specific supply chain requires border trucking, bonded movement, or a regional hub outside Cambodia. Phnom Penh may also be relevant for inland river and logistics activity, depending on the shipment route and cargo requirements.
The right port choice should be based on total landed cost, sailing schedule, inland distance, customs requirements, cargo type, equipment availability, terminal capability, storage needs, reefer requirements, and required delivery date.
How to Get an Ocean Freight Quote for Sihanoukville Cambodia
To get a freight quote to or from Sihanoukville, 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, vehicles, trailers, or containers
- FCL, LCL, reefer, breakbulk, general cargo, hazardous, garment export, agricultural cargo, or project cargo preference
- Commodity description and HS code, if available
- Cargo ready date
- Incoterm
- Customs clearance requirements
- Final pickup or delivery address, if needed
- Inland movement requirement, such as trucking, warehouse delivery, factory pickup, industrial zone delivery, agricultural collection, refrigerated delivery, or distribution center delivery
- Special handling requirements, such as reefer cargo, hazardous cargo, batteries, temperature control, oversized cargo, customs inspection, product inspection, or high-value cargo
- Preferred carrier, terminal, trucking provider, customs broker, feeder service, 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 Sihanoukville
The Port of Sihanoukville is located in Sihanoukville, also known as Kampong Saom, in Preah Sihanouk Province on Cambodia’s Gulf of Thailand coast.
The UN/LOCODE for the Port of Sihanoukville is KHKOS.
Common cargo includes containers, garments, footwear, textiles, rice, rubber, cassava, machinery, vehicles, construction materials, food products, refrigerated cargo, general cargo, and project cargo.
The port is operated by Sihanoukville Autonomous Port.
Sihanoukville serves Preah Sihanouk Province, Phnom Penh, Cambodian industrial zones, garment production areas, agricultural exporters, inland logistics corridors, and wider Cambodian markets.