The Puerto Quetzal to Oakland trade lane connects Guatemala's largest Pacific port with the San Francisco Bay Area's primary container terminal. While not as high-volume as trans-Pacific routes, this lane serves growing Central America-to-US trade, particularly for agricultural products, textiles, and manufactured goods.
Route Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin Port | Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala (Pacific coast) |
| Destination Port | Port of Oakland, California |
| Typical Transit | 7-12 days (direct), 14-21 days (transshipment) |
| Frequency | 1-2 direct sailings/week, more via transshipment |
| Key Cargo | Textiles, agricultural products, coffee, manufactured goods |
Carrier Options
| Carrier | Service Type | Transit | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maersk | Direct + Transshipment | 8-12 days | 1-2/week | Primary carrier on this lane |
| CMA CGM | Transshipment via Lazaro Cardenas | 14-18 days | Weekly | Competitive rates |
| Hapag-Lloyd | Transshipment via Manzanillo | 14-21 days | Weekly | Reliable |
| ONE | Transshipment via Balboa | 15-20 days | Weekly | Flexible |
| ZIM | Transshipment via Kingston | 16-22 days | Weekly | Specialized cargo |
Most services involve transshipment through Mexican or Panamanian hubs. Direct services are limited but faster.
Transshipment Hubs
| Hub Port | Country | Typical Delay | Carriers Using Hub |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lazaro Cardenas | Mexico | 2-4 days | CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd |
| Manzanillo | Mexico | 3-5 days | Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM |
| Balboa | Panama | 3-5 days | ONE, COSCO |
| Kingston | Jamaica | 4-6 days | ZIM |
Oakland Port Information
The Port of Oakland is the fourth-busiest container port in the US, serving Northern California and the Pacific Northwest:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Throughput | ~2.4 million TEU |
| Terminal Operators | SSA Marine, TraPac |
| Rail Connection | BNSF, Union Pacific |
| Nearest Amazon FC | OAK3 (Oakland, CA) |
| Drayage to OAK3 | 15-30 minutes, $250-350 |
Cargo Considerations
Agricultural products: Guatemala exports significant volumes of coffee, bananas, and cardamom. These require reefer containers and phytosanitary certificates.
Textiles: CAFTA-DR eligible goods benefit from duty-free treatment. Ensure proper documentation including certificate of origin.
For comparison with trans-Pacific routes, see our FCL vs LCL Shipping Guide.
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How long does shipping take from Puerto Quetzal to Oakland? Direct service: 7-12 days. Transshipment via Mexican or Panamanian hubs: 14-21 days. Always check current schedules as direct services are limited.
Which carriers serve Puerto Quetzal to Oakland directly? Maersk offers the most direct services on this lane. Other carriers typically transship through Lazaro Cardenas (Mexico) or Balboa (Panama).
Can I ship LCL from Puerto Quetzal to Oakland? Yes, LCL is available with weekly consolidations. Transit time is 18-25 days due to consolidation and transshipment. Minimum charge is typically 1 CBM.
