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Learn how to export Docker images and containers to tar archives, move them into air-gapped or restricted environments, and load or import them back into Docker without direct internet access.

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Table of Contents

  1. Exporting and Transferring Docker Images
  2. Exporting a Container Filesystem and Importing as an Image
  3. Docker CLI Reference
  4. Links and References

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1. Exporting and Transferring Docker Images

When you cannot pull directly from Docker Hub (for example, in a restricted environment), follow these steps:

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Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Pull the desired image on an internet-connected host: 
    docker pull alpine:latest
  2. Save the image into a tarball: 
    docker image save alpine:latest -o alpine.tar
  3. Transfer alpine.tar to the target system (USB drive, SCP, shared NFS, etc.).
  4. Load the tarball on the restricted host: 
    docker image load -i alpine.tar
    You should see output similar to: 
    beee9f30bc1f: Loading layer [==================>]  5.862MB/5.862MB
Loaded image: alpine:latest
  5. Confirm the image is available locally: 
    docker image ls
    Example output: 
    REPOSITORY   TAG       IMAGE ID       CREATED        SIZE
alpine       latest    a187dde48cd2   4 weeks ago    5.6MB
Always verify you’re using the correct <repository>:<tag> when saving and loading images to avoid version mismatches.
Ensure you have sufficient disk space on both source and target systems before exporting large images.

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2. Exporting a Container Filesystem and Importing as an Image

You can snapshot a running container’s filesystem and convert it into a new Docker image:
  1. Export the container to a tar archive: 
    docker export <container-name> > testcontainer.tar
  2. Import the tarball as a fresh image: 
    docker image import testcontainer.tar newimage:latest
    Docker returns a new image ID, e.g.: 
    sha256:8909b7da236bb21aa2e52e6e04dff4b7103753e4046e15457a3daf6dfa723a12
  3. List local images to confirm the import: 
    docker image ls
    Example output: 
    REPOSITORY    TAG       IMAGE ID       CREATED         SIZE
newimage      latest    8090b7da236b   2 minutes ago   5.6MB
alpine        latest    a187dde48cd2   4 weeks ago     5.6MB

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Docker CLI Reference

CommandDescription
docker pull <repo>:<tag>Download image from Docker Hub or private registry
docker image save <image> -o <file>.tarSave one or more images to a tar archive
docker image load -i <file>.tarLoad image(s) from a tar archive
docker export <container>Export container filesystem as a tar archive
docker image import <file>.tar <name>:<tag>Create a new image from a container tarball
docker image lsList local Docker images

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