Los Angeles, United States
Air freight in Los Angeles
Ziem Logistics books air freight to and from Los Angeles via Los Angeles International (LAX). We arrange pick-up and delivery in the Los Angeles area and prepare the customs entries before the cargo flies. For air freight to and from the United States we issue our own air waybills.
Airports, seaports and connections in Los Angeles
- AirportLos Angeles International
LAX - AirportOntario
ONT - SeaportPorts of Los Angeles and Long Beach
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the main air cargo airport on the US West Coast, with heavy freighter and belly capacity to Asia and the Pacific. Ontario International Airport (ONT), in the Inland Empire east of Los Angeles, is a fast-growing cargo airport close to the region's large warehouse districts. By sea, the neighbouring Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in San Pedro Bay together form the busiest container port complex in the United States and the main US gateway for trade with Asia.
The Alameda Corridor is a dedicated rail line carrying containers from the San Pedro Bay ports to the rail yards near downtown Los Angeles, from where they continue east. Trucks use I-710, I-110, I-405 and I-5, while I-10 and State Route 60 lead to the Inland Empire distribution centres around Ontario, Riverside and San Bernardino. Traffic congestion is a real planning factor for delivery windows.
Operational logistics facts for Los Angeles
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | Freighter and belly capacity to Asia and the Pacific | Main West Coast air cargo gateway |
| Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach | FCL/LCL containers from Asia | Busiest container port complex in the US |
| Ontario International Airport (ONT) | Air cargo close to Inland Empire warehouses | Shorter trucking to the main distribution centres |
| Alameda Corridor rail line | Port-to-rail container transfer | Efficient rail link for inland destinations |
Industries in Los Angeles and how we support them
Southern California imports large volumes of consumer goods, apparel and electronics from Asia and has a strong aerospace and defence industry around El Segundo, Long Beach and the high desert. The entertainment industry regularly ships camera, lighting and stage equipment on a temporary basis. We support these flows with air freight under our own air waybills via LAX and ONT, FCL and LCL sea freight through the San Pedro Bay ports, Next Flight Out for aerospace parts and On-Board Courier for prototypes. For temporary equipment we prepare the customs documents, including ATA carnets where applicable.
Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier in Los Angeles
Next Flight Out means your shipment travels on the first available flight to or from Los Angeles International (LAX), booked and documented by our operations desk.
An On-Board Courier is the option when even that is too slow or the goods need to stay in sight: a courier travels with the shipment and delivers it to the consignee in the Los Angeles area.
Booked directly with the airline
For the United States we issue the air waybill ourselves. The booking, the shipment data and the advance cargo information come from one desk, which reduces handovers and keeps the documents consistent.
Customs clearance in the United States
Ziem network
Customs clearance in the United States is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
For air freight to and from the United States we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in the United States need an importer of record number and, for most formal entries, a customs bond.
Frequently asked questions
Should my shipment arrive at LAX or Ontario?
LAX has the widest range of international flights, while Ontario (ONT) is closer to the Inland Empire warehouses. We look at the origin, available capacity and the final delivery address, then book the most suitable option under our own air waybills.
Can you handle urgent aerospace parts into Los Angeles?
Yes. For aircraft on ground or production-critical parts, we book Next Flight Out with the import data filed in advance and arrange direct delivery to the hangar or plant. For the most critical items, an On-Board Courier is available.
How do you deal with traffic congestion for deliveries in the Los Angeles area?
We plan pick-ups and deliveries with local road partners who know the area's traffic patterns and agree delivery windows with the consignee in advance. Where useful, we route via Ontario to avoid the most congested corridors.
How do I get a quote for air freight to or from Los Angeles?
Send us the origin, destination, goods description, weight and dimensions. Our operations desk replies with a routing via Los Angeles International (LAX) and an itemised quote.