Lane · YTN → LAX/LGB
Shipping from Shenzhen to Los Angeles
The busiest trade lane between China and the US, and the one we run most often. Our Dongguan warehouse is a short drive from both of Shenzhen's main container terminals, and San Pedro Bay is the fastest gateway into the US.
- Ocean (FCL)
- 16–20 days port to port
- Air freight
- 5–8 days door to door
- Ports
- Yantian · Shekou → Los Angeles · Long Beach
Updated
The route
Shenzhen has two main container terminals. Yantian, on the east side of the city, handles most of the large transpacific services. Shekou, on the west side, is closer to many factories in western Shenzhen and Dongguan. We choose between them based on where your supplier is and which has the better sailing that week.
On the US side, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach sit side by side in San Pedro Bay and together form the largest container port complex in the country. Direct services cross the Pacific in roughly two weeks.
For LCL, cargo is consolidated at our Dongguan warehouse and deconsolidated at a warehouse near the ports, which typically adds three to seven days.
Transit times
| Service | Transit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FCL, Yantian → Los Angeles / Long Beach | 16–20 days port to port | Direct weekly services |
| LCL, Shenzhen → Los Angeles | 22–28 days to the US warehouse | Includes deconsolidation |
| Air freight, SZX / HKG → LAX | 5–8 days door to door | Daily flights |
| Express courier | 3–5 days door to door | Best under about 100 kg |
Allow two to five days from the port to most Southern California addresses, and longer for inland destinations.
Beyond Los Angeles
Los Angeles is also the main gateway to inland America. Containers leave the ports by rail for Chicago, Dallas, Memphis, Kansas City and other hubs, often reaching them faster than an all-water route to the East Coast would.
Closer in, the Inland Empire — Ontario, Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana — is home to much of Southern California's warehousing and many Amazon fulfilment centres. It's one of the most common final destinations on this lane.
What ships on this lane
The Pearl River Delta around Shenzhen, Dongguan and Guangzhou makes a large share of China's exports, and the cargo on this lane reflects that: consumer electronics and accessories, LED lighting, furniture and homeware, toys, outdoor and sporting goods, packaging and hardware.
Electronics often contain lithium batteries or radio transmitters, which affect both air freight rules and US compliance. See our guides to air freight and US customs clearance.
Planning around congestion
Because San Pedro Bay handles such high volumes, it's the first place to feel congestion when demand spikes, as it did dramatically in 2021. When that happens, Oakland, Seattle or Tacoma can be faster alternatives for some destinations, and we'll suggest them if they'd save you time.
FAQ
Shenzhen → Los Angeles: common questions
The questions importers ask us before the first booking. If yours is not here, ask us directly — a real coordinator replies, not an auto-responder.
How long does shipping from Shenzhen to Los Angeles take?
About 16–20 days port to port for a full container, 22–28 days for LCL including deconsolidation, and 5–8 days door to door by air.
Should I ship from Yantian or Shekou?
It depends mainly on where your supplier is. Yantian has the most transpacific services; Shekou can be more convenient for factories in western Shenzhen and Dongguan. We choose the port that gives the best combination of trucking distance and sailing date.
Can you deliver to the Inland Empire and Amazon fulfilment centres near Los Angeles?
Yes. Ontario, Riverside, San Bernardino and Fontana are among our most common delivery areas, including Amazon FBA sites.
How much does a container from Shenzhen to Los Angeles cost?
Rates on this lane change weekly with demand and season, so we quote each shipment individually. Send us your volume, product and delivery ZIP and we’ll reply with an all-in price within one working day.