06/02/2026

Shipping from China to Port of Long Beach: Step-by-Step Process for Importers

Table of Contents

Introduction

If you make things in China and sell them in the US, there’s a good possibility that your containers will go through the Port of Long Beach at some time. As of 2025, it is still one of the busiest container ports in the U.S., carrying more than 10 million TEU a year and breaking throughput records even as sourcing moves to Southeast Asia.

The rules and risks are also evolving at the same time. “Just shipping a container” is no longer easy because of changes in tariffs, environmental laws at the port, clean vehicle rules, security filings, and patterns of congestion. Spot rates and available capacity can go up a lot at busy times or when policies change, as when tariffs are temporarily lifted. Port congestion can also add a week or more to your travel time.

This tutorial takes you through the process of shipping from China to Long Beach as an importer, step by step. It focuses on what you need to do, decide, and watch out for at each stage. We’ll also show you how a freight forwarder like Topway Shipping can help you get things done and lower your risk.

1. Understanding the China–Long Beach Trade Lane

1.1 Why Long Beach Still Matters

Long Beach lies in the middle of the Southern California logistics network. You can get to these places in a few hours by car:

Huge groups of warehouses in the Inland Empire
Rail ramps that connect the whole U.S. Midwest
A lot of trucking and drayage companies work together.

The port works as a modern “green gateway” with strict rules for the environment, like requiring clean trucks, which have helped cut truck emissions by a huge amount in the last ten years. These programs decide which trucking businesses can work at the port and how appointments are made. This, in turn, influences the cost and reliability of your drayage.

Even while the port’s traffic has become more diverse and includes goods from other Asian countries, China still makes up around 60% of the trade, down from over 70% in 2019. In other words: the lane remains critical, just more competitive and volatile than before.

1.2 Typical Transit Times and Service Options

The time it takes to get from one place to another is not only the number of days at sea. Think of it as door-to-door, from the factory gate in China to your U.S. warehouse.

Port-to-port ocean shipping from big Chinese ports like Shanghai or Shenzhen to Long Beach usually takes:

It takes from 14 to 19 days to get from Shanghai to Long Beach on speedier routes.
Some slower or indirect services from Shenzhen to Long Beach take about 27 to 36 days.
When you add in consolidation, deconsolidation, customs, and domestic delivery, door-to-door for ocean LCL can easily take 30 to 45 days or more.

During the busiest time of year (typically August to October), traffic jams, equipment shortages, and bottlenecks in the middle of the country can add another 5 to 10 days or more.

A simple method to see your choices:

Mode / Service	Typical Port-to-Port Transit (China → Long Beach)	Typical Door-to-Door Transit	Best For
FCL Ocean Freight	14–36 days	25–45 days	Full containers, stable volumes
LCL Ocean Freight	18–41 days	30–50 days	1–15 CBM, growing e-commerce shipments
Air Freight	2–5 days	5–10 days	Urgent, high-value shipments
Express Courier	2–5 days	2–7 days	Samples, very small parcels

Don’t take these statistics as promises; use them as planning ranges. Always leave extra time, especially if you’re shipping before big U.S. holidays or the Chinese New Year.

2. Planning Your Shipment and Choosing Incoterms

You need to know who pays for what and who controls what before you fill out a booking form. That’s when Incoterms come in.

The most prevalent Incoterms for shipments from China to Long Beach are:

FOB (Free On Board): Supplier delivers goods onto the vessel at the Chinese port; you (or your forwarder) control ocean freight and everything after.
EXW (Ex Works): You are responsible from the factory gate on. You pay for trucking within China and anything else after that.
CIF/CFR: The supplier pays for shipping by sea to Long Beach, but you are still in charge of customs, import duties, and the last mile.
DAP and DDP mean that the supplier will bring the package to your door. DDP comprises tariffs. In real life, tiny e-commerce importers sometimes employ them, but they can be hard to control and see.

FOB strikes a fair mix for most importers who want to know how much things will cost and be in charge of their schedules. You let your Chinese supplier handle the export processes within China, but you or your forwarder are in charge of the vessel, routing, and U.S. side.

When you talk to your supplier about a deal, be sure to talk about:

The port and Incoterm (for example, FOB Shenzhen or FOB Shanghai)
Size and kind of packaging (how many cartons, pallets, and CBM)
Time between placing an order and the “ready date” for pickup
Any tests or certifications that are needed, as for electronics, toys, or food-contact items

These facts will help you figure out when to book, how much it will cost, and what kind of services you require from a forwarder.

3. Working with a Freight Forwarder: How Topway Shipping Fits In

You can potentially put together shipping by calling shipping lines, customs brokers, and trucking companies yourself. In practice, most importers, especially those who sell goods online across borders, depend on a freight forwarder to manage the whole process.

Topway Shipping, which is based in Shenzhen, has been an expert in cross-border e-commerce logistics since 2010. Their founding team has more than 15 years of experience in international logistics and customs clearance, with a special focus on the U.S. and China. transportation. This implies that they know how Amazon FBA, DTC brands, and small-batch shipments really work, not just the supply chains of big-box stores.

Topway’s services cover the entire trip:

Transportation for the first leg in China (factory pickup and trucking to the port of export)
FCL and LCL ocean services from China to major ports like Long Beach that are flexible
Overseas warehousing in the U.S. lets you keep your inventory closer to your clients.
Help with customs clearance and working with U.S. brokers
Last-mile delivery to your own warehouse, 3PL, or fulfillment center

You can talk to and solve problems with all five providers through a single project owner instead of having to talk to each one separately. For new importers or e-commerce firms who are growing quickly, this is often the difference between a solid supply chain and always having to put out fires.

4. Step-by-Step: From Factory in China to Berth at Long Beach

Let’s say that FOB terms are in place and a forwarder like Topway is in charge of the move.

4.1 Step 1 – Quote, Booking, and Routing

Your forwarder will do the following once you give them the details of your shipment (volume, weight, readiness date, Incoterm):

Offer alternative ways to get there (direct vs. transshipment, different carriers)
Provide rates for FCL vs. LCL where relevant
Please tell us the estimated time of departure (ETD) and the anticipated time of arrival (ETA) in Long Beach.

You choose the option that works best for your budget and schedule, and then the forwarder books space with an ocean carrier like Hapag-Lloyd or Maersk.

At this point, check to see:

Your business is set up to bring goods into the U.S.
You know your customs broker. It could be the same company as your forwarder or a partner.
You can get a customs bond (single or continuous) or you may already have one.

4.2 Step 2 – Documentation from the Supplier

Your Chinese supplier needs to give you documentation that are correct and thorough. At the very least:

Commercial Invoice (in English, with the right buyer/seller, currency, and payment terms)
Packing List (including the number of cartons, their sizes, and their net and gross weights)
For each product line, there are HS Codes (harmonized system codes).
If you need them, certificates or licenses are needed for regulated commodities like food, cosmetics, electronics, and batteries.

This information goes to both the Chinese export customs and the U.S. import customs. If you make mistakes here, it could take longer to clear and require more checks later.

4.3 Step 3 – Export Customs and Container Stuffing

The forwarder will set up the following for FCL:

Taking the empty container via truck to the supplier or a stuffing warehouse
Overseeing the loading and sealing of the container
Taking the sealed container to the terminal at the origin port

For LCL, the products are taken by truck to a warehouse where they are put together. There, they are put into one container with the cargo of other purchasers.

The exporter (your supplier) or the forwarder’s Chinese company will take care of the export customs declaration. They will send the commercial invoice, packing list, and export codes to Chinese Customs. If there are problems, such wrong HS codes or missing documents, your container might not be loaded on time.

4.4 Step 4 – Ocean Voyage to Long Beach

When the ship leaves, the carrier will send you a bill of lading (BL) and a sailing schedule through the forwarder. While on the trip:

The carrier sends manifest data to the U.S. government.
If your forwarder, broker, or in-house staff hasn’t already done it, they will finish the Importer Security Filing (ISF) and get the customs entry data ready.
You can keep an eye on the ship through online systems or your forwarder’s portal.

Keep an eye on both the ETA and any changes to the terminal. Carriers often change the terminal they call at in Long Beach or the adjacent Port of Los Angeles, which might mess with drayage arrangements.

5. Compliance on the U.S. Side: ISF, Entry, and Customs

5.1 Importer Security Filing (ISF / 10+2)

The ISF, which is sometimes known as “10+2,” is a required security file for ocean shipments to the U.S. before they arrive. The importer (or their agent) must send 10 pieces of information concerning the shipment to the U.S. These include the seller, buyer, manufacturer, country of origin, and HS codes. The carrier must also send 2 pieces of information, such as the vessel stow plan and container status messages. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) checks the cargo before it is loaded at the foreign port.

Important points:

You must file the ISF at least 24 hours before the ship is loaded.
If you don’t send in your ISF on time or completely, you could face fines, more inspections, or even cargo holds.
You need your supplier to give you reliable information early, so make sure that is part of your process.

As the importer of record, you are still responsible for filing the ISF, even though most importers let their forwarder or customs broker do it.

5.2 Customs Entry, Duties, and Taxes

In addition to the ISF, a conventional customs entry must be filed around the time the ship arrives or just before it does:

Your broker sends the customs entry and entry summary to CBP.
They figure up your duties based on your commercial invoice, packing list, and HS codes.
There may be further tariffs on top of the standard MFN rates. For example, Section 301 levies on several Chinese goods.

Changes in trade policy have produced temporary cuts or delays in some U.S.-China tariffs, but the overall situation is still unstable, and importers and consumers may end up paying more.

To avoid any surprises:

Look at your HTS categories ahead of time
Before placing orders, figure out the whole cost of the model, including taxes and charges.
If duties are really high, think about whether some SKUs would be better bought from other countries.

5.3 Other Agencies (PGA) and Compliance

The FDA, USDA, CPSC, EPA, FCC, and other agencies are in charge of many products in addition to CBP. For instance:

Before sending food, drinks, or nutritional supplements, you usually have to let the FDA know and register your facility.
Wooden packaging materials may have to follow USDA requirements for fumigation and treatment.
You could need FCC paperwork for electronics and wireless items.

Your forwarder and customs broker can point out possible PGA participation, but only you know your product inside and out. Before you ship, be sure you understand the rules and regulations. If you don’t, your items could be held, sent back, or destroyed.

Here’s a good approach to organize the chores that need to be done to stay in compliance:

Process / Document	Main Responsible Party	When It Must Be Done
ISF (10+2) filing	Importer / broker / forwarder	Before vessel loading at origin
Customs entry	Broker (on importer’s behalf)	Just before / after vessel arrival
Duty and tariff payment	Importer	At or soon after clearance
PGA filings (e.g., FDA)	Importer / broker	Before or during customs processing
Customs bond	Importer / surety	Before first shipment or entry

6. At the Port: Discharge, Exams, and Fees in Long Beach

6.1 What Happens When the Vessel Arrives

Once the ship docks in Long Beach:

Cranes take containers off of ships and carry them to the terminal’s container yard.
The terminal system changes status codes, like “available,” “on hold,” and “exam.”
Once the duties are paid, your broker finishes the customs release and sends release messages to the carrier and terminal.

If everything is in order—ISF on time, entry accepted, no flags—your FCL container should be ready to go within one or two business days of arriving. For LCL, your cargo goes to a CFS (container freight station) to be unloaded, which takes longer.

6.2 Customs Exams and Holds

Risk-based targeting is used by CBP. If your package is flagged, it may have to go through:

Only looking at documents
X-ray scan that doesn’t bother you
Tailgate or partial unloading
Full comprehensive exam at a facility that the government has approved

Exams cost more and take more time (for example, exam costs, storage, and extra drayage). Over time, good data quality, reliable suppliers, and a history of compliance shipments can lower the number of exams.

6.3 Port-Related Fees You Should Expect

A lot of “local” expenses show up around the Long Beach leg, in addition to ocean freight and taxes. It’s easier to prevent bad surprises when you know what they look like.

Fee Type	Charged By	When It Starts / Applies	How to Control It
Terminal Handling Charge	Carrier / terminal	Always, per container or per CBM (for LCL)	Usually included in your freight quote
PierPass / Traffic Fees	Local program / terminals	Daytime truck moves (varies by program rules)	Use off-peak where possible; plan drayage windows
Demurrage (port storage)	Terminal	After free days expire at terminal	Pick up containers quickly; avoid unplanned holds
Detention (equipment usage)	Carrier	After free days you hold empty containers	Return empties quickly; coordinate trucks
Drayage	Trucking company	Per move (terminal → warehouse and back)	Bundle moves, use reliable drayage providers
Exam and handling fees	CBP / terminal / warehouse	When a customs exam is ordered	Good compliance history; accurate documentation

Long Beach’s environmental and clean-truck regulations mean that only registered and compliant vehicles can get into the ports. This has cut down on emissions, but it also means you have to work with drayage businesses that satisfy these regulations. Trucks that don’t meet these norms can’t pick up your containers.

A well-connected forwarder will have a network of dray carriers that have been checked out and are properly registered, which will reduce problems.

7. Inland Transport: From Long Beach to Your Final Destination

You can pick how to send the shipment inland after it has cleared customs and all costs have been paid.

For FCL:

A truck driver picks up the full container at the terminal and either
brings it straight to your warehouse for unloading and then takes the empty back to a depot, or
takes it to a rail ramp so it can be moved to places like Chicago, Dallas, and other inland cities.

For LCL:

The container is brought to a CFS, where it is opened and your palletized cargo is sorted.
From there, trucking is set up to take your goods to your warehouse or 3PL, usually on a shared or milk-run basis.

Topway Shipping may offer more than just port services by coordinating:

Storage or transloading for a short time near the port
Trucking in the U.S. from CFS or a container yard
Setting up delivery times with fulfillment centers, including deliveries that meet Amazon FBA standards
If you desire stock closer to customers, you can move it to U.S. warehouses in their network.

You can plan not only how long it will take to get your goods over the seas, but also how quickly you can turn them into sales using this “end-to-end” design.

8. Risk Management and Cost Control in 2025–2026

The China–Long Beach commerce route has been affected by the following in recent years:

Changes in tariffs and brief breaks that produce rapid spikes in bookings and spot rates
High demand throughout the holidays and peak season
Lack of equipment, traffic jams at ports, and bottlenecks on land

Long Beach handled almost 10.1 million TEUs of cargo in 2025, which was a double-digit increase from the previous year. This was even though the amount of cargo coming from China compared to Southeast Asia went down. The message for importers is clear: the lane is packed, but it’s getting more competitive and unpredictable.

Some useful ways to control risk are:

Locking in pricing or space commitments for stable lanes for a longer period of time
Making reservations early for busy times and times when you know there may be problems (like Chinese New Year or Golden Week)
Instead of assuming the best-case transit timings, organize your inventory with flexible lead times.
Changing some SKUs to go to different ports or sources while keeping Long Beach as your main port of entry

A forwarder with a lot of experience in China and the U.S. Experience may help you choose services that are both reliable and affordable, instead than just going for the lowest price, which could lead to delays and rollovers.

9. Worked Example: 5 CBM LCL Shipment from Shenzhen to Long Beach

To make this more real, think about how you are an e-commerce firm that is bringing in roughly 5 CBM of items from a manufacturer near Shenzhen and sending them to Long Beach with Topway as your forwarder.

This is what a realistic timeframe may look like:

Day Range	Step / Milestone	Who Drives It
0–3	Place PO, confirm product details and certifications	You + supplier
4–10	Production and packing	Supplier
11	Supplier declares “cargo ready date”	Supplier
11–13	Topway books LCL space and schedules pickup	Forwarder
13–15	Domestic trucking to LCL warehouse; goods received	Forwarder
15–17	Consolidation, export customs clearance	Supplier + forwarder
17–18	Container loaded, vessel departs from Yantian/Shekou	Carrier
18–36	Ocean transit to Long Beach	Carrier
32–36	ISF already filed; customs entry prepared and lodged	Broker / forwarder
36–38	Vessel arrival; container discharged; devanning at CFS	Carrier + CFS
38–41	Customs release; local fees billed	Broker + forwarder
41–45	Trucking to your warehouse/3PL	Trucker / forwarder

If everything goes well, it will take about 40 to 45 days from the date you place your order to when it arrives at the warehouse. It could take more than 50 days if there is traffic or exams, therefore your inventory planning should take this into mind.

Topway can make this easier by:

Setting up pickup dates at the plant with your supplier
Taking care of all the paperwork for imports and exports
Filing ISF and customs entry through their partner brokers
Giving a single view of the status of a shipment from its origin to its final delivery

You get unified milestones and exception alerts instead of having to chase down updates from multiple people.

Conclusion

When shipping from China to the Port of Long Beach, it’s not just a matter of reserving a container. There are a lot of decisions and stages that need to be followed from your supplier’s packing line to your warehouse doors.

In general, you need to:

Pick the right Incoterms and make sure your provider knows what their duties are.
Work with a good freight forwarder to plan routes, book space, and keep track of paperwork.
Follow U.S. rules like ISF, customs entrance, and any PGA rules.
Know what goes on at the Long Beach terminal, such as possible tests and local costs.
Plan dependable transportation within the country and include realistic lead times in your inventory model that take into account buffers.

A partner like Topway Shipping, which has been in business for more than ten years and specializes in cross-border e-commerce, can make this complicated process predictable and repeatable. They have full-chain capabilities, including first-leg transport, FCL/LCL, warehousing, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery. You don’t have to treat every shipment as a new trial; you can standardize your China–Long Beach flow and spend more time on developing products and increasing sales.

With the correct structure in place—good data, strong partners, and realistic timelines—shipping from China to Long Beach becomes a scalable engine behind your business, not a source of frequent surprises.

FAQs

Q: How long does it usually take to ship from China to Long Beach by sea?
A: Depending on the Chinese port, carrier, and route, ocean passage from port to port usually takes 14 to 36 days. Door-to-door LCL shipments usually take 30 to 45 days or more, especially when you factor in consolidation, customs, terminal handling, and domestic trucking. You should plan for extra time at busy times or when things go wrong.

Q: Do I really need to file an ISF for every shipment to Long Beach?
A: Yes. All shipments by sea to the U.S. must have an Importer Security Filing (ISF/10+2). Before the ship leaves the port of origin, it has to be filed. If you send in your ISF late or with mistakes, you could face fines, extra inspections, or holds on your goods. That’s why most importers let their forwarder or customs broker take care of this for them.

Q: What are the biggest extra costs at the Port of Long Beach that new importers underestimate?
A: Many new importers only think about ocean freight and tariffs, and they are surprised by local expenses like terminal handling, PierPass or traffic mitigation fees, demurrage, detention, and drayage. Customs tests and the costs that go along with them can also pile up. When you inquire for quotations, be sure you know which of these are included and which will be charged individually.

Q: How can a company like Topway Shipping help if I only ship a few CBM each time?
A: For small and medium-sized e-commerce importers, Topway can combine your shipments through LCL, take care of the paperwork for exports and imports, file ISF and customs entries through partner brokers, and set up final delivery to your warehouse or fulfillment center. You may use professional logistics infrastructure without having to hire a logistics team, which is especially helpful when volumes are still rising.

Q: Is Long Beach always the best port choice for West Coast imports from China?
A: Not always, but it is usually the best choice. Long Beach (and the surrounding Los Angeles port) has a lot of ships coming and going, good transportation and rail connections, and a lot of nearby warehouse space. Depending on your customers, rates, and how busy the ports are, it can make sense to use other ports like Oakland, Seattle/Tacoma, or even East Coast gateways. A forwarder can help you look at your options based on the current situation.

Q: What should I do if my container is put on hold or selected for a customs exam in Long Beach?
A: First, keep in touch with your customs broker or forwarder to find out what kind of exam it is and when it is expected to happen. Quickly send all the documents that were asked for. Once the exam is requested, you usually can’t “avoid” it, but you may save money and time by reacting quickly, approving any necessary costs, and making sure that communication is clear so that the container can move as soon as the exam is over.

Q: When is the best time to book space from China to avoid delays at Long Beach?
A: There is no perfect “quiet season,” but you may lower your risk by not scheduling at the last minute before big holidays like Christmas, Chinese New Year, and other times when people are known to be busy. You may get space and prevent expensive last-minute rate increases by booking at least two to three weeks before your ready date and including flexible delivery windows in your sales strategies.