By Los Angeles Customs Broker · Import & Customs Guides
If you import from China, odds are your cargo comes through the San Pedro Bay ports. Los Angeles and Long Beach are the primary US gateway for transpacific trade, which makes a port-native broker especially valuable for China importers.
The Ocean Journey
Goods from China typically move by ocean freight, full container or consolidated LCL, on a transpacific sailing of a couple of weeks to the LA ports. Your ISF is due before that cargo loads in China, so the clock starts at origin, not arrival.
Tariffs and Section 301
Goods from China may carry additional Section 301 tariffs on top of the normal duty, depending on the product and its classification. This is exactly why correct HTS classification matters so much for China imports, the difference between codes can be significant.
Clearing at the LA Ports
When your vessel arrives, we clear the entry, handle any exam or agency holds, and coordinate drayage off the terminal. Because we work these ports daily, we file ahead of arrival to keep your China cargo moving and your demurrage down.
First Time Importing From China?
Many first-time importers start with a supplier found online and quickly hit the reality of ISF, tariffs, and classification. We walk you through it so your first China shipment clears cleanly. See our import clearance service.