In 2024, Port Houston handled almost 300 billion tons of cargo.
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Port of Entry
Port Houston
Ports of entry within the state of Texas accounted for over $1 trillion in international trade in 2024. Texas has 32 official ports of entry that serve as critical gateways to global trade. Each port — whether an airport, land port or seaport — serves many domestic and international economic activities across multiple industries. Each Texas port plays a distinctive role in the state’s transportation network and contributes to the state and local economies.
Port Houston’s contributions to the Texas economy include:
Total trade (2024) $223.5 Billion
Direct and indirect employment 1,319,413
gross domestic product $171.1 Billion
About Port Houston
Port Houston is one of 23 seaports along Texas’ 367-mile Gulf Coast. Port Houston owns and operates the public wharves and shipping terminals along the Houston Shipping Channel. The Houston Shipping Channel is the largest port in the U.S. for waterborne tonnage.
Of Texas’ total international trade, 40 percent, or $429.4 billion, traveled through the state’s seaports. In 2024, Port Houston accounted for 52 percent of all seaport trade through Texas.
Port Houston: All Trade, 2003 to 2024
Data for All Trade
| Year | Imports | Exports | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | $22.6 | $27.3 | $49.9 |
| 2004 | $29.5 | $36.6 | $66.1 |
| 2005 | $34.9 | $51.3 | $86.2 |
| 2006 | $41.9 | $61.1 | $103.0 |
| 2007 | $53.8 | $61.1 | $114.9 |
| 2008 | $68.8 | $79.0 | $147.8 |
| 2009 | $57.7 | $48.5 | $106.2 |
| 2010 | $70.7 | $60.3 | $131.0 |
| 2011 | $88.7 | $80.5 | $169.1 |
| 2012 | $93.2 | $83.4 | $176.6 |
| 2013 | $94.2 | $74.4 | $168.5 |
| 2014 | $92.0 | $75.2 | $167.2 |
| 2015 | $76.8 | $59.8 | $136.6 |
| 2016 | $63.0 | $49.7 | $112.7 |
| 2017 | $71.8 | $59.9 | $131.6 |
| 2018 | $89.4 | $69.5 | $158.9 |
| 2019 | $92.5 | $64.5 | $156.9 |
| 2020 | $73.3 | $52.4 | $125.7 |
| 2021 | $95.2 | $75.7 | $170.9 |
| 2022 | $136.0 | $109.6 | $245.6 |
| 2023 | $125.3 | $102.9 | $228.1 |
| 2024 | $129.9 | $93.7 | $223.5 |
Total trade through Port Houston was $223.5 billion in 2024, up 42 percent from 2019. Port Houston was a net exporter by trade value in 2024, seeing $129.9 billion in exports and $93.7 billion in imports.
| Port Houston | |||
| Top Imports: | Motor Fuels, machinery & mechanical appliances, electric machinery & equipment, Iron & Steel | ||
| Top Exports: | Mineral Fuels, organic chemicals, Plastics, machinery & mechanical appliances, | ||
| Top Trading Partners: | Mexico, China, Netherlands | ||
Top Export and Import Trading Partners, 2024
Exports
Destination Data
| Country | Exports Value (in billions) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $12.9 | 10% |
| Mexico | $10.8 | 8% |
| China | $8.8 | 7% |
| Brazil | $7.5 | 6% |
| Japan | $7.0 | 5% |
| Other | $82.9 | 64% |
| Total | $129.9 |
The Netherlands and Mexico were the top export destinations from Port Houston in 2024.
Imports
Import Origin Data
| Country | Imports Value (in billions) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $16.7 | 18% |
| Germany | $6.0 | 6% |
| Korea, South | $5.9 | 6% |
| India | $5.3 | 6% |
| Vietnam | $4.4 | 5% |
| Other | $55.5 | 59% |
| Total | $93.9 |
China comprised nearly a fifth of all imports to Port Houston.
KELLY HANCOCK
The Port of Houston is one of 29 official Texas Ports of Entry.
See a select list of ports, plus more in-depth regional data.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the material on this page, please contact the Comptroller’s Data Analysis and Transparency Division.