Port of San Diego is a key vehicle export location serving San Diego, California. Southern California RoRo and breakbulk gateway with National City vehicle processing facilities.
Export routes from San Diego
Regular RoRo and container services from San Diego connect to Pacific, Hawaii, Oceania, and other global destinations depending on carrier schedule.
Terminals and carriers
Terminals: National City Marine Terminal; Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal
RoRo / shipping lines: Pasha, Grimaldi, breakbulk RoRo
Fuel level rules at New Zealand export ports
Trans-Tasman and deep-sea carriers loading at New Zealand ports typically require a low fuel level — often between one-quarter tank and empty — and will reject vehicles that are leaking or over-filled. Container exports and some RoRo sailings require a fully empty tank. Always confirm your carrier's cut-off and fuel rule before delivery.
If your vehicle is above the allowed level, or your forwarder requires a documented empty tank, EEK drains the tank and fuel lines, records litres removed, and disposes via licensed carriers — so you arrive at the port gate compliant.
Why book pre-export drain before San Diego
- Gate compliance — avoid turn-away, demurrage, and emergency siphon charges at the port compound.
- Documented removal — litres drained recorded for your export paperwork and carrier check-in.
- Licensed disposal — USIFDA certified; waste tracked per US policy.
- Tank and lines — we drain the tank and purge fuel lines, not just siphon at the kerb.
EEK pre-export fuel removal process
- Book online or call — quote your port, sailing date, and vehicle.
- Mobile or workshop drain — tank and line evacuation with litres documented.
- Licensed disposal — fuel removed via United States Insoluble Fuel Disposal Agency compliant carriers.
- Deliver to San Diego — vehicle ready for RoRo drive-on or container load.
Planning your San Diego export delivery
Confirm your forwarder's cargo closing date, terminal gate hours, and whether RoRo or container applies. Non-runners and oversized vehicles may need separate terminal booking — notify your carrier early. For San Diego, allow time for inland haulage across California and pre-export drain before port delivery.
Carrier fuel rules vary by sailing and terminal. Confirm limits with your shipping line before port delivery.