美国
United States
1. Port Overview
The Port of Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California, on the east bank of San Pedro Bay, adjacent to the Port of Los Angeles. Together, they form the largest port complex in North America (San Pedro Bay Port Complex). The Port of Long Beach is the second-largest container port on the U.S. West Coast, with an annual container throughput of approximately 8 million TEUs and a water depth of up to 16 meters. Its rail intermodal facilities are the largest and most efficient among West Coast ports, connecting to the rest of the United States via two Class I railroads: BNSF and Union Pacific.
The Port of Long Beach has close trade ties with China—the TTI terminal (under Hutchison Port Holdings) is a key hub for Transpacific trade. Bofeng Logistics has ample capacity on the China-U.S. route (Westbound direction).
2. Port Scale and Facilities
The Port of Long Beach has 6 container terminals and approximately 25 berths, with depths ranging from 14 to 16 meters. Major operators include TTI (under Hutchison Port Holdings), LBCT (OOCL), ITS, Fenix Marine Services, and Pacific Container Terminal. The Pier T and Pier F terminals are among the most modern container terminals on the U.S. West Coast, equipped with automated and semi-automated operating equipment.
3. Main Routes from China
| Port of Origin | Reference Transit Time | Common Shipping Lines |
|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou Port | 12-14 days | EVERGREEN, ONE, COSCO |
| Shenzhen Port | 11-14 days | COSCO, MSC, MAERSK |
| Shanghai Port | 12-15 days | MAERSK, MSC |
The Port of Long Beach shares the same channel with the Port of Los Angeles. During peak season (July-October), both ports can be congested simultaneously, with waiting times of 3-7 days at anchor. It is recommended to allow an additional 2-4 days of buffer time.
4. Key Points on China-U.S. Trade and Logistics
China is the Port of Long Beach's largest trading partner. Main imports: furniture, electronics, apparel, and machinery. The Port of Long Beach is the primary gateway for consumer goods imports on the U.S. West Coast, with 40% of U.S. import containers entering through the Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex.
Cargo suitable for shipping via the Port of Long Beach: furniture, electronics, apparel, machinery. Wood products require a fumigation certificate, electronics require FCC certification, and food/drugs require FDA registration.
Bofeng Logistics Experience Sharing: The core advantage of the Port of Long Beach over the Port of Los Angeles lies in its rail intermodal facilities—Long Beach's IPI (Inland Point Intermodal) facilities are larger and more efficient. If cargo needs to be shipped to inland points in the Eastern/Central U.S. (Chicago, Dallas, Memphis, Kansas City), the rail solution via Long Beach is sometimes more convenient than via Los Angeles. During peak season, the two ports can serve as alternatives for each other, allowing flexible selection of the port of call based on congestion. Additionally, choosing vessel schedules arriving on Wednesday/Thursday usually results in shorter queuing times at the terminal.
5. Shipping Considerations
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) | Shipping lines impose PSS from July to October; this is the biggest variable affecting freight rates. |
| Congestion Surcharge (CGS) | When LA/LB congestion is severe, shipping lines add a port congestion surcharge. |
| IPI Rail Intermodal | For destinations in the Eastern/Central U.S., using IPI is more economical than routing via the Panama Canal. |
| Equipment Shortage | During peak season, 40HQ containers are often in short supply; book early or accept substitute container types. |
| ISF Filing | U.S. Customs ISF filing must be completed 24 hours before vessel departure; penalties apply for late filing. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How to choose between the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles? A: The two ports are adjacent and share the same channel. The choice depends on: ① The port where the shipping line's terminal is located (determined at booking); ② For rail intermodal, Long Beach is recommended (better facilities); ③ During peak season, they can be used interchangeably—if one port is severely congested, you can switch to the other.
Q: What should be noted for U.S. Customs clearance? A: ① ISF (Importer Security Filing) must be submitted 24 hours before vessel departure; late penalties are approximately $5,000; ② FCC certification (electronics), FDA registration (food/drugs/cosmetics), fumigation certificate (wood products); ③ U.S. Customs is very strict on intellectual property protection; products involving brands require a letter of authorization.
6. Bofeng Logistics Services
- Full Container Load (FCL): 20GP, 40GP, 40HQ, 45HQ
- Less than Container Load (LCL): Regular weekly LCL services from Guangzhou/Shenzhen to Long Beach
- Customs Brokerage: China export + U.S. import customs clearance consultation
- U.S. Inland Intermodal: Rail distribution from Long Beach to Chicago/Dallas/Memphis/New York, etc.
📍 Welcome to contact us for real-time freight rates.
Related Ports: Port of Los Angeles | Port of Oakland (The three major West Coast ports can serve as alternatives for each other)