There is evidence that trade was flowing through Pompeii's port as far back as the Archaic period (7th to 4th century BC). The port of Pompeii was less than a kilometre from the city centre. Although the town is now inland, it was coastal at the time of the eruption in AD79. The land has changed dramatically due to the volcanic nature of the region. 

Pompeii was very well located for trade. The Bay of Naples had a number of good natural harbours, especially around Misenum. The nearby port of Puteoli was one of the most important in Rome. It was where products from all over Italy and the wider Empire came together for distribution. Naples, Cumae and Puteoli had strong connections with the Greek East, which was very useful to the other towns in the area as trading centres. Pompeii was also the entry point from the wider ocean to the Sarno river valley. It was at the crossroads of the coastal trade routes from Cumae to the Sorrentine Peninsula and the inland route along the river towards Nuceria, Acerrae and Nola.

The port handled both local and foreign goods. These were unloaded from the ships and put on barges to be transported up the river to other towns such as Nuceria, or carried on wagons into Pompeii itself. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that goods were being transported across the Roman world and making their way to Pompeii; for example distinctive red pottery imported from Gaul, and an ivory statue of an Indian goddess (possibly Yakshi) suggests Roman links to India, it was most likely traded through Begram in Afghanistan.

The port and ships were clearly very important to Pompeii and its people. Many graffiti and frescoes of ships have been found in the city, and the patron goddess Venus was believed to have been born from the sea. Sailors prayed to her for protection, and she is often depicted reclining in a seashell, accompanied by water nymphs and dolphins, or even leaning on a rudder (the flat paddle used to steer a boat).