Shipping from China to Los Angeles—Best FBA Shipping Rates and Times

Shipping goods from China to Los Angeles is one of the busiest trade routes in the world — and for good reason. Los Angeles is the main entry point for products coming into the U.S. West Coast, making it the first stop for thousands of importers, e-commerce sellers, and Amazon FBA businesses.

The big question most SMEs ask is simple: what’s the cheapest and most reliable way to ship? The short answer is ocean freight, especially full container loads (FCL). But if you want a balance of low cost and minimal hassle, many businesses now prefer sea + truck (known as “haika”) — a hybrid service that takes your goods by ship to Los Angeles and then directly by truck to your warehouse or Amazon fulfillment center.

In this guide, we’ll break down the main shipping methods, costs, transit times, and step-by-step tips so you can choose the best option for your business.

• LA is the primary west-coast gateway; choose the mode based on cost vs. urgency.
• Ocean FCL is lowest cost per unit for bulk; LCL suits small volumes but adds handling time.
• Air and express are faster (2–8 days) but cost more per kg — use for urgent FBA restocks.
• Multimodal options (sea + express / sea + trucking) balance speed and cost for SMEs.
• Always confirm Incoterms, FBA routing, and required documents before booking.
• Get at least three live quotes and include surcharges in comparisons.
• Use a licensed U.S. customs broker for Los Angeles to avoid holds and fines.
• Insure high-value shipments and double-check HTS code classification to calculate duties.

Table of Contents (no anchors)

• Overview
• Shipping Modes Explained
• Cost & Transit Time Comparison (table)
• Step-by-step: Ship to Amazon FBA (LA)
• Best Practices for SMEs & FBA Sellers
• Customs, Docs & Insurance
• Example Pricing Scenarios
• FAQ

Shipping Modes Explained

Ocean FCL (Full Container Load)

Best when you fill a container (20' / 40'). Lowest unit cost for large volumes. Lead time usually ≥ 30 days from factory pickup to LA delivery (door-to-door longer).

Ocean LCL (Less than Container Load)

For small shipments. Goods consolidate at origin and deconsolidate at destination, which adds to handling time and cost per unit.

Air Freight

Faster (2–8 days) but costs more per kg. Good for urgent, high-value, or low-weight shipments.

Express

Fastest (1–5 days) for small parcels and documents. Highest cost per unit.

Sea + Express / Sea + Trucking

These multimodal methods combine sea freight to the U.S. West Coast (USWC) with truck or express courier for final delivery. Popular for SMEs needing a balance of cost and speed.

Cost & Transit Time Comparison (table)

**Note:** Prices are estimates; always get a real-time quote that accounts for surcharges and seasonality.

Step-by-step: Ship to Amazon FBA (LA)

1. Confirm FBA destination:** Determine the correct Amazon fulfillment center and its requirements.
2. Choose your Incoterm:** **EXW / FOB / DDP** affects cost allocation. Most SMEs use FOB or EXW and a forwarder to handle export.
3. Get quotes:** Request quotes for ocean (FCL/LCL), air, and multimodal (sea+truck / sea+express). Include all surcharges.
4. Prep & label:** Ensure compliance with Amazon's labeling and carton requirements (or use a prep service).
5. Export customs:** Supplier or forwarder handles export clearance in China.
6. Ocean/Air transit:** Track using booking number; verify ETA.
7. Import customs:** A U.S. customs broker files the entry, pays duties, and gets clearance at the Port of Los Angeles.
8. Final mile delivery:** Arrange trucking to the Amazon FC or 3PL and schedule an appointment as required.
9. Receiving & reconciliation:** Confirm pallet/carton count upon arrival and reconcile any discrepancies.

Best Practices for SMEs & FBA Sellers

• **Plan your inventory:** Forecast demand in advance to avoid last-minute air freight.
• **Consolidate:** Fill containers where possible to lower per-unit cost on sea freight.
• **Compare total cost:** Include BAF, PSS, AMS/ISF, and THC, plus final mile delivery fees.
• **Negotiate:** Build a relationship with a forwarder for better terms on repeat business.
• **Use a 3PL:** Use a 3PL or bonded warehouse for value-added services (e.g., labeling, bundling).
• **Verify HTS codes** for accurate duty calculations; misclassification adds to landed cost.
• **Insure your cargo** for high-value shipments.

Customs, Docs & Insurance

**Key documents:** Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading / AWB, Certificate of Origin (if required), FBA paperwork.

**ISF (Importer Security Filing):** Mandatory for U.S. ocean imports — must be filed in advance.

**Duties & Taxes:** Use the correct HTS code to classify products and estimate duties.

**Insurance:** Recommended for most shipments; **All-Risks** coverage at 110% of **CIF** value is standard.

Example Pricing Scenarios (illustrative)

Small urgent restock — 500 kg:

Air freight estimate: $2–6 per kg → $1,000–$3,000 (plus handling & brokerage).

LCL sea: lower cost but 30–45 days door-to-door; price depends on consolidation and CBM.

Full 40' container (bulk inventory):

Market-dependent; illustrated range $1,500–$4,500+ per 40' depending on season and surcharges.

Always request live quotes from freight forwarders and factor in duties, brokerage, and final mile delivery in landed cost.

What's the cheapest way to ship from China to Los Angeles?

Short answer: For most businesses, the cheapest way to ship from China to Los Angeles is ocean freight — preferably a full container (FCL). If you want a balance of low cost and low hassle, go with a trusted forwarder who offers “sea + truck” ( haika) door-to-door service.

Why FCL is cheapest

A full container spreads fixed costs (booking, port fees, fuel surcharges) across all your goods, so the cost per unit drops a lot.

If your shipment hits roughly 10–15 CBM (or gets close to a full container), FCL usually beats repeated LCLs.

What “sea + truck” ( haika) means

Ship by ocean to the U.S. West Coast (LA/Long Beach), then move the cargo by truck to your warehouse or Amazon FC.

It’s cheaper than air and a lot simpler than managing separate customs and last-mile carriers yourself.

Great for SMEs who want low cost with minimal fuss.

FCL vs LCL in plain terms

FCL: One container for your stuff only. Less handling, less damage risk, better per-unit price.

LCL: You share container space. Good for small loads but more touchpoints, longer times, and extra fees.

If you want the easiest option (and don’t mind a little extra cost)

Ask for door-to-door (all-in) quotes from forwarders who include export, import customs, trucking, and delivery.

Consider DDP only if you don’t want to deal with customs — but expect a higher price because someone else covers duties and risk.

Step-by-step checklist (do this every shipment)

Figure out volume (CBM), weight, value, and special needs (temperature, fragile).

Decide priority: cost, speed, or convenience. (Cost → FCL; Convenience → door-to-door haika; Speed → air/express.)

Get 3+ all-in quotes: FCL, LCL, haika, and air/express. Make sure surcharges are listed.

Confirm Incoterm (FOB/EXW/DDP) so responsibilities are clear.

Prepare docs: commercial invoice, packing list, B/L or AWB, any certificates, and FBA labels if shipping to Amazon.

Choose a forwarder, sign service terms, and confirm insurance cover.

Track shipment, confirm ISF for ocean, and schedule trucking/appointment for delivery.

Check goods on arrival and file insurance claims quickly if anything’s wrong.

Quick tips to save money & hassle

Pack smart to reduce CBM — better cube = lower cost.

Consolidate orders so you can fill containers more often.

Negotiate a rate or monthly deal with a forwarder if you ship regularly.

Use a forwarder with Amazon FBA experience if you ship to Amazon. They’ll handle labels, appointments, and common pitfalls.

Always calculate landed cost: product + freight + duty + brokerage + last-mile + FBA fees.

Example (2 CBM Electronics, China → Los Angeles)

FAQ 

LA-based questions that are most relevant to SMEs and Amazon FBA sellers.

What is the difference between DDP and DDU?

DDP means the seller is responsible for all shipping, insurance, and duties. DDU means the buyer is responsible for clearing customs and paying duties. For control and cost transparency, many SMEs use FOB (supplier loads vessel) or EXW with a trusted forwarder. DDP shifts more cost/responsibility to the seller.

How do I ship correctly to Amazon FBA in LA?

Confirm Amazon routing, ensure correct labeling, use a forwarder experienced with FBA, and schedule delivery appointments if required.

Do I need a customs broker at the Port of Los Angeles?

Yes. A licensed U.S. customs broker handles entry filing, duties, and helps avoid detention or fines.

What extra surcharges should I expect?

Common surcharges include BAF (bunker adjustment), PSS (peak season), THC (terminal handling), and AMS/ISF filing fees.

How can I reduce shipping costs?

Consolidate shipments, plan earlier, compare multiple forwarders, and consider sea + express for balanced cost and speed.

Should I insure my cargo?

Yes — insure especially for high-value or fragile shipments. Consider All-Risks coverage at 110% of CIF value.

What documentation do I need for import?

Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading / AWB, any product certificates, and FBA paperwork if shipping to Amazon.

What is sea + express and when to use it?

Sea + express uses an ocean leg to the USWC then an express courier for final delivery. Use it when you need faster final-mile than pure sea but want lower cost than full air.

How do I estimate landed cost?

Landed cost = product cost + international freight + insurance + duties + US brokerage + final mile delivery + any FBA fees. Always calculate to set correct pricing.