# Charleston (US CHS)

**UN/LOCODE:** US CHS  
**Country:** United States  
**Water Body:** North Atlantic Ocean  
**Harbor Size:** Small  
**Harbor Type:** River (Natural)  
**GPS:** 32.7833, -79.9167

Operated by the South Carolina Ports Authority, Charleston ranks among the busiest container gateways on the US East Coast, moving roughly 2.8 million TEU a year despite its modest formal harbor rating. Volume is spread across several terminals: Wando Welch handles about 80 % of containers (capacity around 2.4 million TEU), complemented by the North Charleston Terminal and the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal, opened in 2021. Following the 2022 harbor deepening to roughly 16 m, fully laden Neopanamax vessels can call at any tide. For forwarders, the port offers a large refrigerated-container yard for reefer cargo and strong export flows, including BMW vehicles from Spartanburg, tyres and agricultural goods. Hinterland reach runs through Palmetto Railways and two inland ports at Greer and Dillon, connecting much of the US Southeast by rail. Customs clearance is handled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Area Port of Charleston. For the same market, Savannah (Georgia Ports Authority) and Norfolk (Virginia) are the principal alternatives.

## Transit Times & Routes

- [Los Angeles → Shanghai](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/los-angeles-shanghai)
- [Los Angeles → Shenzhen](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/los-angeles-shenzhen)
- [Los Angeles → Guangzhou](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/los-angeles-guangzhou)
- [Los Angeles → Hong Kong](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/los-angeles-hong-kong)
- [Los Angeles → Tokyo](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/los-angeles-tokyo)
- [Los Angeles → Busan](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/los-angeles-busan)

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*Freight Academy — Seaport Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/charleston-port-us-chs](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/charleston-port-us-chs)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/seaports/en/charleston-port-us-chs](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/seaports/en/charleston-port-us-chs)*

*LLM-Summary (JSON): https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/seaports/charleston-port-us-chs/llm-summary?lang=en*