The Port of Boston was historically significant for its tea imports, particularly during the Boston Tea Party.

In particular, the import of tea, which came to represent opposition to British rule, depended heavily on the Port of Boston during the American colonial era. The Boston Tea Party took place in 1773 when American colonists threw tea into Boston Harbor in protest of the British Tea Act. This act of rebellion against British tea taxes was a major catalyst for the American Revolution and a watershed in colonial resistance. The port's importance during this period extended beyond trade; it became a focal point for revolutionary activities and an important site in American history.