Port of Los Angeles shipping means moving your cargo through the busiest container port in the Western Hemisphere: seven container terminals, separate breakbulk, auto and bulk berths, and on-dock rail to the rest of the US. If you are shipping from Dubai to Los Angeles, your container lands at one of these terminals in San Pedro Bay, clears US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and leaves by truck or rail. Below: the terminals, the CBP rules you must meet before the cargo even sails, the port's truck rules and how we prepare a UAE shipment so it clears on time. We ship both from Dubai to Los Angeles and from Los Angeles to Dubai.
Port of Los Angeles: key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operator | Los Angeles Harbor Department, a department of the City of Los Angeles, governed by the Board of Harbor Commissioners |
| Customs authority | US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) |
| UN/LOCODE | USLAX |
| Location | San Pedro Bay, 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles |
| Size | 7,500 acres (4,300 land, 3,200 water), 43 miles of waterfront |
| Main channel depth | 53 ft |
| Cargo terminals | 25, including seven container terminals |
| Ship-to-shore container cranes | 85 |
| Rail | 122 miles, including five on-dock railyards and a classification yard; 20-mile Alameda Corridor |
| Containers 2025 | 10.2 million TEU (record: 10.7 million in 2021) |
| Cargo value 2025 | $301 billion |
| Megaship calls 2025 (13,000+ TEU) | 146 |
| Share of US containerized trade 2025 | 17% (31% with the Port of Long Beach) |
| Ranking | No. 1 container port in the Western Hemisphere for 26 years in a row (2000 to 2025) |
| Advance filing for ocean cargo | ISF 10+2, no later than 24 hours before the cargo is loaded on the vessel |
| Los Angeles to Dubai | Shipper or its agent files the EEI in AES; UAE duty 5% of CIF for most goods plus 5% import VAT |
Port of Los Angeles explained: what it is and who runs it
The Port of Los Angeles sits in San Pedro Bay, in the Harbor District that covers San Pedro, Wilmington and Terminal Island. It was founded in 1907 and is a department of the City of Los Angeles. The port works as a landlord to more than 200 leaseholders, so private companies run the terminals while the Harbor Department owns the land and builds the infrastructure.
The Port of Long Beach is right next door. Together they form the San Pedro Bay port complex, but they are separate ports run by different cities. Check which one is on your booking: a box for Long Beach is not picked up at a Los Angeles terminal.
Most of the port's trade is with Asia. In 2025 Northeast Asia made up 59% of its cargo and Southeast Asia 30%, with the India subcontinent, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean at 3%, 3% and 2%. For a shipper in Dubai, that makes the choice of carrier service worth checking closely: ask how many transshipments it has and which terminal it uses.
Which container terminals does the Port of Los Angeles have?
The port lists seven major container terminals. Your carrier's service decides which one your box uses, and the arrival notice names it.
| Container terminal | Berths |
|---|---|
| APM Terminals Pacific | 401 to 406 |
| Fenix Marine Services | 302 to 305 |
| Everport Terminal Services | 226 to 236 |
| Yusen Terminals | 212 to 225 |
| TraPac | 136 to 147 |
| WBCT LA TiL Terminal | 121 to 127 |
| WBCT China Shipping (Holding) NA | 100 to 103 |
Each terminal sets its own gate hours and pickup appointment rules. A practical rule: give the trucker the terminal name and berth from the arrival notice, not just "Port of Los Angeles".
Breakbulk, auto and bulk terminals
Not everything moves in containers. The port lists separate terminals for other cargo.
| Cargo | Terminal or operator | Berths |
|---|---|---|
| Breakbulk | SSA Marine | 54 to 55 |
| Breakbulk | Port of Los Angeles | 153 to 155 |
| Breakbulk | Pasha Stevedoring and Terminals | 174 to 181 and 206 to 209 |
| Automobiles | WWL Auto | Listed by the port |
| Dry bulk | Rio Tinto Minerals, CalPortland, SA Recycling | Listed by the port |
The port handled 91,862 automobile units in 2025. Its top containerized imports that year were furniture, auto parts, plastic products, apparel and electronics, and its top exports were recyclable paper, pet and animal feed, soybeans, recyclable metal and automobiles.
What cargo can you ship to Los Angeles from the UAE?
| Cargo type | How it usually moves | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| General goods | FCL or LCL to one of the seven container terminals | ISF, customs bond, terminal appointment |
| Food and chilled cargo | Reefer containers | Set temperature, FDA or USDA requirements, fast pickup |
| Machinery, steel, equipment | Flat racks or open tops, or breakbulk to the SSA or Pasha berths | Lifting points, lashing, California road permits for oversize loads |
| Vehicles | Ro-Ro to the auto terminal, or in containers | Vehicle documents and admissibility rules of other US agencies |
| Dangerous goods | IMDG-declared containers with carrier acceptance | UN number, SDS, DG declaration, hazmat-qualified trucker |
| Cargo for inland US states | Container railed from on-dock or near-dock yards | Rail booking, clear in Los Angeles or move in bond |
FCL or LCL: which suits shipping from Dubai to Los Angeles?
- FCL (full container load). You book a whole 20ft or 40ft container. It suits larger volumes and cargo you want sealed from origin to door.
- LCL (less than container load). Your cargo shares a container. The box is unpacked at a warehouse after it lands, and then your part is released. It suits small volumes but adds handling and another party to the release.
With LCL, each house bill needs its own ISF, and the consolidator (stuffer) and container stuffing location are two of the ten data elements. We pass those to the US broker as soon as the box is stuffed. Our guide to FCL vs LCL shipping costs shows where the break-even point usually sits.
Shipping from Dubai to Los Angeles: our part and yours
We work from the UAE side. We book space with carriers from Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port, prepare and check the export documents, arrange trucking and UAE export clearance, and plan DG and breakbulk cargo. In the US, the importer of record or a licensed US customs broker files the entry, and we work with the consignee's broker or a clearing agent they choose.
[AMIR-FACT: the carrier services we book from Jebel Ali to Los Angeles, which Los Angeles terminal they usually discharge at, and our typical port-to-port and door-to-door transit days on this lane]
Ask us for the current sailings for your cargo ready date. Published averages online vary widely and go out of date fast. For the full lane, covering every US port and air options, see our USA route guide.
ISF 10+2 for Los Angeles cargo: what must be filed before loading
The Importer Security Filing, or 10+2, applies to cargo arriving in the US by ocean vessel. It does not apply to air cargo. The deadline is tied to loading in the UAE, not to arrival in Los Angeles.
Who files the ISF and when is it due?
The ISF Importer, or its agent such as a licensed customs broker, files it. CBP defines the ISF Importer as the party causing the goods to arrive in the US by vessel: typically the owner, purchaser, consignee or their agent. The filing is due no later than 24 hours before the cargo is laden aboard the vessel bound for the US. Break bulk cargo exempt from the 24-hour rule files 24 hours before arrival, and bulk cargo needs no ISF.
The 10 data elements and where they come from
| No. | Data element | Usually supplied by |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seller | UAE shipper |
| 2 | Buyer | US importer |
| 3 | Importer of record number or FTZ applicant ID | US importer or broker |
| 4 | Consignee number(s) | US importer or broker |
| 5 | Manufacturer (or supplier) | UAE shipper |
| 6 | Ship to party | US importer |
| 7 | Country of origin | UAE shipper |
| 8 | HTSUS number, 6-digit level | Broker, checked with the shipper |
| 9 | Container stuffing location | Forwarder or shipper at origin |
| 10 | Consolidator (stuffer) | Forwarder or consolidator at origin |
The "+2" is filed by the carrier: the vessel stow plan and container status messages. The stuffing location and consolidator may follow later, but no later than 24 hours before the vessel reaches the first US port.
Penalties and bond
CBP may issue liquidated damages of $5,000 per violation for a late, inaccurate or incomplete ISF. It can also withhold release, refuse a permit to unlade, or order "do not load" at origin. The ISF needs bond cover: continuous, single transaction or ISF stand-alone. Send the US broker the seller, manufacturer, HS code and origin at booking.
US customs clearance at the Port of Los Angeles
US entry is a two-part process: release of the goods, then the entry summary for duty and statistics. A licensed customs broker usually files both electronically.
Entry documents and deadlines
Within 15 calendar days of arrival at a US port of entry, these entry documents must be filed:
- Entry manifest (CBP Form 7533) or application for immediate delivery (CBP Form 3461), or another release form the port director requires.
- Evidence of the right to make entry, such as the bill of lading.
- Commercial invoice, or a pro forma invoice if the commercial invoice cannot be produced.
- Packing lists, if appropriate.
- Other documents needed to decide whether the goods may enter.
The entry summary (CBP Form 7501) is filed and estimated duties are deposited within 10 working days of entry. The entry must be backed by a bond posted with CBP, and a broker may let you use its bond. Goods may only be entered by their owner, purchaser or a licensed customs broker, and CBP holds the importer of record responsible for the entry's accuracy.
| Step | Deadline | Who acts |
|---|---|---|
| ISF 10+2 | 24 hours before loading at origin | ISF Importer or broker |
| Stuffing location and consolidator | 24 hours before arrival at the first US port | ISF Importer, with data from origin |
| Entry documents | Within 15 calendar days of arrival | Owner, purchaser or licensed broker |
| Entry summary and duty deposit | Within 10 working days of entry | Importer of record or broker |
Duty, fees and exams
Duty depends on the HTSUS code and origin of each product. Check the current rate for your exact code in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, including any additional duties in force on arrival. CBP also collects a merchandise processing fee on formal entries, which has a minimum and maximum per entry, and a harbor maintenance fee of 0.125 percent of cargo value, paid at entry on imports.
After entry, CBP may examine the shipment or waive the exam. Exams check value, origin marking, invoicing, quantities and prohibited goods. Food, plants and animal products may also need approval from agencies such as the FDA or USDA. Budget time for an exam on a first shipment.
Dangerous goods and project cargo through Los Angeles
The breakbulk berths run by SSA Marine and Pasha give you an option for cargo that does not fit a container. Cargo that is too tall or wide for a standard box but within a flat rack's limits goes on a container service, which usually means more sailings.
When you ship project cargo to Los Angeles with us, we plan it in this order:
- Collect drawings, weights, dimensions and centre of gravity for each piece.
- Choose flat rack, open top or breakbulk, and get carrier acceptance.
- Tell the US broker and trucker early, because oversize road moves in California need permits.
- Line up customs before arrival so the cargo leaves the terminal quickly.
See our break bulk and project cargo service for the origin side.
For dangerous goods, the IMDG Code governs the sea leg. You need a correct UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group, a Safety Data Sheet, a signed DG declaration, and UN-approved packaging, labels and placards. US hazardous materials rules apply to the truck leg, so the consignee's trucker must be able to carry your class. Our dangerous goods shipping team confirms carrier acceptance before you commit to a sailing.
Trucks and rail: getting your container out of the port
Clean Truck Program rules
Every drayage truck entering a Port of Los Angeles marine terminal must be on the Ports Drayage Truck Registry (PDTR) and meet California's drayage truck law and the port tariff.
| Rule | What it means for your cargo |
|---|---|
| New PDTR registrations must be model year 2014 or newer | Your consignee's trucker must use a compliant truck |
| Clean Truck Fund rate of $10 per TEU, collected since 1 April 2022 | Paid by the cargo owner or its agent, not the driver |
| Zero-emission trucks are exempt from the rate | No Clean Truck Fund charge on those moves |
| Low NOx trucks registered by 31 December 2022 are exempt until 31 December 2027 | Ask the trucker which kind of truck it uses |
The Port of Long Beach set the same Clean Truck Fund rate, so the charge applies on either side of the bay.
Rail to inland US
The port has five on-dock railyards and a classification yard, and the 20-mile Alameda Corridor carries trains from the port to the rail network inland. A decision rule: for Southern California, truck from the terminal. For inland states, ask whether your carrier's service offers a rail move, and decide early whether to clear in Los Angeles or move in bond to an inland port of entry, which CBP allows.
How to ship from Dubai to the Port of Los Angeles: step by step
- Send us the cargo details: commodity, HS code, weight and volume or dimensions, packing, cargo ready date, UAE pickup address and your Incoterm.
- Confirm the US side: importer of record, customs broker, and whether a continuous or single transaction bond is in place.
- Choose a service. We compare carrier services from Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port and the Los Angeles terminal each one uses.
- Book space. For DG, reefer or out-of-gauge cargo we get carrier acceptance first.
- Send ISF data to the US broker well before loading. We add the stuffing location and consolidator.
- Clear export in the UAE. We file the export or re-export declaration with the invoice, packing list and certificate of origin, and gate the container in before the cut-off.
- Check the bill of lading against the invoice and ISF, then release it after sailing.
- US entry. The broker files the entry and entry summary, pays duty and fees, and handles any exam.
- Pickup. The consignee's PDTR-registered trucker books the terminal appointment, delivers, and returns the empty within free time.
Our article on Incoterms 2020 for sea freight explains who pays for each step under FOB, CFR, CIF and DAP.
How to ship from the Port of Los Angeles to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Los Angeles to Dubai, with arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah port. We book the space with the carrier and run the UAE side. The US export papers stay with the shipper or its US agent, because we have no office in the US.
The US export side
- Electronic Export Information (EEI). The US Principal Party in Interest (USPPI) or its authorized agent files it in the Automated Export System (AES). For vessel cargo, the filing citation must reach the carrier 24 hours before the cargo is loaded at the US port.
- Small shipments. EEI is generally not needed when the goods under one Schedule B number, from one USPPI to one consignee, are worth $2,500 or less. The rule applies per Schedule B number, so the shipper's agent checks each line.
- Pickup. The shipper or its trucker delivers the box to the Los Angeles terminal named on the booking, inside the receiving window. Under the port's Clean Truck rules, the trucker must be registered with the port.
The UAE import side
The import declaration goes to Dubai Customs. A company with a Dubai Customs business code can file it, or a licensed clearing agent with the owner's authorisation. Dubai Customs asks for the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and any permit from the authority that controls restricted goods, and the carrier's agent needs the bill of lading before it issues the delivery order. Customs duty in Dubai is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes. Import VAT is 5% of the customs value, and a VAT-registered importer accounts for it on its VAT return through the reverse charge.
- Send us the shipper's details in the US, the cargo, the HS code, the Incoterm and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space from Los Angeles to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah and send the booking and cut-offs to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker collects the empty, stuffs it and delivers the box to the Los Angeles terminal on the booking before the cut-off.
- The shipper or its US agent files the EEI in AES and gives the carrier the filing citation 24 hours before loading.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list before the carrier issues it.
- We file the UAE import declaration before the ship arrives.
- We arrange payment of the duty and VAT.
- We collect the delivery order from the carrier's agent in the UAE.
- We truck the cargo to your site and return the empty container inside free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Los Angeles to Jebel Ali/Khalifa/Sharjah and our real transit days in this direction]
Free time, demurrage and detention in Los Angeles
Carriers give free days for their containers, and terminals set their own free storage. After that, demurrage runs while the full box stays in the terminal and detention while you keep it outside. Rates and free days differ by carrier, terminal and container type, so read them on your quote and arrival notice. File the ISF and entry early, book the truck before free time starts, and ask for extra free days on a first shipment. Our article on demurrage and detention shows how the charges build up.
Checklist before you ship to Los Angeles
- US importer of record named and customs broker appointed.
- Bond in place for both the ISF and the entry.
- HS code checked against the HTSUS.
- Seller, buyer, manufacturer, ship-to party and origin identical on all documents.
- ISF filed at least 24 hours before loading.
- Commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin issued in the UAE.
- Goods marked with their country of origin where CBP requires it.
- Other agency approvals checked for food, plants or wood packaging.
- For DG: SDS, DG declaration, packaging, labels and carrier acceptance.
- Terminal confirmed and a PDTR-registered trucker booked.
Common mistakes on the Dubai to Los Angeles lane
- Late ISF. Filing after loading risks $5,000 in liquidated damages and a hold.
- Mixing up Los Angeles and Long Beach. They are separate ports with separate terminals.
- Mismatched parties. Different sellers or manufacturers on the ISF, invoice and bill of lading draw CBP questions.
- No bond. The broker cannot file the entry without one.
- Non-compliant trucker. A truck not on the PDTR cannot enter the terminal.
- Forgetting the Clean Truck Fund. Budget $10 per TEU unless the truck is exempt.
Los Angeles or New York and New Jersey: which US port fits your cargo?
| Your situation | Port to look at first | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Consignee in California or the western states | Los Angeles | Short truck leg from the terminal |
| Consignee in inland western or central states | Los Angeles, with on-dock rail | Rail through the Alameda Corridor |
| Consignee in the New York area or the Northeast | New York and New Jersey | Avoids a long cross-country inland move |
| Breakbulk for the West Coast | Los Angeles | Dedicated breakbulk berths at SSA Marine and Pasha |
We can price more than one US port so you can compare the total cost to your door.
Frequently asked questions
Who operates the Port of Los Angeles and its terminals?
The Los Angeles Harbor Department, a department of the City of Los Angeles governed by the Board of Harbor Commissioners. It acts as landlord to more than 200 leaseholders, and private companies run the terminals.
How many container terminals does the Port of Los Angeles have?
Seven: APM Terminals Pacific, Fenix Marine Services, Everport Terminal Services, Yusen Terminals, TraPac, WBCT LA TiL and WBCT China Shipping. The port has 25 cargo terminals in total.
Are the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach the same?
No. They sit side by side in San Pedro Bay and form one port complex, but they are separate ports run by different cities. Your booking and arrival notice show which one your cargo uses.
Do I need an ISF for a shipment from Dubai to Los Angeles?
Yes, for ocean cargo. The ISF Importer or its broker must file it no later than 24 hours before the cargo is loaded at the UAE port. Air cargo does not need an ISF.
How long do I have to clear cargo after it arrives in Los Angeles?
Entry documents are due within 15 calendar days of arrival, and the entry summary with estimated duties within 10 working days of entry. File before arrival to avoid demurrage.
What is the Clean Truck Fund rate?
$10 per TEU on nonexempt trucks, collected since 1 April 2022 and paid by the cargo owner or its agent. Zero-emission trucks are exempt.
Does the Port of Los Angeles handle breakbulk and project cargo?
Yes. The port lists breakbulk berths operated by SSA Marine and Pasha Stevedoring and Terminals, plus a port-run breakbulk berth. Out-of-gauge pieces can also move on flat racks through the container terminals.
How deep is the main channel at the Port of Los Angeles?
The main channel is 53 feet deep, and the port received 146 ships of 13,000 TEU or more in 2025.
Can you ship from Los Angeles to Dubai?
Yes. We book space from Los Angeles to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah, the shipper or its US agent files the EEI, and we clear the cargo through UAE customs and deliver it. Most goods pay 5% customs duty on the CIF value plus 5% import VAT.
Get a quote for Port of Los Angeles shipping
Send us your cargo details and we will come back with sailing options and a price from the UAE to Los Angeles. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a DG, breakbulk or first-time US shipment. You can also read about our Dubai freight forwarding team, our main origin Jebel Ali Port, and our sea freight service.
Sources
- Port of Los Angeles: Facts and figures (size, channel depth, terminals, cranes, rail, 2025 volumes, trade routes, market share)
- Port of Los Angeles: About (location, landlord model, Long Beach, 2021 record)
- Port of Los Angeles: Container terminals (berths, Alameda Corridor)
- Port of Los Angeles: Breakbulk terminals (operators and berths)
- Port of Los Angeles: Clean Truck Program (PDTR, Clean Truck Fund rate, exemptions)
- CBP: Importer Security Filing 10+2
- CBP: Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements (timing, ISF Importer, $5,000 liquidated damages)
- CBP: ISF FAQ 2.0 (10 data elements, bonds, updates)
- CBP: Importing into the United States (entry documents, deadlines, bond, exams, user fees)
- CBP: Importer and exporter tips (importer of record, brokers, HTS)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (export documents)
- Wikipedia: Port of Los Angeles (UN/LOCODE)
- 15 CFR 30.4: EEI filing timeframes (24 hours before loading for vessel cargo)
- 15 CFR 30.37: EEI exemptions ($2,500 per Schedule B number)
- Dubai Customs: FAQ (customs business code, clearing agents with owner authorisation)
- UAE Government portal: Customs duty (5% of CIF, alcohol 50%, cigarettes 100%)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide (5% import VAT on the customs value, reverse charge)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026