Cargill Salt - Tampa, Florida

Chris L.

Here are STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS:

DO NOT ARRIVE MORE THAN 1 HOUR BEFORE APPT. The system won’t let you check in otherwise.

If you don’t have a port pass (which is $20 for a full year) you’ll need to get the “day pass” at the security center, get there by using the far left lane at the security plaza (closest to the building), get it and loop back around to the same gate.

Cargill is the first building on the left after the train tracks.

(Look at the attached pic with the blue circle for the next part, point your front toward the fence, not how it is in the pic)

Lot of people will park on the side of the road (dangerous, and will most likely be told to move by security) OR in the dirt road/lot right before the entrance.

Here’s the thing: there are three slots right in front of the docks and against the fence…these are actually staging slots. There are three of them. If you see one of them open (and you can see them from the security office) pull in to one of those. Others may get pissed off because they think you’re “jumping them” but hey, That’s what they are there for, so use them.

BACKING WILL BE TOUGH. But using those three slots on the fence line will help you. There will be NO ROOM between you and the other trucks (unless you’re in dock 1). Just take your time with it and for all the sakes in the world, ask for a spotter if you need it. Otherwise you may lose a mirror.

The crew are nice and get you loaded fairly quickly. You will be heavy (I’ve usuallly been pushing 42K) and there is a scale on port site, look at the pictures in the office, but I think they close at 16 or 1700. (Good thing FL has a 44k limit on tandems)

Mike H.

They won't take you more than an hour before or after your appointment. I got there at 1145 for a 1300 appt, but waited until 1200 to sign in. I was loaded and out around 1320. The dock doors are VERY close together. Three doors for vans, and they load flatbeds on the yard.

You'll have to stop at the security office and get a pass to get in. No passengers without a CDL, and no weapons.

Himalayan K.

Good place to load, check in 1 hour before appt. Checked in at 10:30am got a door by 11:20am got loaded up with in an hour,not bad at all. Just make sure you have all of your pick# or po# to check in on the computer inside shipping office also there is only 1 gate for entrance off the main road into the port don't miss it or you will have to go back around to th3 main gate out of the port then come back in the same you entered.safe trip drivers !!!

L A.

Not a horrible experience. But if you bring a passenger with you through port security,they are going to have to get a pass also to get through. I brought my wife and in order for her to get a pass,security wants Cargill to email security and basically allow your passenger to get a pass. Considering Cargill doesn’t answer the phone,I had my wife wait at the security pass office. She was not happy. At least they have a restroom and vending machines. Lane 1 through port security to get your pass. Enjoy.

Maurice H.

Quick and fast like always
Great people

Mike S.

Good folks, quick loading. Yeah, it's a small area. That's why they say DO NOT ARRIVE MORE THAN 1 HOUR BEFORE APPOINTMENT. There are 3 docks and 3 staging spots. They also load flatbeds in that area. One more truck comes in and all he does is keep everyone else from moving. Then he looks like an idiot. Not far from port axle weight scale, $10.50, card only.

Angelic S.

Terrible place to get loaded. No parking if you arrive more than 1hr early you will get turned away andd have to keep going thru the port security not much truck parking near this port area as well.

T A.

When checking in to the port go through gate 1 and around the building to get your pass. Takes less than 10 minutes. Cargill is the first building on the left after you enter the port. Very nice folks and loading was very quick 👍. Tight quarters at the doors but not that bad. I'd go back with no hesitation.