Logistics services in American Samoa.

American Samoa logistics overview: modes, trade and gateways

American Samoa is an island economy with goods moving in and out mainly by sea and air. Pago Pago Harbor is the key seaport, handled as a small port with cargo pier depth of about 15.5 m, and it also has an oil terminal. Pago Pago International Airport (PPG) provides scheduled air connections, supported by a total of three airports in the territory.

Containerized cargo capacity is about 76,200 TEU per year, and liner shipping connectivity is measured at about 8.09. Several global container lines maintain offices in Pago Pago, including ANL, APL, CMA CGM, Maersk, Matson, and ONE. Shippers can arrange both sea freight through the main harbor and air freight via PPG, depending on cargo urgency and value.

When selecting freight forwarders in American Samoa, shippers should align services with the territory’s single main gateway, Pago Pago Harbor, and its modest container volume of about 76,200 TEU. Forwarders should have strong working relationships with the global lines present in Pago Pago, such as ANL, APL, CMA CGM, Maersk, Matson, and ONE, to secure space and schedules.

Trade is concentrated with partners like Australia, the UK, Tanzania, the UAE, and Senegal on the export side, and Singapore, New Zealand, Fiji, Taiwan, and Malaysia on the import side. Forwarders familiar with these routes and regional hubs in East Asia & Pacific can better coordinate transshipments. The world median LPI customs score is about 2.6, so shippers should confirm how a forwarder manages document accuracy and status updates for customs clearance.

Containerized FCL and LCL shipping from and to American Samoa runs through Pago Pago Harbor, the country’s only listed port. The harbor is classified as small, with cargo pier depth of about 15.5 m, suitable for container vessels serving island trades. The territory handles about 76,200 TEU per year, placing it 134th of 168 globally and 24th of 33 in East Asia & Pacific.

Liner shipping connectivity is about 8.09, ranking 113th of 169 worldwide and 22nd of 34 in the region. Several major shipping lines, including ANL, APL, CMA CGM, Maersk, Matson, and ONE, maintain offices in Pago Pago and serve the harbor. These carriers link American Samoa’s exports of animal meal, aluminum, refined petroleum, gas turbines, and broadcasting equipment with markets such as Australia, the UK, Tanzania, the UAE, and Senegal.

American Samoa is not landlocked and relies on maritime and air access rather than cross-border road corridors. Pago Pago Harbor and Pago Pago International Airport serve as the main entry and exit points for goods.

No international rail or road connections to neighboring countries are involved in standard freight movements. Inland distribution relies on local road transport between the harbor, airport, and consignees within the territory.

Customs clearance in American Samoa occurs in a small, open island economy that is not a WTO member. Exports were about 394 million USD in 2025, with imports at about 678 million USD, indicating a trade structure where reliable import processing matters for local supply.

The World Bank Logistics Performance Index world median customs score is 2.6, giving a general benchmark for comparing border procedures. For documentation, shippers should always provide at least a commercial invoice, packing list and the relevant transport document when planning shipments to or from American Samoa.