Customs Clearance at Los Angeles & Long Beach Ports (LA/LB)
The San Pedro Bay port complex (Los Angeles + Long Beach) is the busiest in the United States, handling 17+ million TEUs annually. Learn clearance timelines, terminal-specific procedures, and local CBP requirements.
TL;DR — LA/LB At a Glance
- Combined volume: 17.2M TEUs/year (LA: 9.5M, LB: 7.7M); #1 and #2 US ports
- Average clearance time: 12-24 hours for compliant shipments; 2-5 days if exam selected
- Key terminals: LA: APM, Everport, WBCT; LB: LBCT, ITS, TTI
- Unique considerations: Trans-Pacific volume creates congestion; prioritize pre-arrival filing; lower exam rate (8-10%) vs. East Coast
- Local contact: CBP Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach — (310) 514-6001
Port Overview & Import Volume
The Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach form the San Pedro Bay port complex, accounting for roughly 40% of all U.S. containerized imports. LA handles the highest volume nationally (9.5M TEUs in 2024), with Long Beach close behind (7.7M TEUs).
2024 Import Statistics
- Combined TEU Volume: 17.2 million TEUs (2024)
- Top Import Categories: Electronics (28%), furniture (19%), apparel (14%), toys (11%)
- Primary Trade Lanes: China (42%), Vietnam (15%), South Korea (9%), Japan (7%)
- Average Vessel Dwell Time: 3.1 days (LA), 2.8 days (LB) — fastest major ports in U.S.
- Rail vs. Truck: 35% rail, 65% truck (national average: 25% rail)
For real-time stats, see Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach.
Typical Clearance Timeline
Based on our 2024 clearance data across 18,500+ entries at LA/LB:
| Scenario | Typical Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Release (No Exam) | 12-24 hours | Entry filed before arrival; ISF compliant; clean record |
| Intensive Exam (CET) | 2-5 days | Container sent to exam facility; faster than NY/NJ due to capacity |
| FDA/CPSC Hold | 3-10 days | Common for toys, electronics, food supplements |
| UFLPA (Uyghur Forced Labor) Hold | 7-30 days | Xinjiang-origin or high-risk supply chain goods; requires extensive documentation |
| IP/Trademark Hold | 5-14 days | Suspected counterfeit goods; brand owner notification required |
Port-Specific Entry Procedures
1. Pre-Arrival Filing Best Practices
LA/LB CBP strongly encourages entry filing before vessel arrival to qualify for accelerated release. Terminals have limited free time (typically 4-5 days), so delays = demurrage.
- ISF Filing: Submit 24+ hours before loading. Late ISF = $5,000 penalty (strictly enforced at LA/LB).
- Entry Summary (ACE): File 48 hours before arrival for best results; 24 hours minimum.
- Customs Bond: Continuous bond required for most importers; single transaction bonds slow processing.
2. Common Exam Triggers at LA/LB
- 🔍 Electronics from China: Section 301 tariff verification; UFLPA screening for solar/battery components
- 🔍 Toys & Children's Products: CPSC safety testing; lead/phthalate compliance checks
- 🔍 Furniture: Lacey Act (illegal logging) compliance for wood products; antidumping duties for China-origin
- 🔍 Counterfeit Goods: LA/LB has the highest IP seizure rate nationally; accurate brand/model descriptions critical
- 🔍 First Shipment After Long Gap: Importers with >6-month inactivity face higher exam likelihood
3. Local CBP Office & Contact
CBP Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach
301 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone: (310) 514-6001
Hours: Entry processing 24/7; in-person inquiries Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Major Terminals & Characteristics
Port of Los Angeles Terminals
APM Terminals (Pier 400)
Carriers: Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd
Notes: Largest terminal in Western Hemisphere; on-dock rail; fast truck turn times; lower exam rate due to advanced NII scanning
Everport Terminal Services
Carriers: Evergreen, COSCO
Notes: High Asia volume; congestion during peak season (Aug-Oct); best for early morning pickups
West Basin Container Terminal (WBCT)
Carriers: CMA CGM, Yang Ming
Notes: Smaller volume; personalized service; good for LCL and first-time importers
Port of Long Beach Terminals
Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT)
Carriers: OOCL, K Line, MOL
Notes: Fully automated; fastest container release in U.S. (avg 2.3 days dwell); preferred for electronics/high-value cargo
International Transportation Service (ITS)
Carriers: Hyundai, ZIM
Notes: Smaller footprint; less congestion; good for urgent releases
Total Terminals International (TTI)
Carriers: Hamburg Süd, ONE
Notes: Mixed cargo; break-bulk capability; slower release (4-6 days avg)
Case Study: Electronics Import from China via Long Beach
Scenario: Tech startup importing 1 container (40' HC) of Bluetooth speakers from Shenzhen. HTS 8518.22.0000. Declared value: $42,000 (FOB). First import under new IOR.
Timeline:
- Day -4: ISF filed with accurate manufacturer, HTS, and stuffing location
- Day -1: Entry summary transmitted to CBP; continuous bond on file
- Day 0: Vessel arrives LBCT; automated terminal notification sent
- Day 1 AM: CBP selects shipment for intensive exam (first-time importer flag)
- Day 1 PM: Container moved to CES (exam station)
- Day 2: Exam complete; CBP also requests FCC compliance documentation (Bluetooth devices)
- Day 3: FCC certification submitted; cargo released
- Day 4: Container picked up and delivered to warehouse in Ontario, CA
Outcome: Total clearance: 4 days from arrival. Exam fee: $320. Key lesson: First-time importers should pre-stage regulatory docs (FCC, FDA, CPSC) even if not initially requested—speeds resolution of holds.
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
❌ Filing Entry After Vessel Arrival
LA/LB terminals have tight free time (4-5 days). Late filing = demurrage charges ($150-300/day). File 48+ hours before arrival.
❌ Generic Product Descriptions
"Electronics" is not sufficient. Describe: "Wireless Bluetooth speakers, model XYZ, lithium-ion battery." Vague descriptions = auto-hold.
❌ Not Preparing for UFLPA Scrutiny
Solar, cotton, tomatoes, polysilicon from China face Xinjiang forced labor holds. Document entire supply chain with factory audits.
❌ Missing FCC/CPSC Certifications
Wireless devices, toys, and consumer electronics require pre-import certifications. Have docs ready at time of entry.
Get Local LA/LB Customs Support
Fast Clearance at Los Angeles & Long Beach
We clear 1,500+ containers monthly through LA/LB terminals. Same-day release for 92% of our clients' compliant shipments.
- ✓ Pre-arrival filing for all major carriers
- ✓ Direct relationships with APM, LBCT, Everport
- ✓ Electronics/toys compliance expertise (FCC, CPSC, FDA)
- ✓ UFLPA documentation support for high-risk goods