General Instructions

When directed to The Modernized Facility, the Routing Ticket will state:  Deliver/Pick Up container at Truck Exchange Lane 10-15 (there will always be a range of lanes listed to ensure lane access for the driver). For the The Conventional Facility the Routing Ticket will state:  Take/Pick Up container to/at Grounded Location *_____ / or Take container to Wheeled Location *______. *Grounded locations start with a letter (J301) and Wheeled locations are all numerical.

Drivers should read their routing ticket to ensure they are selecting the correct size chassis for their import pick up - having the wrong size causes delays.  The driver is responsible to understand the transaction they will be performing.

It is critically important drivers ensure their Chassis pins are completely unlocked before initiating a transaction Modernized terminal section/TEL (Truck Exchange Lanes).  Failure to comply will result in a safety citation and fine and will be required to take our on-line STEP class.

Drivers must not press the RED E-STOP button for NON-Emergency reasons. Please  use the CALL BOX to speak to a clerk if they need assistance. 

Please review our training materials for detailed information about navigating the modernized facility.

To enter the terminal drivers will need all of the following:

A TSA issued Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). TSA TWIC Card Instructions.
Each truck will need to be registered with the Truck Tag program .
Truck RFID tags for installation on the truck are issued by PierPass .
Each truck will be required to have a valid license plate linked to the RFID tag.
All drivers need to provide a SCAC Code to initiate a transaction. “Trucker Codes” are no longer in use.

Import and exports are only possible with an appointment. Appointments can be changed up to 30 prior to appointment window start. To make an appointment trucking companies will need to register as TERMPoint user . Appointments can be managed in TERMPoint . Before making an appointment please read our TERMPoint Export Appointment User Guide, and Import Appointment Best Practices or Export Appointment Best Practices. 

If you have missed your appointment you will need to make a new one for a later date. If rescheduled on the same day, you will need to contact Pier400imports@apmterminals.com / 310-221-4496 to request an appointment cancellation. 

First shift deliveries will need to pay a Traffic Mitigation Fee  (TMF) for import and/or export containers that move during peak hours, at least 4 hours prior to your appointment time or your appointment will be auto cancelled (Paid via Pier Pass ). Demurrage will need to be paid 2 hours prior to your appointment time or your appointment will be auto cancelled. (Paid via Tops ).  

Ensure VGM is submitted prior to arriving at the terminal. A flip maybe required to receive cargo. Ensure hazardous pre-advise is submitted and the container has the proper placards.

• We do not accept WCCP, SSA and EVERGREEN chassis. Pease contact TRAC Intermodal   for drop-off locations. Drivers will be turned away at security. Violators of this policy are subject to a $200 fine and having the truck banned from APMT. Exception: belly-mount genset chassis for Yang Ming & Evergreen reefer activity only, however units MUST GATE OUT (either bare or with an Evergreen import/empty reefer unit).


• If there is no red tag on a chassis, Operations will not flip the load and driver must take the load out as is.


• If you bring in a live reefer on an Evergreen Chassis, you must get it flipped and take the chassis back out with you. Failure to do so will lead to a fine and chassis storage charges.


• For chassis questions, please contact our customer service team at 310-221-4001 during first shift and 310-221-4395 during second shift.

Export receiving information can be found in our Vessel Schedule (click “view” to the far right under “Line Cutoff Times” to see full details).

• Driver must enter through the North Gate.
• Driver pushes button to initiate transaction
• Driver to provide their Truck Code and Appointment Number and Seal Number
• OCR will provide Container and Chassis # to the gate clerk
• TRUCKER SHOULD VALIDATE INFORMATION ON TICKET BEFORE PROCEEDING

Reefer Export In additional steps

• Driver proceeds to the left of North Trouble Building (Reefer Receiving) (see map) to be processed by mechanics and have genset removed (if needed)

• Driver must enter through the North Gate.
• Driver pushes button to initiate transaction.
• Driver to provide their Truck Code, and states: “empty return”
• OCR will provide Container and Chassis # to gate clerk
• TRUCKER SHOULD VALIDATE INFORMATION ON TICKET BEFORE PROCEEDING

Empty Reefer Drop Off additional steps

• Driver proceeds to the left of North Trouble Building (Reefer Receiving) (see map) to be processed by mechanics (if genset on container or chassis) and have genset removed (if applicable).

• Driver must enter through the North Gate.
• Driver pushes button to initiate the transaction
• Driver will generate a Truck Code and Appointment Number
• TRUCKER SHOULD VALIDATE INFORMATION ON TICKET BEFORE PROCEEDING

Import Reefer Load Out additional steps

• Driver proceeds to wheeled yard location indicated on the routing ticket.
• Trucker will wait for mechanic to unplug reefer
• If Trucker requires a genset, the driver will proceed to North Trouble Building (Reefer Receiving) (see map) where the mechanics will mount the genset.  The requirement / need for a genset is determined by the Trucker.

• Driver must enter through the North Gate.
• Driver pushes button to initiate the transaction
• Driver will generate a Truck Code, Booking Number or EDO Number
• TRUCKER SHOULD VALIDATE INFORMATION ON TICKET BEFORE PROCEEDING 

Reefer Empty Out additional steps

• Driver proceeds to wheeled yard location indicated on the routing ticket.
• If Trucker requires a genset, the driver will proceed to North Trouble Building (Reefer Receiving) (see map) where the mechanics will mount the genset.  The requirement / need for a genset is determined by the Trucker.

In the event that the driver receives a trouble ticket:

• Driver will be directed to a trouble booth depending on the gate entered.
• The Black Button is to contact Customer Service (for issues such as appointment problem, no booking on file, expired contract and etc.)
• The Red Button is to contact the Gate Clerk (to report a UTL, etc.)
• For UTL containers, please instruct your drivers to also report this to Customer Service (Black Button)
• Driver’s ticket will be regenerated by Gate Clerk (Red Button)
• TRUCKER SHOULD VALIDATE INFORMATION ON TICKET BEFORE PROCEEDING