The Imperial-class starport was the best category of starport. Modern and quite luxurious, this type of port was predominantly found on the most advanced and commercial worlds. It often sprawled for hundreds of kilometers and serviced thousands of vessels a day.
The Imperial-class starport had an impressive array of docking facilities, ship storage, and maintenance areas. It also offered the most lavish amenities for ships' crews and passengers. Its maintenance facilities were capable of rapid and high-quality repairs and modifications, though the services may be expensive.
The Imperial-class starport generally was a major trade center. It often was connected to other Imperial-class starports by a major trade route. Many merchants usually maintained their offices at the port, enabling starship captains to conduct their business without ever leaving the confines of the starport.
The customs office for this type of port was often staffed by highly competent officers equipped with portable scanners. Minor infractions were dealt with to the full extent of the law to discourage troublemakers.
During the reign of the Galactic Empire, the Imperial Military usually maintained a significant presence at Imperial-class starports. Starport control and the Imperial Navy conducted thorough ship and captain identification checks to weed out smugglers and other unwelcome spacers.
During the early years of the New Republic, the name of this classification had yet to be changed.
- Zeta Zero Nine (1)
The Imperial-class starport was created by Mark Rein-Hagen and Stewart Wieck for Galaxy Guide 6: Tramp Freighters, a roleplaying sourcebook published in 1990 by West End Games for Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game.